Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Dodge Intrepid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1997 Dodge Intrepid. The contact stated that the key falls out of the ignition while the vehicle is parked or in motion. The failure can occur while driving at any speed. On August 8, 2007, the vehicle rolled back and struck another vehicle when the key fell from the ignition. There was very little damage to the other vehicle. Safety recall number 04V021000 (power train:automatic transmission: lever and linkage:floor shift) was referenced. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 147,000.
After parking the vehicle and exiting, with the door opened the vehicle rolled and the door knocked the consumer down and the vehicle rolled away and crashed. A recall was received on the shift interlock 04V021000. Shift interlock inoperative.
My 1997 Dodge Intrepid transmission has gone 3 times since I've owned it I purchased it in early 1999 with 48000 miles the 1st time the shifterwould not go all the way in to park and at 62000 miles it went and all I had was reverse. I had a warranty through the car dealer with a 250.00 deductible. They rebulit transmission and at 84000 the samething happen 13mos. Later and of coarse no warranty so I had to pay full shot this time at the sum of $ 1,300.00. Now it seems that it is starting to act up again .what to do? Other than this this has been the most dependable running car as far as any thing else goes I have ever had. And yes I do have the filter & fluid changed when it should. …
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked in a parking lot, upon attempting to enter the vehicle, the occupant's purse became entangled with the column gear shift allowing the gear shift to move out of place without the keys in the ignition. The vehicle rolled backwards down an incline where a bystander entered the vehicle and engaged the emergency parking brake. There was a NHTSA recall, # 04V021000, regarding the automatic transmission floor shift. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The manufacturer was notified. Updated 10/18/2006 -
There was a gas odor in the cabin of the vehicle when the air vents were on. This was due to the fuel leakage recall 98V184000 but the vehicle identification number was outside the remedy scope. At 112,000 miles the consumer was able to remove keys from the ignition without the vehicle being in park. This was the same defect as stated in the floor shift ignition switch recall 04V021000 but this vehicle had a column shifter and the vehicle identification number was outside the remedy scope.
I have a 1997 Dodge Intrepid. From about 25,000 miles to its current 58,000+ miles, every so often the transmission fails to engage from park to drive, or park to reverse. When this happens, I usually place my foot on the brake and rev up the engine -- the transmission will then usually engage -- with a clunk. When that doesn't work, I usually turn the car off and restart it. The transmission then usually engages immediately. I have taken my car into the dealership twice to have this problem addressed - but they have been unable to even attempt to fix the problem. I am concerned that if my foot slipped off the brake while I rev up the engine - in an attempt to get the transmission to engage -- that I could accidently run over a loved one or hit another car. I feel that the NHTSA and Dodge should be aware of this transmission defect. …
The first 10 minutes of driving in weather of 50 deg f and colder, the transmission would suddenly shift out of whatever gear its in and into neutral. I would have to rev the engine a little bit and it would shift back into gear. The transmission fluid had a burned smell to it so I changed the filter and fluid. I use atf+3 7176, as recommended. But that didn't solve the problem. Then I thought it was because the car was cold, so before driving, I would let the car warm up for 5-10 minutes. That didn't solve the problem either. I've been researching the transmission problems on this vehicle and have found many complaints in regards to this transmission. There are even tbs on NHTSA, 21-07-98 & 21-02-98a, relating to my problems. I wish there is a recall on these. I can't believe a transmision would fail with only 62000 miles. …
In May of 2004, I purchased a 1997 Dodge Intrepid es. I later found out on June 6, 2004 that there was recall on a part in my car. The recall was for a new floor shift ignition. So I took my car to the northwestern Dodge dealership in ferndale, mi to have this manner handled. On that day I was told that it would take only a few weeks for my part to come in for my recall to be taken care of. To this day, October 3, my car has still not been taken care of. I called the people at the dealership many times to see what the situation is and they would give the runaround. I am a college student and I am very fearful for the safety of myself and my automobile if the car begins to move on its own. This is the only source of transportation that I have and I pray that I don't lose my car because its' makers won't do what they are supposed to do. …
I had a recall performed on vehicle last year at martin Dodge in bowling green, ky. After getting the services rendered I noticed several problems. One was that the turn signals were no longer operable, automatic transmission would not shift past second gear and would miss gears repeatedly, and ABS brakes failed. Also noticed that suspension was worse after they performed suspension recalls. I have tried on several occasions to contact the dealership and they only suggested that I bring it for a diagnostic at my cost, even though the problems existed after getting the recalls fixed. I incurred court cost of $166.00 because of improper equipment and the buy, here, pay here lot was requesting $2,280 for a car that I had no choice but to junk it because no being able to pass inspection for the road. I would appreciate anything you could do to aid in me absorbing the cost of this situation.
It started on my way home from work. The car wouldn't go over 30mph, it would't shift into anoter gear. So I drove to the nearest garage and was going to have the car towed to my garage, but the long I thought about it, it would have cost more in the long run, so I let that garage take a look at the car.when I called and they said they wern't sure what the problem was but the had to reset two codes the machine read, and they don't know why it happened,etc... Well 3 days later it happened again. It is Monday dec,6 1999 after a week they tell me it is a relay switch. I took it to a transmission shop this time. So after $400.00 later a week not having transportation, besides my husband! I'm not very pleased. Thinking that I was buying a "new" car I didn't purchase the extended warranty!! I've learned my lesson!! Thank you!!
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
On certain passenger vehicles, the floor shifter ignition-park interlock May fail and allow the shifter to be moved out of the park position with the key removed. An inoperative interlock May also allow the key to be removed when the shifter has not been placed in the park position.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new load-limiting push rod into the floor shifter lever of the affected vehicles. Owner notification began on June 14, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA investigations
Auto trans ignition-park interlock
The manufacturer reports above are based on daimlerchrysler?s (dc) analysis of model year (my) 1998 (population = 356,384) and 1999 (population = 486,948) ja, jx and lh family subject vehicle data (earlier mys excluded).the population number includes all mys.the precise number of duplicates between odi and dc reports cannot be determined due to missing or incomplete information.the fatality incident involved an…
Transmission complaints in other Intrepid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Dodge Intrepid?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Dodge Intrepid, 15% of the model year's 344 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (30 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Dodge Intrepid transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-021 (floor shift, Jan 13, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Dodge Intrepid transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.