Most common 1998 Dodge Intrepid problems
Share of the 377 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Intrepid complaints by model year
Best Intrepid years: 2003, 2004, 2002. Years to avoid: 2000, 1999, 2001, 1995. Compare all years →
1998 Dodge Intrepid recalls (3)
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.
Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
On certain passenger vehicles, seat back recliner bolt breakage can occur resulting in the seat back reclining unexpectedly.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the recliner bolts. Owner notification began on April 23, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle description: passenger vehicle. Some passenger air bag module assemblies are missing some required components.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag module in these vehicles.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1998 Dodge Intrepid:
Throttle control failure
Based on the low failure rate, the absence of failures over the past year, the absence of injuries, and odi's field investigation of incident vehicles, a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.the agency will take further action if warranted…
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…
What 1998 Dodge Intrepid owners say
Engine & cooling all 198 →
While driving suddenly a puff of smoke came from the engine. When this occurred consumer pulled off the road, to let the engine cool down. Then , consumer drove slowly home. The next day vehicle was towed to the dealership, and dealership indicated that engine blew out. The consumer was told that this was a standard failure with these vehicle's engines. The engine's were redesigned in the newer model year vehicles. The consumer request reimbursement for the faulty engine.
. Hello. My wife and I own a 1998 Chrysler Intrepid. I say Chrysler instead of Dodge because it is canadian built and they are called chryslers. We had 73,000 miles on it when it suddenly failed on us. My wife was on the freeway heading to work. The oil light came on and she pulled over immediately. Well, the engine stopped before she could even come to a complete stop. We had it towed to a Chrysler dealership. They told us the engine had no oil and it seized up. Well, I know the engine had oil. We just had it changed 2 weeks prior. The car never burned oil. Nor was there ever any leaking evident underneath it. I have receipts to prove many of the oil changes. We had them done every 3 thousand miles. So I called the corporation. I was treated very rudely. …
Brakes all 40 →
Dt*: the contact stated the brake pedal was depressed while traveling at 50 MPH and it went completely floor. The brake returned by a spring, but there was only around 2% of braking power. The automatic transmission was down shifted, but the transmission failed to move from the drive position, although the lever indicated an auto stick position. The accelerator pedal was released and the vehicle eventually slowed to a stop on its own. The vehicle was driven slowly to a brake repair shop where it was determined the brake line was corroded and ruptured. The brake line was replaced. The vehicle has not been inspected concerning the transmission problem. The manufacturer has not been alerted. The vehicle is being used in a salt belt state and there have been other corrosion issues, such as the master cylinder and brake rotors. Updated 07/05/06.
The engine failure is what I'm sick about. We paid the car off in dec. 2002, and we were happy with a relatively new, low mileage car. However, in January, 2003 the oil light started to blink. Checked oil - fine. In February had oil changed. Pro team told us oil dirty - they did a flush. Oil light still blinking! End of March into April car started to blow a little black smoke, progressed to stuttering and stalling. Took car to Chrysler dealer (five star) first they said something with carburator was gone - fixed $1,l00!took car home, no change(?)back to dealer, then they told us engine (2.7 liter) was shot. Needed transportation. Had new engine done. Paid $5,500 - credit card - no other way. Being angry and sick about it ever since.
Transmission & drivetrain all 36 →
1998, Dodge, Intrepid was parked in front of house. Ignition off, key out, in park. Car rolled away due to failure of the floor shift parking interlock, struck house down the street. Car was totaled. Notified by mail of recall for this problem after the accident. Contacted daimler Chrysler who will not repair or replace car.
I was getting my kids out of the car and my son got in the front seat and was able to move the car out of park and into reverse on my automatic transmission. I am able to move the shift into all gears without the car runnig or a key in the ignition. My car with my son rolled out of the driveway and across a street and into a lake on top of a park bench.. I was not parked on a hill. I was in flat ground. Dodge reports I have a inoperative shift interlock and they are not responsible for the problem, but. 685,000 Dodge cirrus, strattus, Chrysler sebring, and Plymouth breeze in 1998 were all recalled for this problem. Cars with automatic tranmissions can have a nonfunctional interlock system causing them to roll away. After the my car came to a rest my son fell out of the car into the water. It was listed as NHTSA recall number 98V183. …
1998 Dodge Intrepid engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 28 / 22 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 26 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Dodge Intrepid a good car?
Based on 377 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Intrepid rates average: 23% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Intrepid at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Dodge Intrepid?
The engine & cooling — 198 complaints, 53% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the brakes (40) and transmission & drivetrain (36).
How many recalls does the 1998 Dodge Intrepid have?
There are 3 recalls for the 1998 Dodge Intrepid, the most recent from January 13, 2004 (floor shift). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Intrepid?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2003, 2004 and 2002. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000, 1999, 2001 and 1995. See the full Dodge Intrepid years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Intrepid problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 85,000 miles; 8% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.