Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Dodge Intrepid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My wife hit a tree head-on going approx. 30 MPH. She suffered injuries to her face, neck, back, wrist and knee. Airbag did not deploy. Contacted Chrysler, they picked-up the car and performed diagnostic evaluation from the computer and sent a letter stating the airbag was not defective. I find it hard to believe that the airbag was not defective as the impact and damage to the vehicle is significant.
Vehicle was in a minor collision. Hit another car in rear at less than 15mph. Air bags deployed hitting driver. Very little front end damage. I do not believe that the air bags should have deployed, and I am concerned for our employees safety. This is the second time we have had an Intrepid deploy air bags at under 15mph.
I ran directly into an abandoned car that I did not see (it was dark outside). The impact to the other car was strong because my daughter's glasses flew off of her face. The impact was mainly on the right front side which if she did not have her seatbelt on, could have caused her to hit the windshield. We went to the emergency service at the hospital and I found out at that time that she had a pain in her neck for a very short period of time directly after the accident, but it left. I am concerned about why the airbags did not deploy.
In two separate head-on collisions on May and November 2000 both frontal air bags failed to deploy. Consumer contacted dealership to see if vehicle was included in recall 98V049000, and was informed that this vehicle was not included in recall due to VIN. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
According to police consumer was driving 40mph when she had a blackout and rearended another vehicle. Upon impact, driver's & passenger's air bags failed to deploy. Seat belt was in use at time. Driver was injured, receiving cuts on head & bruises.
Coming out of driveway driver made a normal stop and brakes completely faile/d, vehicle lost control , resulting in a collision. Seat belts did not tighten, and dual airbags did not deploy.vehicle was totaled.
Vehicle was hit head-on. Upon impact airbags did not deploy, resulting in injury. Manufacturer will be notified. Consumer was injured in accident, the injuries sustained May last the rest of her life.
Consumer was drinving on road at approximately 25 MPH when another vehicle turned in front, causing consumer to hit the other vehicle on passenger's side. Air bags did not deploy. Dealer notified.
Air bag warning light comes on and off when driving. This problem occurs intermittently. The consumer feels that the failure is consistent with a recall he received on his 1999 Dodge caravan.
There is a little shelf on the right side of instrument panel, and had a few coins on that shelf. While making a right turn, the coins fell behind the steering column and the airbag light came on, indicating a problem with the airbag system. An hour later, the airbag light came off. Dealer said if the coins did fall behind the column, and itwas possible the airbag May have deployed if the coins hit a sensor. Please provide further information.
Related recalls
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.
Airbag complaints in other Intrepid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1998 Dodge Intrepid?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Dodge Intrepid, 6% of the model year's 377 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Dodge Intrepid airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-049 (frontal, Mar 9, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Intrepid airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 16 crashes, 0 fires and 15 injuries to air bags 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.