Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
Vehicle caught on fire from under the hood while idling and parking on the driveway. The local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. The cause of the fire was still undetermined. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified.
The ignition lock on this vehicle will surrender the key in any position. Though the dealer has replaced both a push rod in the shifter and the shifter itself per Chrysler recall campaign c45, the key continues to come out of the lock in the acc, off, run, and start positions. The dealer's service department suggested the fault is in the lock cylinder, though that was not covered under recall campaign c45 and was not replaced. Note that the cylinder will not turn to the lock or acc position without the shifters being in park and the shifter also will not come out of the park position with the lock cylinder in the lock or acc position nor has either of the above failures ever occurred in this vehicle. …
Dt: contact owns a 1998 Dodge Intrepid. The contact stated the main battery harness corroded, forcing the contact to replace the battery every year. The vehicle will stall unexpectedly at any given point while traveling at any speed, and the battery will have to be replaced. The service dealer replaced the cable at consumer's expense. The service dealer and the manufacturer stated that it was not a safety defect within the vehicle and that was why they would not cover the cost of the repair. The contact stated this happened since purchasing the vehicle. The consumer had the battery replaced five times under warranty, therefore, the consumer did not have to cover this expense. Previously, when the car would have this problem the service dealer would only clean the cables to the battery, and this would remedy the problem for about six months.
We have a Dodge Intrepid with the 2.7 motor burning oil a quart a week since we bought the car in 2000 went to the dealer they say it was a leak, low and behold it still burning the oil. Been to dealer several times they say its normal it had 78,000 when we got it, now has over 103,000 still adding oil weekly, also had to replace the entire fan assembly, the thermostat ,also problems with the power window tracks causing the windows not to close properly,tension pulley had to be replaced also the water pump, starter,(note all dealer parts so it isn't cheap to fix)battery cables rotted out Dodge should do or offer something to help fix or rectify all these motor problems but are they are to cheap in my mind.
Ltr fm travis phillips (ky) owner of a 1998 Dodge Chrysler Intrepid reporting defective engine, window off track writer believes vehicle should be recalled reply to the fort wright, ky district office. The vehicle engine blew while the consumer's wife was driving 65 MPH. There was no warning prior to this incident. The consumer indicated that he had the oil changed every 3000 miles and that the oil was just changed prior to the engine failure. The vehicles lights flickered, the windows came off the track when putting them up or down. The seals around the doors fell off. The air/heat only worked when on high. The starter failed.
Since buying the vehicle in 1998, I have experienced issue with: electrical interior and exterior lights going on and off while driving (dealer has not been able to locate problem) rack and pinion had to replace at 36,000 miles I have to replace the brakes every year, they constantly are making a grinding noise. Have had to replace power window mechanism on driver side when first bought vehicle, now the automatic power down on drive side is not working as well as not being able to use power unlock and lock for rear driver passenger door. Automatic transmission leak from hose, have had to replace hose.
The engine is failing, smoking. Upon investigation, it has been found that this is common in 2.7 liter vehciles of this model. In other words, this engine is a lemon. I have also noted that the airconditioning has failed and I will also have to have this repaired. There is also a problem with the ignition that I haven't figure out yet. The power mirror on the driver's side doesn't work and the speaker system has little to be desired. The 3.2 liter engines fair much better after talking with many mechanics, who consequentially are surprised there hasn't been a recall on the 2.7 liter 1998 engines.
Dt: caller got recall letter on trans axle floor shifter ignition/park interlock system #c45. Caller took it to dealer, dealer said they did the recall work, but the caller said it was not fixed. She said she coudn't shift it without a key and she could take the key out while it is in gear. Manufacturer said the work was done, and the problem was something else . They offered no help. Caller said problem is listed on the recall letter but they will not fix it. Caller said one time she forgot to put it in park and took the key out and the car rolled away. She was able to stop the car.
I bought this car on 3/2002. Since I bought it I have replaced the starter three times; had a full front end replacement; new engine put in; new transmission; studs broke from the front tire and while the tire was rolling down the road my card was skidding down the road with my 2 month old granddaughter in the car. Now the electronic system is completely screwed up and the car is not even running. I have all my paperwork where the repairs were done. I believe that Chrysler needs to replace this vehicle "no questions asked" because we have spent over $6,000 fixing this piece of junk.
While driving at any speed vehicle intermittently stalls. After sitting for a few minutes vehicle will start as if nothing has happened. As of October 2003, the consumer had to sit 25 minutes in a parking lot waiting for the vehicle to start. It continued to stall on her driving down the road twice. Consumer questioned why no one could give her an answer as to why this keeps happening and why there's not a recall. In addition, consumer decided to write every time she has a problem with her vehicle because she noticed it wasn't just her vehicle having problems.
Electrical complaints in other Intrepid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1998 Dodge Intrepid?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Dodge Intrepid, 9% of the model year's 377 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Dodge Intrepid electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1998 Dodge Intrepid, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Intrepid electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 101,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 5 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system 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.