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 1998 Dodge Intrepid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Our son got in the car before his mother. He moved the shifter and the car started rolling. There was no key in the ignition and we have found that this shifter moves easily without a key. My son was inside the car and it started rolling. My wife was walking toward the car then ran and opened the door trying to get inside to step on the brake. My wife is 25 weeks pregnant and was pulled from the car and hit by the door and drug approximately 20 feet. My son then jumped out of the car into a ditch while the car was still rolling and went and got help for his mother. My son is fine and so far there seems to be no harm to the baby. My wife has multiple bumps and bruises and a major road rash but is doing okay. We would like to be contacted asap regarding this situation. We have contacted Dodge corporation also. Please call us at [phone]. Thank you.
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.
Within the last month our family has experienced two transmission failures in two different Chrysler vehicles we own. The first, a 1999 Chrysler sebring, had the transmission catastrophically fail after only 60,000 miles. The second, a 1998 Dodge Intrepid, had the clutches in the transmission fail after 79,000 miles. Both of these cars were extremely well cared for and driven normally. Both vehicles have been serviced according to the service manual supplied with the car. As a consumer, its hard to see how a company can charge $2,000.00 to replace a part of a car that failed without reason. I will never buy a Chrysler product again.
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.
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.
I believe my vehicle overall is defective. We purchased this vehicle new and have had nothing but problems with it. Had to replace rocker arms and engine at 51,000 miles. Have since replaced computer, transmission, intake manifold, cooling system, catalytic converter and now have a "check engine" light on again with codes relating to cooling and the catalytic converter. This vehicle is just an accident waiting to happen. Who knows what will go wrong with it next.
Consumer received recall 04V021000 concerning transmission lever and linkage:floor shift failure. When vehicle was off and the key out of the ignition floor shift gear could be moved out of park. This make/ model, and year was on recall, but consumer's vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.
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 1998 Dodge Intrepid?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1998 Dodge Intrepid, 10% of the model year's 377 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 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 1998 Dodge Intrepid transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries 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.