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 1999 Dodge Intrepid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On 10/15/03 I was involved in a head on collision and my air bags did not deploy. I drive a 1999 Dodge Intrepid and the other vehicle was a 2000 Jeep cherokee. The other vehicle had both air bags deploying. The intial impact was on my driver's side headlight. The entired hood and front fender was removed. I was taken to the hospital and my injuries were a collapsed lung and 3 broken ribs. I was there for 3 days. Both the officer invetigating the crash and the body shop said that it should have deployed. I am off work for 3-4 weeks and have no vehicle now. Had the air bags deployed my injuries could have been a lot less severe. Ak
Aecm memory did not register upon impact in accident. The airbag "did not deploy" at "impact". Major damage to the main frame in front of the car. The main bar is pushed back into the radiator, in which the radiator is pushed back close to the motor. The front end was destroyed, headlights were pointed in different directions. I just recently (dec 05) had my seat repaired again, in which it was under recall, for the recliner bolt that kept breaking.
Dt*: the contact stated that the air bags in her vehicle did not deploy in a front end collision at 45 MPH. There was braking prior to impact. There was a police report taken and the vehicle was driven away from the scene. The driver sustained minor injuries from the seat belt. There was damage to the hood, bumper, and driver side fender. The driver side door will not open. The vehicle has not been seen by a mechanic. Updated 3/20/2006 -
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. While driving approximately 75 MPH, the air bags deployed without warning or impact. There were no injuries sustained. The check engine indicator illuminated before the failure. The vehicle was not towed, repaired, or taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 172,000.
This vehicle had been serviced during the month of December for a recall problem that occurred before. My wife was in a accident and the front air bags didn't deploy. The front end was badly damaged. My wife also was jerked before the seat belt grabbed her.
Driver's side seat back unexpectedly reclined while driving. As a result, driver's foot hit accelerator pedal and vehicle went into an intersection, hitting another vehicle. None of the airbags deployed.
Car #2 made a left turn at a red light in front of me and was hit on their passenger's side at approx. 40 MPH with no air bag deployment in my car. Major front end damage including bent frame rail to over $10,500. Daughter had slight concussion and I had chest pain from seatbelt. Chrysler said their was no problem with airbags?
Driving 55-60mph when large truck in front, with no tailgate, lost an axle it was carrying as part of a load. It rolled off the truck & struck the vehicle in front. Air bags failed to deploy. Vehicle ran over axle, and was severely damaged. Driver suffered nerve damage to neck and shoulder.
Consumer was in a collision that consisted of consumer rear ending another vehicle at 30mph, and air bags did not deploy, causing consumer to sustain many injuries. At one point consumer was on a life support machine. Manufacturer was contacted.
Consumer was traveling 45mph and hit colvert with front driver side & broke an axle. Vehicle flipped over & airbags never deployed. Dealer was contacted. Consumer found out there were 3 sensors & 2 had to set off.
Airbag complaints in other Intrepid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1999 Dodge Intrepid?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Dodge Intrepid, 2% of the model year's 997 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Dodge Intrepid airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1999 Dodge Intrepid, though it has 4 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 1999 Dodge Intrepid airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 117,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 0 fires and 14 injuries and 2 deaths 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.