1996 Dodge Intrepid

505 complaints on file, page 1 of 26.

1. Filed Jan 22, 2016Failure Jan 23, 199730,000 milesShelby, NCAir bagsCrash1 injured

   TAKATA RECALL: I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION IN WHICH THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND A PIECE OF METAL WENT THROUGH MY EYE CAUSING IMMEDIATE BLINDNESS AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF THE LEFT EYE. THE PIECE OF METAL WAS PULL OUT IN THE ER. THERE WERE NO OTHER INJURIES. THIS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET IN DETROIT MI TRAVELING ABOUT 20 MPH. I'VE BEEN WEARING A PROSTHETIC EYE SINCE.

   NHTSA complaint 10821794
2. Filed Nov 14, 2013Failure Aug 27, 2007131,937 milesHampton, GAElectrical system

   AFTER PURCHASING CAR FROM AUCTION, WE TOOK FOR EMISSIONS TESTING IN ORDER TO PURCHASE A TAG. WE WERE TOLD THE TEST COULD NOT BE DONE BECAUSE THE COMPUTER HAD NOT FINISHED THE TESTS. WE WERE ADVISED HOW TO COMPLETE THE DRIVING REQUIREMENTS AND TO COME BACK AFTER THAT. AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS THE TESTS STILL SHOWED INCOMPLETE. NOW SIX YEARS LATER THE ODBII STILL WILL NOT COMPLETE AND ACTUALLY RESTARTS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED. AFTER LOTS OF RESEARCH WE DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN WIDESPREAD AND A DEFECT THAT REQUIRES THE ECU TO BE FLASHED WITH UPDATED PROGRAM INFORMATION. THERE IS EVEN A TSB #181897 WHICH COVERED THIS. DEALERS ARE EITHER UNAWARE OF THIS PROBLEM OR WANT TO CHARGE CLOSE TO $100. WE BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD DO THIS SERVICE AT NO CHARGE SINCE IT IS S DEFECT THAT THEY ARE AWARE EXISTS. THERE ARE NO CODES BEING THROWN AND WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO TAG THE CAR FOR MANY YEARS. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10552307
3. Filed Sep 11, 2013Failure May 1, 2012170,000 milesBrookland, ARAir bags, Electrical system

   THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY WHICH AFFECTS THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS & THE HEATING/AC COMPONENT. WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON THE WINDOWS & HEATER/AC STOPPED WORKING. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM IS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE IT DOES NOT LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL WHEN THE IGNITION IS IN THE OFF POSITION. I HAD A 1993 DODGE INTREPID WITH THE SAME AIRBAG LIGHT PROBLEM DESCRIBED ABOVE, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE LIGHT TO GO OFF AT TIMES BY ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH ALLOWED THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS AND HEATER/AC TO WORK UNTIL THE LIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON. THE DIFFERENCE IS I CANNOT GET THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO TURN OFF AT ALL ON THE 1996 MODEL, THE DIFFERENCE BEING BETWEEN THE TWO MODELS IS THAT THE 93 HAD THE GEAR SHIFTER ON THE FLOOR CONSOLE; WHILE 96 IS ON THE COLUMN. THE FACT THAT THE 93 AND 96 BOTH HAVE THE SAME AIRBAG LIGHT AFFECTING THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS & THE HEATER/AC IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MECHANICS THAT ONE THING SHOULD AFFECT THE OTHER, BUT MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT TO BE UNTRUE. IN MY OPINION THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH EITHER THE SENSORS OR SOMETHING IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, OR POSSIBLY THE WIRING WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO POSSIBILITY OF MANUFACTURING ISSUES. THIS DOES POSE AS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE WINDOWS WILL NOT ROLL DOWN AND THE HEATER/AC WILL NOT COOL/HEAT THE CAR AND THE DEFROSTER CANNOT CLEAR THE WINDOWS OF CONDENSATION; WHICH CREATES OBSTRUCTED VIEW. THE NONWORKING HEATER/AC SEVERELY RESTRICTS THE TIMES YOU CAN DRIVE THE CAR, UNLESS YOU WOULD LIKE TO RISK HEAT EXHAUSTION DURING SUMMER OR FROSTBITE DURING THE WINTER. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10543008
4. Filed Nov 1, 2012Failure Nov 1, 2012176,000 milesWaverly, WVElectrical systemFire

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ONCE SHE MERGED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD THE VEHICLE BECAME COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10482896
5. Filed Oct 17, 2012Failure Oct 2, 2012121,289 milesST. Paul, MNFuel/propulsion system

   VEHICLE WAS GETTING SERVICED FOR AN OIL CHANGE WHEN TECHNICIANS NOTICED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE ENGINE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP WHERE THE FUEL RAIL WAS DEEMED TO BE LEAKING GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE/PART WAS LISTED (ACCORDING TO CHRYSLER) AS HAVING BEEN REPLACED IN 1999. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10480792
6. Filed Mar 15, 2012Failure Mar 15, 2012118,550 milesCouncil Bluffs, IASteering

   ON 15MAR12 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30PM I WAS DRIVING AROUND A SLIGHT CURVE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY PULLED TO THE LEFT. I IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED WHILE LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR. AFTER I REGAINED CONTROL, THE STEERING STILL FELT EXTREMELY LOOSE. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10451880
7. Filed Feb 2, 2011Failure Feb 1, 201156,000 milesGreenville, SCSteering

   I HAVE OWNED A 1996 DODGE INTREPID FOR 6 MONTHS NOW AND WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I WAS AWARE THAT THE STEERING WAS A LITTLE LOOSE, WHAT I DID NOT KNOW WAS THAT THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM AS WELL AS MOST OF THE TIE RODS AROUND THEM WERE COMPLETELY SHOT. MY STEERING WHEEL GRINDS WHEN I TURN IT LEFT AND RIGHT NOW AND MY STEERING HAS A HORRIFIC DRIFT WHEN TURNING FROM EXTREME TO EXTREME. THE BUSHINGS ON THE RACK AND PINION (AS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC) ARE COMPLETELY GONE. THE BROKEN PIECES ARE RATTLING AND VIBRATING SO VIOLENTLY THAT THE SHIMMYING I FEEL ON MY CAR IS ACTUALLY CAUSED BY THE STEERING. WHEN I BRAKE AT HIGH SPEEDS (50MPH) THE STEERING PULLS TO EITHER AN EXTREME LEFT OR RIGHT. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE STRUGGLING WITH THESE SAME ISSUE. IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY OWNER OF A 1996 DODGE INTREPID IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. MY MECHANIC SAID TO ME THAT HE HAS NO GUARANTEE THAT MY STEERING WILL WORK RIGHT. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD NOW I'M AFRAID I'LL LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MY GIRLFRIEND MIGHT FREQUENTLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE BUT I AM AFRAID THAT THE STEERING MAY GO OUT WHEN SHE IS DRIVING IT. I SPOKE WITH MY MECHANIC AND I AM IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THE DEFECTIVE PARTS REPLACED. I PLAN TO SAVE THE PARTS THAT ARE DEFECTIVE IN HOPES THAT I WILL GET SOME COMPENSATION FOR THEM. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10380033
8. Filed Dec 26, 2010Failure Jun 13, 2010124,620 milesMercer, PAAir bagsCrash

   THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF IT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME WHEN IT IS ON THE HEATER WINDOWS HORN AND REAR BACK UP LIGHTS AND REAR DEFROSTER DO NOT WORK WITH NO HEATER/DEFROSTER IT IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE ICE OFF THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOWS EVEN WHILE HAVING THE PASSENGER CONSTANTLY TRYING TO SCRAPE OFF THE ICE IT JUST INSTANTLY RE FREEZES CAUSING VERY DANGEROUS AND HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS DUE TO THIS THE CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A DEEP DITCH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND WE HAD TO BE TOWED OUT OF THE DITCH WITH A HOIST AND A LIFT AND BACK TO THE ROAD BY A COMMERCIAL WRECKER FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND HEARD WHEN SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR INFORMATION THIS PROBLEM IS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY THE CLOCK STOP THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH PROMPTED A RECALL ON DODGE AND CHRYSLER MINI VANS OF THE SAME YEAR WHY WASN'T THIS CAR RECALLED TOO? I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THE INTERNET FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM BY OTHER DODGE INTREPID OWNERS THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD ALSO THE FACT THE WINDOWS DON'T WORK CAN CAUSE ENTRAPMENT IN THE VEHICLE

   NHTSA complaint 10373010
9. Filed Dec 4, 2009Failure Jan 5, 2009Berea, KYConnecting

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, PROCEEDING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING. IMMEDIATELY, THE DRIVER STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO BROKEN BOLTS WHICH SUPPORTED THE TIE ROD BUSHING, AND THE RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 177,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10294530
10. Filed Mar 3, 2009Failure Oct 10, 2008160,000 milesCarpentersville, ILFuel system, Gasoline

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR WAS MOVING FASTER THAN NORMAL. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE CHANGED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTORS. HE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V184000, BUT WAS UNAWARE IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 160,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10260605
11. Filed Jan 7, 2009Failure Nov 1, 2007115,000 milesCurrie, MNSteering

    RACK AND PINION PROBLEMS, THE BUSHINGS THAT HOLD THE RACK AND PINION KEEP GOING BAD I'VE HAD THE BUSHINGS REPLACED (NOVEMBER 2007) BUT THEN IT FAILED AGAIN (SEPTEMBER 2008). WHEN EVER I GO AROUND A TURN THERE'S A DELAY IN MY SHEER ALMOST RESULTING IN A CRASH. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10254139
12. Filed Dec 15, 2008Failure Nov 19, 2008143,000 milesRockwell, NCSteering, Front

    IT STARTED OUT MY STEERING WOULD GET REALLY TIGHT AND YOU COULDN'T MOVE IT AT ALL AND IT HAPPENS EVERYDAY NOW WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE RACK-N-PINION AND SO THEY FIXED IT AND ITS STILL DOING IT. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10251846
13. Filed Nov 25, 2008Failure Nov 19, 200898,000 milesPhoenix, AZSteering

    BOLTS HOLDING TIE RODS TO STEERING GEAR (RACK) BROKE. UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS JUST LEAVING MY PARKING LOT AND DIDN'T CAUSE ANY ACCIDENTS AND/OR INJURIES. PAID $700 TO HAVE CAR FIXED. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10249831
14. Filed Nov 5, 2008Failure Nov 5, 2008Dickson, TNSuspensionCrash

    1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD TO HAVE ALOT OF FRONT END WORK DONE ON TIE ROD ENDS AND BUSHINGS WORN OUT THEN WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE BRAKES FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND CAUSED A ACCIDENT WHOLE FRONT END TOTALED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHY IS IT THAT DODGE AUTO AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10247790
15. Filed Oct 24, 2008Failure Oct 7, 2008148,689 milesPlaya DEL REY, CAEngine and engine cooling, Steering, Frame and members, Front

    REPEATED OVERHEATING PROBLEMS RESULTED IN REPLACING MY RADIATOR TWO TIMES, THERMOSTAT THREE TIMES AND THERMOSTAT W/ BREATHER HOUSING TWO TIMES. COOLING SYSTEM INCLUDES EXTERNAL METAL PIPES WHICH HELP CIRCULATE COOLANT TO HEATER. THE PIPES ARE HIDDEN FROM CLEAR VIEW AND WHEN MINE SPRUNG LEAKS DUE TO THEIR PLACEMENT THE LEAKS WERE DIAGNOSED AS BEING BLOWN HEAD/HEAD GASKET BY THREE SEPARATE SHOPS. REPLACEMENT OF PIPES SOLVED OVERHEATING. MOISTURE GETS TRAPPED IN AND AROUND THE FRAME AND SUBFRAME AREAS WHERE THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS ARE LOCATED AND ALLOWS FOR UNNECESSARY PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF ALL THE MOUNTS, BUSHINGS, MAIN FRAME AND SUBFRAME. THIS HIDDEN CONDITION HAS RESULTED IN ALL MOUNTS NEEDING REPLACEMENT, TRANSMISSION DROPPING, FRONT INNER&OUTER TIE RODS AND BUSHINGS GOING OUT, RACK N PINION PROBLEMS AND THE SUBFRAME COLLAPSING. DOCUMENTED RECORDS SHOW THAT FROM 2004 THROUGH 2008 ON AVERAGE I DROVE 7000 MILES A YEAR. IN THAT 28000 MILES I REPLACED ALL MOTOR/TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, ALL 4 INNER&OUTER TIE ROD BUSHINGS/ENDS TWICE, RADIATOR TWICE, THERMOSTAT HOUSING TWICE, COOLANT PIPES ONCE AND HAVE GONE THROUGH TWO SETS OF TIRES. I AM REPLACING SUBFRAME, TRANSMISSION MOUNTS AND FRONT AXLE AGAIN. I CONTINUE FIXING THE CAR BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE IT BUT I AM GETTING VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE STEERING, AXLE OR BRAKES GIVING OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN HEAVIER TRAFFIC. SO CONCERNED MY DOCUMENTATION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO FAMILY MEMBERS IN CASE OF FATALITY RESULTING FROM THE DEFECTS MENTIONED. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10246579
16. Filed Apr 10, 2008Failure Apr 10, 2007198,721 milesWausa, WIRear windowFire

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE REAR DEFOGGER. TEN MINUTES LATER, HE NOTICED SMOKE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FLAMES APPEARED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 198,721.

    NHTSA complaint 10224150
17. Filed Apr 7, 2008Failure Mar 29, 2008100,000 milesVidor, TXSteering

    THE STEERING SYSTEM IN A 1996 DODGE INTREPID TOTALLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO ADVANCED WARNING OF ANY KIND. IT IS BY THE GRACE OF GOD THAT I DID NOT WRECK. THE LEFT BOLT THAT SCREW INTO THE RACK/PIN STEERING BOX STRIPPED OUT AND CAUSED THE RIGHT BOLT TO SNAP CAUSING THE ENTIRE STEERING TO FAIL. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10223530
18. Filed Feb 20, 2008Failure Feb 19, 2008147,000 milesWestbrook, MEAir bagsCrash1 injured

    MY 1996 DODGE INTREPID, WHILE MOVING FORWARD AT APPROXIMATELY 20 - 25 MILES PER HOUR STRUCK AN ABRUPTLY STOPPED VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED LATE. EVEN WHILE WEARING MY SEATBELT, MY FOREHEAD STRUCK THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING INJURY, AND DIRECTLY AFTER THUS MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10218632
19. Filed Oct 10, 2007Failure Nov 1, 2006160,000 milesFulton, NYFuel system, Fuel injection system

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE INTREPID. IN DECEMBER OF 2006, THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIR. HE INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT HE OFTEN SMELLED GAS FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE O-RING IN THE INJECTORS WERE THE SOURCE OF THE FUMES AND THEY WERE REPLACED. IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING THE O-RING, THE MECHANIC NOTICED A CRACK IN THE FUEL INJECTION RAIL. THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED OF A RECALL THAT DESCRIBED THE SAME FAILURE HE WAS EXPERIENCING. HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE VEHICLE ALREADY HAD THE RECALL REPAIRED, THEREFORE THE FAILURE COULD NO LONGER BE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES SHOULD BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY SINCE THEY WERE REPLACED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 174,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10205354
20. Filed Sep 16, 2007Failure Sep 14, 2007Milwaukee, WITie rod assembly, Suspension

    THERE ARE SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AND FRONT COMPONENTS SUCH AS TIE RODS, BUSHING FAILURE- MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS, ETC. STEERING HASN'T BEEN RIGHT FOR YEARS. LOW MILEAGE, STRANGE NOISES, HANDLING. CAR DOESN'T STAY IN ALIGNMENT, WHEEL DOESN'T RETURN TO CENTER, CAR JUMPS OUT OF DRIVING LANE. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10203119