1996 Dodge Intrepid
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Steering
Steering leads by volume: 152 of 505 complaints (30%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (18) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 589 in 1995 to 505 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | vs. 1996 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,300 | 3,100–3,450 | 3,100–3,450 | 2,850–3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–21 | 18–20 | 18–20 | 20–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–18 / 24–26 | 15–17 / 24 | 15–17 / 24–25 | 17–18 / 26–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–468 | 444–494 | 444–494 | 404–444 | |
| Complaints filed | 589 | 505 | 344 | 376 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 48 | 32 | 25 | 30 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 27 | 22 | 26 | 12 | |
| Injuries reported | 45 | 23 | 22 | 25 | |
| Deaths reported | 7 | 0 | 2 | 5 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge Intrepid have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1996 Dodge Intrepid?
Steering: 152 of 505 NHTSA complaints (30%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Dodge Intrepid get?
EPA rates it 18–20 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Dodge Intrepid?
EPA estimates $3,100–$3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 17 mpg (high) | 24 mpg | 20 mpg (high) | $3,100 (low) | 444 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 15 mpg (low) | 24 mpg | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 16 mpg | 24 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 83 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 44 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 87 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 32 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 37 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 152 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 56 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 40 | 24 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 33 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 35 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 29 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT · Campaign 04V021000 · Jan 15, 2004
Defect: 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.
Consequence: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM · Campaign 98V184000 · Aug 17, 1998
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THE FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM CAN LEAK FUEL FROM SOME OF THE SEALING O-RINGS OR FROM HAIR LINE CRACKS IN THE THERMOSET FUEL INJECTION RAIL.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL O-RINGS AND REINFORCE THE OUTLET (PASSENGER) SIDE FUEL RAIL. VEHICLES SHOWING FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE OUTLET FUEL RAIL MUST HAVE THE OUTLET RAIL REPLACED WHICH INCLUDES CHANGING THE UPPER AND LOWER INJECTOR O-RINGS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS OR FROM A CRACKED FUEL LINE, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.