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Owner report · 1998 model year

1998 Dodge Intrepid

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The Verdict

Worst problem area

Engine

Engine leads by volume: 198 of 376 complaints (53%) mention it.

Complaints filed rose from 344 in 1997 to 376 in 1998.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints
376
Recall campaigns
5
EPA fuel cost per year
$2,850–$3,100
Combined MPG
20–22

Complaints by model year

  1. 5051996
  2. 3441997
  3. 3761998
  4. 9971999
  5. 1,0652000

Where owners report problems

  1. Engine198 (53%)
  2. Brakes40 (11%)
  3. Transmission & Drivetrain35 (9%)
  4. Visibility & Lighting35 (9%)
  5. Electrical34 (9%)
  6. Steering29 (8%)
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category19961997199819992000vs. 1998 Large Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)3,100–3,4503,100–3,4502,850–3,1002,850–3,3002,950–3,300
Combined MPG18–2018–2020–2219–2219–21
City / Highway MPG15–17 / 2415–17 / 24–2517–18 / 26–2816–18 / 25–2816–18 / 24–27
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)444–494444–494404–444404–468423–468
Complaints filed5053443769971,065Not compared
Recalls issued22569Not compared
Crash-involved complaints3225304035Not compared
Fire-involved complaints2226121322Not compared
Injuries reported2322252931Not compared
Deaths reported02530Not compared
Configurations compared33224

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 1998 Dodge Intrepid have?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Dodge Intrepid?

Engine: 198 of 376 NHTSA complaints (53%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Dodge Intrepid get?

EPA rates it 20–22 MPG combined across 2 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Dodge Intrepid?

EPA estimates $2,850–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (2)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd62.7LFront-Wheel DriveRegularLarge Cars18 mpg (high)28 mpg (high)22 mpg (high)$2,850 (low)404 g/mi (low)
Configuration 2Automatic 4-spd63.2LFront-Wheel DriveRegularLarge Cars17 mpg (low)26 mpg (low)20 mpg (low)$3,100 (high)444 g/mi (high)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine1981405
Transmission & Drivetrain355020
Fuel System50110
Electrical341530
Brakes402030
Steering293010
Suspension, Wheels & Tires150000
Airbags & Restraints24170160
Driver Assistance & Speed Control146010
Body, Seats & Latches191030
Visibility & Lighting350000
Other190200

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 (5)

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

    Campaign 09E025000 · May 11, 2009

    Defect
    DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
    Consequence
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy
    DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    Campaign 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009

    Defect
    SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
    Consequence
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy
    SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

  • POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

    Campaign 04V021000 · Jan 13, 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.

  • SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

    Campaign 03V035000 · Feb 5, 2003

    Defect
    ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
    Consequence
    IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

  • AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

    Campaign 98V049000 · Mar 9, 1998

    Defect
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLE. SOME PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING SOME REQUIRED COMPONENTS.
    Consequence
    IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG MODULE IN THESE VEHICLES.