1996 Dodge Intrepid Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 83about this part
- Share
- 16%of 505 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 83 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Dodge Intrepid, 16% of the 505 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The failure of my air conditioning system. Observed smoke coming out of the vents. Turned air conditioning system offbriefly. When I turned the system on again it no longer worked. The system was putting out warm air. I take it to be repaired and it only worked a few days. The result is no air condition system, inoperative. I have put spent so much money to get the system fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10081242, filed 2004-07, 55,000 miles“My 1996 Dodge Intrepid received a clean air waiver in the years 2003 and 2004. The obd could not be read by the emissions stations. For the past two years I have tried to rectify this problem without resolution. The clean air force says the software is updated and should be readable and Dodge insists it's the caf software. There is a technical service bulletin (18-005-01) for 1996 Dodge vehicles failing for readiness. I keep failing for readiness, and the dealer nor clean air has further information. …”
NHTSA complaint #10184602, filed 2007-03, 75,000 miles“I own a 1996 Dodge inrepid with 61,255 miles on it as of today ( 1/16/2003). This vehicle has had three failuers of the water pump at a cost to repaire of $500.00 each time to repaire. I have also had the front suspension fail, which cost $1185.00 to repaire. This vehicle is not driven hard, mileage will show maybe 10,000 miles per year. I feel by the number of complaints on your system that the manufacture has had more than normal number of complaints for both these problems. I think a recall is called for, and some sort of remibrusment for the cost of repaires made. …”
NHTSA complaint #10002787, filed 2003-01, 61,255 miles“I have a 1996 model Dodge Intrepid. About a year and half ago, in one rainy morning I drove my car to work, just a few minutes driving on the road at approximately 50 MPH, the engine quit working... I had the car towed to the garage and finally took it to the chrysler dealership to get it checked, and was told I have a intake gasket problem, it cost me more than $300 to get it fixed. However, similar problem still comes and goes mysteriously after that. The most recent occurrence was about 2 month ago. I keep taking to the auto shop but no one can tell me what is wrong with the car. It is a 3. …”
NHTSA complaint #10023038, filed 2003-06, 90,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10246579, filed 2008-10, 148,689 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10191460Feb 26, 2016Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 79 | 61% |
| 2003 | 61 | 58% |
| 2002 | 207 | 63% |
| 2001 | 520 | 79% |
| 2000 | 785 | 74% |
| 1999 | 698 | 70% |
| 1998 | 198 | 53% |
| 1997 | 53 | 15% |
| 1996 | 83 | 16% |
| 1995 | 67 | 11% |
| 1994 | 72 | 10% |
| 1993 | 51 | 13% |
Other parts of the 1996 Dodge Intrepid
152 complaintsFuel system
87 complaintsSuspension
44 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
44 complaintsBrakes
37 complaintsAir bags
34 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsExterior lighting
23 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaintsEquipment
16 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Dodge Intrepid
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology