1998 Dodge Intrepid Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe engine failure on the 2.7L V6, frequently reported as oil sludge, a sudden knocking noise and loss of power with little or no warning, and often handled by replacing the engine. Secondary reports cover brake problems such as a pedal that goes to the floor or ABS warning lamps, flickering or self-activating lights, and overheating with coolant loss. Complaints arrive across a wide mileage spread rather than clustering at one interval.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Engine failure and oil sludge (2.7L V6)

   • 170 complaints (45%)
   • median 84,200 mi at 6.5 yrs old (129 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $5,000 (median of 31 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2011

   Complaints describe a loud ticking, clanking or knocking noise that appears with little warning, sometimes with the oil light flashing even though the oil level was reported as full. In many accounts the engine then stalled or seized while driving, taking power steering and power brakes with it, and the vehicle had to be towed. Owners say shops and dealers attributed the damage to sludge build-up inside the engine and recommended replacement rather than repair, and several report repeat failures on a replacement engine. Many owners state oil changes were done on schedule. Reported from roughly 50,000 miles into the 130,000-mile range, with many complaints in the 60,000 to 110,000 band and no single trigger condition.

   What to check: Listen for ticking or knocking at idle and on a cold start, and check the oil for a metallic sheen or sludge on the dipstick. Ask for oil change records and whether the engine has already been replaced or rebuilt.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 1998 Dodge Intrepid and the engine is just about to go. I haven't driven it in 3 months to prevent complete failure. The car has only 68,000 miles on it and it sounds horrible! I had it looked at and the mechanic told me it was ready to blow anytime. There is no excuse for a car with this low mileage to completely fail.”

   NHTSA complaint #10032630, filed 2003-08, 68,000 miles

   “One week after having oil changed in my 98 Dodge Intrepid 2.7l,while driving, engine revved real high in cruise control and made a loud clunking noise and died before stopping. Check engine light never came on. Towed the car to Dodge dealership where they told me that the oil was metallic and that the engine needed to be replaced. The car has only 108,000 miles on it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10095904, filed 2004-10, 108,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal fade, line leaks and ABS faults

   • 49 complaints (13%)
   • median 91,750 mi at 6.3 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2013

   Owners describe a brake pedal that sinks toward the floor with little or no stopping response, in one case stopping the car with the parking brake. Others report brake fluid leaking from rusted lines near the exhaust, an ABS warning light with a failed wheel sensor, and rotors that warped and produced vibration or grinding. Dealers in some complaints had no replacement sensor in stock, and owners say the vehicles were left unrepaired. Mostly reported between roughly 75,000 and 150,000 miles, on cars driven in everyday conditions.

   What to check: Look at the steel brake lines above the rear axle and along the floor for rust or seepage, and check pedal feel with the engine running. Ask when the fluid, pads and rotors were last changed and whether the ABS light is on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Since buying the vehicle in 1998, I have experienced issue with: electrical interior and exterior lights going on and off while driving (dealer has not been able to locate problem) rack and pinion had to replace at 36,000 miles I have to replace the brakes every year, they constantly are making a grinding noise. Have had to replace power window mechanism on driver side when first bought vehicle, now the automatic power down on drive side is not working as well as not being able to use power unlock and lock for rear driver passenger door. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10155215, filed 2006-04, 31,000 miles

   “The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealership, where it was determined the pump for the cooling system failed. This caused water to get into the engine, therefore, the engine must be replaced. Also, the brakes warped causing vibration in the front end. The vehicle was not seen by a mechanic for this and neither problem was repaired.”

   NHTSA complaint #10152302, filed 2006-03, 100,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Lights flicker, stay on, or come on by themselves

   • 14 complaints (4%)
   • median 100,943 mi at 6.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2006

   Complaints describe interior and exterior lights that flicker or switch on and off while driving, and headlights that turn on with the key removed. Several owners report repeat switch replacements without a lasting fix, and some dealers said they could not locate the fault. Related accounts mention power windows and door locks that stopped working, and intermittent stalling or shutdowns that shops could not reproduce. Reported from about 30,000 up to roughly 120,000 miles, with no consistent weather or driving pattern described.

   What to check: Cycle the headlights, dash lights, windows and door locks with the engine running and watch for flicker or delay. Ask whether ignition switch, headlight switch or window regulators have been replaced, and check for battery drain if the car sits.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Headlights will turn on and off intermittently while driving , or will turn on by themselves without the key in ignition. My mechanic have replaced 3 headlight switches but its not working. Also the car has major electrical problems from internal lamps to headlights. I have read lot of review from other users. I can file a lawsuit with user consumers if I have to against Dodge. This thing is very annoying and Dodge should pay for this.”

   NHTSA complaint #10172631, filed 2006-11, 113,500 miles

   “Vehicle was repaired for ignition problems and intermittent interior lights flickering. Ignition switch and dimmer light switch replaced. Ignition is still sporadic and vehicle shuts off when in drive(also sporadic). Dealership aware of problem but unable to repair/locate problem despite charging for repairs to fix problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10032675, filed 2003-08, 121,190 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Overheating and coolant loss

   • 20 complaints (5%)
   • median 89,874 mi at 6.5 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2008

   Owners report overheating, coolant trails or steam, and in some accounts a water pump, radiator or cooling fan motor that failed first. Complaints describe a repair of the cooling system followed by the engine quitting shortly afterwards, with mechanics reporting water entering the engine or blown head gaskets. In some cases head gasket replacement did not resolve knocking that followed. Reported from around 58,000 to 130,000 miles, sometimes shortly after a cooling system repair.

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for residue or staining around the water pump, radiator seams and head gasket area, and confirm the cooling fan runs when warm. Ask whether the water pump or radiator has been replaced and whether the engine has overheated before.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought a Dodge Intrepid in april 08. It had 53,000 miles, in great condition and spotless carfax. The car started making problems at 57000 miles. It overheated, so we got the radiator fixed which solved my problem for a week or so. After that week, while driving on the long island expressway my engine quit on me, and started steaming when trying to turn it back on. There was no warning of that happening whatsoever. No lights on, no engine overheating, nothing. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10246442, filed 2008-10, 58,000 miles

   “Engine failure: I had the car for 7 months. It suddenly made a high pitch squeeling noise. I pulled over, popped the hood to see if I could find what was causing the noise. The noise stopped so I drove to my destination another 11 miles. I watched the temp. Gauge and the engine never overheated. I parked at my destination and noticed a trail of water and antifreeze. I never started it again. I towed it to the repair shop and they told me that the engine was blown, unrepairable, cost could be close to $5,000 for a new engine. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10071005, filed 2004-01, 91,000 miles

Buying note. This model year draws repeated owner reports of engine failure on the 2.7L V6, so a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the engine and a look at maintenance records are worth the cost. If the car still has its original engine, budget for the possibility of a major repair and weigh that against the asking price.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.