What's Wrong with the 2nd Generation (1998–2004) Intrepid?

Intrepid owners have made 1,871 complaints about the 1998–2004 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it dead last in overall reliability, with significant engine and transmission concerns.

Compare With Other Intrepid Generations

Common 1998-2004 Dodge Intrepid Problems

Some of the worst issues 2nd generation Intrepid owners have to deal with.

  1. Stuck in Park

    Can't shift the car into reverse or drive! Now what? This is most commonly reported from Dodge Avenger owners, but there have also been similar complaints about other Dodge makes as well as other Chrysler and Jeep vehicles having a similar …

    Continue reading article "Stuck in Park" Red arrow points at a disassembled gear shifter

  2. Cracked Dashboards

    Is your Dodge dashboard falling apart and breaking into pieces? Have you been watching the cracks grow bigger and bigger with each passing month? Do you feel helpless as your dashboard caves in on itself? Trust me, you're not alone.

    Continue reading article "Cracked Dashboards" A common example of a Dodge Ram dashboard

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

2nd Generation (1998–2004) Intrepid Key Numbers

  1. 7 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 1,871 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 54th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 54 eligible generations.

What Intrepid Owners Say About This Generation

Oil Sludge and Engine Failure in the DaimlerChyrlser 2.7L Engine

Add me to the pile of Dodge owners who had a car that literally became worthless in just seconds ... it lasted me 2 years and about 30,000 miles before the engine simply locked up while I was driving 45mph on the highway (it's never in a nicely lit, easily accessible area, is it...?)

2000 Intrepid Owner in IL

Oil Sludge and Engine Failure in the DaimlerChyrlser 2.7L Engine

Intrepid is 10 years old but I did all the required oil changes in the timely manner. I bring the car into Firestone for a leak and suddenly they are looking at $4000 in engine repairs. Said they saw something similar in an Intrepid a few weeks ago … 2 days later I am driving in the Jewel parking lot and the car quits. I could not restart and I had it towed back to the dealer.

2001 Intrepid Owner

Oil Sludge and Engine Failure in the DaimlerChyrlser 2.7L Engine

I have had engine replaced 3 times, oil is changed every 2500 miles and still oil sludge builds up in the engine what am I to do now ... replace the engine again?

1999 Intrepid Owner in MI