1998 DODGE INTREPID Electrical System Problems

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. *NM

Mileage: 113,500

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. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LEAK FROM HOSE, HAVE HAD TO REPLACE HOSE. *JB

Mileage: 31,000

I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON 3/2002. SINCE I BOUGHT IT I HAVE REPLACED THE STARTER THREE TIMES; HAD A FULL FRONT END REPLACEMENT; NEW ENGINE PUT IN; NEW TRANSMISSION; STUDS BROKE FROM THE FRONT TIRE AND WHILE THE TIRE WAS ROLLING DOWN THE ROAD MY CARD WAS SKIDDING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY 2 MONTH OLD GRANDDAUGHTER IN THE CAR. NOW THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY SCREWED UP AND THE CAR IS NOT EVEN RUNNING. I HAVE ALL MY PAPERWORK WHERE THE REPAIRS WERE DONE. I BELIEVE THAT CHRYSLER NEEDS TO REPLACE THIS VEHICLE "NO QUESTIONS ASKED" BECAUSE WE HAVE SPENT OVER $6,000 FIXING THIS PIECE OF JUNK. *JB

Mileage: 55,000

DT: THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE A COIL PACK REPLACED. THE MECHANIC SAID HE LET THE VEHICLE RUN FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES THEN IT WAS READY TO BE DRIVEN. . ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS SUSPECTED TO BE ELECTRICAL.*AK

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THE MAIN BATTERY HARNESS CORRODED, FORCING THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE BATTERY EVERY YEAR. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL UNEXPECTEDLY AT ANY GIVEN POINT WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED, AND THE BATTERY WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE CABLE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. THE SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY DEFECT WITHIN THE VEHICLE AND THAT WAS WHY THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THIS HAPPENED SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED FIVE TIMES UNDER WARRANTY, THEREFORE, THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE TO COVER THIS EXPENSE. PREVIOUSLY, WHEN THE CAR WOULD HAVE THIS PROBLEM THE SERVICE DEALER WOULD ONLY CLEAN THE CABLES TO THE BATTERY, AND THIS WOULD REMEDY THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS.*AK

Mileage: 82,000

THE IGNITION LOCK ON THIS VEHICLE WILL SURRENDER THE KEY IN ANY POSITION. THOUGH THE DEALER HAS REPLACED BOTH A PUSH ROD IN THE SHIFTER AND THE SHIFTER ITSELF PER CHRYSLER RECALL CAMPAIGN C45, THE KEY CONTINUES TO COME OUT OF THE LOCK IN THE ACC, OFF, RUN, AND START POSITIONS. THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED THE FAULT IS IN THE LOCK CYLINDER, THOUGH THAT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN C45 AND WAS NOT REPLACED. NOTE THAT THE CYLINDER WILL NOT TURN TO THE LOCK OR ACC POSITION WITHOUT THE SHIFTERS BEING IN PARK AND THE SHIFTER ALSO WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE LOCK CYLINDER IN THE LOCK OR ACC POSITION NOR HAS EITHER OF THE ABOVE FAILURES EVER OCCURRED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WITH THE KEY COMING OUT HOWEVER WAS ALREADY OCCURRING BY THE TIME THE RECALL NOTICE WAS FIRST RECEIVED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS JUST NOW TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICING DUE TO A LACK OF ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND SCHEDULING CONFLICTS. *NM

Mileage: 126,000

DT: CALLER GOT RECALL LETTER ON TRANS AXLE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION/PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM #C45. CALLER TOOK IT TO DEALER, DEALER SAID THEY DID THE RECALL WORK, BUT THE CALLER SAID IT WAS NOT FIXED. SHE SAID SHE COUDN'T SHIFT IT WITHOUT A KEY AND SHE COULD TAKE THE KEY OUT WHILE IT IS IN GEAR. MANUFACTURER SAID THE WORK WAS DONE, AND THE PROBLEM WAS SOMETHING ELSE . THEY OFFERED NO HELP. CALLER SAID PROBLEM IS LISTED ON THE RECALL LETTER BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. CALLER SAID ONE TIME SHE FORGOT TO PUT IT IN PARK AND TOOK THE KEY OUT AND THE CAR ROLLED AWAY. SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. *AK

Mileage: 78,000

DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 65 MPH 1998 DODGE INTREPID BLEWUP SO HARD IT EVEN BROKE THE STARTER OFF THE TRANSMISSION BELL HAUSING. THIS WAS A NICE CLEAN TAKEN CARE OF CAR BUT THE MOTERS ARE JUNK AND CHRYSLER SAID TUFF '!@#$% WE DONT CARE . CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE TO FIX EVERY ONE OF THESE WERE ALL BAD. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE IDLING AND PARKING ON THE DRIVEWAY. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS STILL UNDETERMINED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED.*AK

Mileage: 160,000

CONSUMER, WILL PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ON THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD START BUT OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WOULD NOT WORK INCLUDING THE AIR BAG, FAN AND POWER WINDOWS. *NM

THE ENGINE IS FAILING, SMOKING. UPON INVESTIGATION, IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT THIS IS COMMON IN 2.7 LITER VEHCILES OF THIS MODEL. IN OTHER WORDS, THIS ENGINE IS A LEMON. I HAVE ALSO NOTED THAT THE AIRCONDITIONING HAS FAILED AND I WILL ALSO HAVE TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION THAT I HAVEN'T FIGURE OUT YET. THE POWER MIRROR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOESN'T WORK AND THE SPEAKER SYSTEM HAS LITTLE TO BE DESIRED. THE 3.2 LITER ENGINES FAIR MUCH BETTER AFTER TALKING WITH MANY MECHANICS, WHO CONSEQUENTIALLY ARE SURPRISED THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON THE 2.7 LITER 1998 ENGINES.*AK

Mileage: 72,000

OCTOBER, 2002 AND JULY, 2003. HAD TO REPLACE RELAY. LIGHTS INSIDE WERE BLINKING OCCASIONALLY, THEN TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR, ALL ELECTRIC WAS OUT. IT'S NOW MAY, 2004 AND THE LIGHTS ARE BEGINNING TO BLINK AGAIN. I'M AFRAID THE SAME THING IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

LTR FM TRAVIS PHILLIPS (KY) OWNER OF A 1998 DODGE CHRYSLER INTREPID REPORTING DEFECTIVE ENGINE, WINDOW OFF TRACK WRITER BELIEVES VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED REPLY TO THE FORT WRIGHT, KY DISTRICT OFFICE. *PH THE VEHICLE ENGINE BLEW WHILE THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 65 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT HE HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES AND THAT THE OIL WAS JUST CHANGED PRIOR TO THE ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLES LIGHTS FLICKERED, THE WINDOWS CAME OFF THE TRACK WHEN PUTTING THEM UP OR DOWN. THE SEALS AROUND THE DOORS FELL OFF. THE AIR/HEAT ONLY WORKED WHEN ON HIGH. THE STARTER FAILED. *NM

Mileage: 100,943

STARTER WENT OUT.

Mileage: 100,943

REPAIRS WERE DONE TO THE ENGINE ON 3 OCCASIONS, ROTORS 2 OCCASIONS, BRAKES 1 OCCASION, CONTROL ARMS (SUSPENSION) 1 OCCASION, STEERING 1 OCCASION, & ELECTRICAL. ALTHOUGH I ONLY HAVE 54,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED, THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX THE ONGOING ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP MANAGER, ROD HARRIS, ADMITS IT A LIFTER TICKING BUT INSISTS THAT IT IS NORMAL. CHRYSLER GAVE ME AN "ADDED CARE SERVICE CONTRACT" THAT IS GOOD THROUGH 6/26/04 AND TO 75,000 MILES. PLAN CODE IS AD675H. THEY REFUSE TO FIX MY CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME, AFTER THE FIRST THREE ATTEMPTS TO FIX IT, I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CHRYSLER ON 1/12/04. ALSO NOTE THEY STILL HAVE MY VEHICLE TODAY 1/12/04 BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. IT'S BEEN IN SERVICE FOR 5 DAYS. TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON 1/7/04. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE FAILING NOW WITH MY 10 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. *LA

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS. AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW MINUTES VEHICLE WILL START AS IF NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. *AK AS OF OCTOBER 2003, THE CONSUMER HAD TO SIT 25 MINUTES IN A PARKING LOT WAITING FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. IT CONTINUED TO STALL ON HER DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TWICE. CONSUMER QUESTIONED WHY NO ONE COULD GIVE HER AN ANSWER AS TO WHY THIS KEEPS HAPPENING AND WHY THERE'S NOT A RECALL. IN ADDITION, CONSUMER DECIDED TO WRITE EVERY TIME SHE HAS A PROBLEM WITH HER VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE NOTICED IT WASN'T JUST HER VEHICLE HAVING PROBLEMS. *PH

Mileage: 150,000

I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE OVERALL IS DEFECTIVE. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. HAD TO REPLACE ROCKER ARMS AND ENGINE AT 51,000 MILES. HAVE SINCE REPLACED COMPUTER, TRANSMISSION, INTAKE MANIFOLD, COOLING SYSTEM, CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND NOW HAVE A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ON AGAIN WITH CODES RELATING TO COOLING AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS VEHICLE IS JUST AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. WHO KNOWS WHAT WILL GO WRONG WITH IT NEXT.*AK

Mileage: 51,000

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.*AK

Mileage: 121,190

CAR STALLS AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES ABOUT 5 TIMES AND VEHICLE EXPERIENCES AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ACCELERATION ABILITY. CAR COASTS TO A NEAR STOP AND STALLS COMPLETELY LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL. WHILE ENGINE IS HOT VEHICLE WILL NOT START. CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT REMAIN ON LONGER THAN ANY OTHER DASHBOARD LIGHTS. VEHICLE STARTS AGAIN ONLY AFTER SITTING FOR HOURS. VEHICLE WILL ONLY START WHEN IT IS COLD. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. VEHICLE STORES NO CODES FOR MECHANIC TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM.*AK

Mileage: 131,000

WE HAVE A DODGE INTREPID WITH THE 2.7 MOTOR BURNING OIL A QUART A WEEK SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2000 WENT TO THE DEALER THEY SAY IT WAS A LEAK, LOW AND BEHOLD IT STILL BURNING THE OIL. BEEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES THEY SAY ITS NORMAL IT HAD 78,000 WHEN WE GOT IT, NOW HAS OVER 103,000 STILL ADDING OIL WEEKLY, ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FAN ASSEMBLY, THE THERMOSTAT ,ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER WINDOW TRACKS CAUSING THE WINDOWS NOT TO CLOSE PROPERLY,TENSION PULLEY HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO THE WATER PUMP, STARTER,(NOTE ALL DEALER PARTS SO IT ISN'T CHEAP TO FIX)BATTERY CABLES ROTTED OUT DODGE SHOULD DO OR OFFER SOMETHING TO HELP FIX OR RECTIFY ALL THESE MOTOR PROBLEMS BUT ARE THEY ARE TO CHEAP IN MY MIND. *JB

Mileage: 85,000

WE HAVE A DODGE INTREPID WITH THE 2.7 MOTOR BURNING OIL A QUART A WEEK SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2000 WENT TO THE DEALER THEY SAY IT WAS A LEAK, LOW AND BEHOLD IT STILL BURNING THE OIL. BEEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES THEY SAY ITS NORMAL IT HAD 78,000 WHEN WE GOT IT, NOW HAS OVER 103,000 STILL ADDING OIL WEEKLY, ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FAN ASSEMBLY, THE THERMOSTAT ,ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER WINDOW TRACKS CAUSING THE WINDOWS NOT TO CLOSE PROPERLY,TENSION PULLEY HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO THE WATER PUMP, STARTER,(NOTE ALL DEALER PARTS SO IT ISN'T CHEAP TO FIX)BATTERY CABLES ROTTED OUT DODGE SHOULD DO OR OFFER SOMETHING TO HELP FIX OR RECTIFY ALL THESE MOTOR PROBLEMS BUT ARE THEY ARE TO CHEAP IN MY MIND. *JB

Mileage: 85,000

CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WILL BE HARD TO START THE VEHICLE AND THEY WILL HAVE TO TRY NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL START. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

WIRING HARNESS WAS INSTALLED WITH WIRES THAT ARE TOO SHORT, POSSIBLY CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO START AND/OR TO SHAKE WHEN IT DOES START. ALSO WINDOWS WON'T ROLL DOWN AT TIMES. DEALER REPLACED FAULTY STARTER. BUT NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING FURTHER BECAUSE VEHICLE IS OVER 36,000 MILES. EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS PURCHASED. *TT...*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH A FIRE STARTED ON PASSENGER'S SIDE UNDER THE DASH. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CONSUMER REMOVED KEY FROM IGNITION WHILE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE, VEHICLE THEN PROCEEDED TO ROLL BACK, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. *AK

A FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AFTER PARKING. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED FIRE. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CONSUMER WAS ENTERING FREEWAY AT 40MPH AND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CUT OFF & WAS NOT ABLE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE OF THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. VEHICLE ALWAYS STALLED IF AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.*AK

MY CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND SHOULD NOT BE HAVING STARTER TROUBLE. MY MECHANIC HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR THE PART AND THE GENTLEMAN THAT HER SPOKE WITH TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR PRODUCT DEFECTS. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE DODGE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT STARTERS FOR DODGE ARE ON NATIONAL BACK-ORDER. OVER 350 ORDERS. THAT MAKES ME VERY UNCOMFORTABLE.PLEASE RESPOND.*AK

VEHICLE HAD VIBRATION IN THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT GEARS CORRECTLY. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER 6 TIMES, BUT WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT VEHICLE WAS FINE, AND THAT IT WAS NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF VEHICLE. CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN. *AK RADIATOR FAN MOTOR FAILED. MOTOR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. GEARSHIFT CONTROL FAIED. REAR STRUT ASSEMBLY FAILED. WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE AND WINDSHIELED PIVOT CARRIER ASSEMBLY FAILED. A/C EVAPORATOR COIL FAILED. INSTRUMENT PANEL TRIM FAILED. BATTERY FAILED. DOOR WEATHER STRIP FAILED.

HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING , OR WILL TURN ON BY THEMSELVES WITHOUT THE KEY IN IGNITION. DEALER HAD VEHICLE 3 TIMES, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE DEFECT.*AK

VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE, CONSUMER SUFFERED FROM SMOKE INHALATION. *MJS

EVERY TIME I CLOSE THE CAR DOOR I RECIVE A ELECTRICAL SHOCK.I HAVE CLOTH SEATS I HAVE ASKED MORE THAN 100 OTHER INTREPID OWNERS AND THEY SAY THE SAME THING (I WORK AT A PARKING GARAGE)MY CONCERN IS FOR OWNERS WHO HAVE HEART PACEMAKERS AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES INTERMITTENT INTERIOR LIGHT FLASHING OR THEY REMAIN ON DUE TO POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FAILURE, UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. MJS

WHEELS ARE RUSTING ON OUTSIDE. SURFACE RUST. DODGE STATES THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. STEERING WHEEL IS PEELING AWAY. DODGE SAYS THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. STARTER IS TOO CLOSE TO THE MUFFLER WITHOUT HEAT SHIELD. POWER WINDOWS SHORTED OUT INTERNALLY, CAUSING FUSE BREAKER TO BE TO HOT TO TOUCH. . DRIVER SIDE MIRROR JUST CRACKED. DEALER SAID IT MAY BE A FLAW. THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE SEVERAL FOR THIS REASON. THE GLASS IS NOT AVAILABLE YOU MUST BE COMPLETE ASSEMBLY. THE CAR IS ONE YEAR AND FIVE MONTHS OLD AND IS COMING APART. DEALER WILL NOT FIX BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. ALL REPAIRS PAID FOR OUT OF POCKET.