1996 Dodge Intrepid

● Typical for this model
1996 Dodge Intrepid
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
505
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

35% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 2 complaints 1992: 2 complaints 1992 1993: 412 complaints 1994: 728 complaints 1994 1995: 590 complaints 1996: 505 complaints 1996 505 1997: 344 complaints 1998: 377 complaints 1998 1999: 997 complaints 2000: 1,065 complaints 2000 2001: 656 complaints 2002: 329 complaints 2002 2003: 106 complaints 2004: 129 complaints 2004
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 2 complaints 1988 1992: 2 complaints 1992 1993: 412 complaints 1993 1994: 728 complaints 1994 1995: 590 complaints 1995 1996: 505 complaints 1996 505 1997: 344 complaints 1997 1998: 377 complaints 1998 1999: 997 complaints 1999 2000: 1,065 complaints 2000 2001: 656 complaints 2001 2002: 329 complaints 2002 2003: 106 complaints 2003 2004: 129 complaints 2004
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 2 complaints 1988 1992: 2 complaints 1992 1993: 412 complaints 1993 1994: 728 complaints 1994 1995: 590 complaints 1995 1996: 505 complaints 1996 505 1997: 344 complaints 1997 1998: 377 complaints 1998 1999: 997 complaints 1999 2000: 1,065 complaints 2000 2001: 656 complaints 2001 2002: 329 complaints 2002 2003: 106 complaints 2003 2004: 129 complaints 2004

1996: 505 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19871
19882
19922
1993412
1994728
1995590
1996505
1997344
1998377
1999997
20001,065
2001656
2002329
2003106
2004129

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

35% · 175 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and tie rod assembly.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

On 15MAR12 at approximately 5:30PM I was driving around a slight curve when the steering wheel suddenly pulled to the left. I immediately corrected while letting off the accelerator. After I regained control, the steering still felt extremely loose.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-15

Engine and engine cooling

18% · 93 reports

Most commonly citing cooling system and engine.

CRASHFIRE

Fuel system, gasoline

16% · 81 reports

Most commonly citing fuel injection system and delivery.

FIRE

Power train

9% · 46 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and floor shift.

CRASHINJURY

Suspension

9% · 46 reports

Most commonly citing front and wheel bearing.

CRASH

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1998-10-07Recall queryClosed 2002-07-08 Fuel injection delivery system fuel leak
  2. R
    1999-01-11Fuel system, gasoline98V184000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles built with 3.5L engines. The fuel injection delivery system can leak fuel from some of the sealing o-rings or from hair line cracks in the thermoset fuel…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel rail o-rings and reinforce the outlet (Passenger) side fuel rail. Vehicles showing fuel leakage on the outlet fuel rail must have the outlet rail replaced which…

  3. I
    1999-06-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-10-29 Steering system rack and pinion
  4. I
    1999-10-29Engineering analysisClosed 2001-09-13 Steering system rack and pinion
  5. I
    2003-07-17Engineering analysisClosed 2004-01-30 Auto trans ignition-park interlock
  6. R
    2004-06-14Power train04V021000 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…

    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…

  7. I
    2004-10-13Defect petitionClosed 2004-10-27 Fuel rail, brake fluid, chassis

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Dodge Intrepid — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 175 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 93 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 81 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V184000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 04V021000 · Power train

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 Dodge Intrepid reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Dodge Intrepid is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Dodge Intrepid?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge Intrepid have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.