CarModelProblems.com

1996 Dodge Intrepid Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Steering:rack And Pinion — runs 4.1× the fleet median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.
505Complaints
2Recalls
32Crashes
22Fires
23Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Steering:rack And Pinion (13.9% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Steering:rack And Pinion complaints here are 4.1× the median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Steering:rack And Pinion70 · 13.9%not available
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System40 · 7.9%RecalledRecall 98V184000
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly38 · 7.5%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System30 · 5.9%not available
Power Train:automatic Transmission26 · 5.1%RecalledRecall 04V021000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine25 · 5%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE25 · 5%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL22 · 4.4%
STEERING20 · 4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS18 · 3.6%
SUSPENSION17 · 3.4%

Percentages are the share of the 505 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 2 campaigns

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

NHTSA campaign 04V021000 · 2004 · reported 01/13/2004

EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

NHTSA campaign 98V184000 · 1998 · reported 08/06/1998

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“VEHICLE WANDERED BADLY. REPLACED RACK & PINION. THEN FOUND BROKEN FRAME WELD FROM FACTORY. FACTORY REPAIRED WELD. PROBLEM NOT SOLVED . CAR WANDERS AND WEARS…”NHTSA complaint 708895 — filed 07/21/1999 · STEERING:RACK AND PINION
“TIE RODS ARE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME LOOSE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. 2. A LEAK FROM WATER PUMP IS DRIPPING ONTO TIMING BELT…”NHTSA complaint 839908 — filed 06/16/1999 · STEERING:RACK AND PINION
“REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER LESS THAN A MONTH OF OWNING THE CAR. NO RESPONSE. NO DEFECTS DISCUSSED IN SUMMARY.”NHTSA complaint 704798 — filed 03/23/1999 · STEERING:RACK AND PINION

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

11220007577200242422004424200615122008312010132012312016

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Dodge Intrepid?

Steering:rack and pinion issues are the most-reported category, cited in 70 of 505 NHTSA complaints (13.9%), followed by fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system (40), steering:linkages:tie rod assembly (38), engine and engine cooling:cooling system (30). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1996 Dodge Intrepid have?

505 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 32 involved a crash, 22 involved a fire, and 23 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1996 Dodge Intrepid have any recalls?

Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 04V021000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1996 Dodge Intrepid's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.