Model year guide

1996 Dodge Intrepid

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Dodge Intrepid is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.

1996 Dodge Intrepid — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1996 Dodge Intrepid at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints580
Combined18–20 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1996 Dodge Intrepid recalls 2

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift NHTSA Campaign #04V021000 · manufacturer #C45 · 13/01/2004

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 ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.

Fix: 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 1-800-853-1403.

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System NHTSA Campaign #98V184000 · 06/08/1998

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 INJECTION RAIL.

Fix: 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 INCLUDES CHANGING THE UPPER AND LOWER INJECTOR O-RINGS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RIN…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1996 Dodge Intrepid common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 580 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

1996 Dodge Intrepid safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1996 Dodge Intrepid 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1996 Dodge Intrepid MPG & running costs

Combined18–20 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway24 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,533
EPA size classLarge Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume102 cu ft
Cargo volume19 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$5,667 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1996 Dodge Intrepid costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,665
Fuel only$17,665
Per mile$0.24

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 5

FUEL RAIL, BRAKE FLUID, CHASSIS Closed

ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MR. ROBERT GALENTY OF ISELIN, NJ, PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1993-1997 VEHICLES PRODUCED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION. HIS PETITION IDENTIFIED THREE ISSUES OF CONCERN: 1) FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAILS; 2) BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE; AND 3) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME TO DAMAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE…

NHTSA #DP04007 · Structure, Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel System, Gasoline · opened Oct 2004 · closed Oct 2004

AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK Closed

THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER¿S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED). THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS. THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION. THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN EL…

NHTSA #EA03011 · Power Train · opened Jul 2003 · closed Jan 2004

STEERING SYSTEM RACK AND PINION Closed

NHTSA #EA99031 · Steering · opened Oct 1999 · closed Sep 2001

STEERING SYSTEM RACK AND PINION Closed

SINCE OPENING THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE), ODI HAS RECEIVED 6 ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS. DURING THE PE IT WAS DETERMINED MULTIPLE FAILURE MODES ARE INVOLVED IN THIS MATTER. THE WARRANTY CLAIM RATE IS HIGH FOR A STEERING SYSTEM CONCERN. THE ISSUES REPORTED INVOLVE PREMATURE WEAR OUT AT THE RACK AND PINION INTERFACE WITH THE INNER TIE ROD END(S), BINDING AND STICKING OF THE STEERING GEAR, CRACKED OR BROKEN TIE ROD ENDS…

NHTSA #PE99044 · Steering · opened Jun 1999 · closed Oct 1999

FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM FUEL LEAK Closed

NHTSA #RQ98018 · Fuel System, Gasoline · opened Oct 1998 · closed Jul 2002

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 82

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 82.

Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.

Bulletin 08-049-20 · Electrical System, Equipment · Apr 2020

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

Bulletin 31-003-19 · Equipment · Nov 2019

Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.

Bulletin 3100519 · Structure · Nov 2019

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

Bulletin 3100619 · Structure, Equipment · Nov 2019

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

Bulletin 3100319 · Structure · Nov 2019

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

Bulletin 31-006-19 · Structure · Nov 2019

Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.

Bulletin R2118796A · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2016

Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether Anchors based on Customer Request. Retrofits are subject to part availability. Vehicles in the following list that are marked **** for the model year are no l…

Bulletin 23-014-15 · Equipment · Apr 2015

FLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC

Bulletin 1802002 · Jun 2002

SUBJECT REGARDING LOW OR NO CABIN HEAD, ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM SYSTEM FILL PROCEDURE. *TT

Bulletin 0700202 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2002

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the INTREPID. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Dodge Intrepid

The Dodge Intrepid is a full-sized front-wheel drive four-door sedan that was produced by Dodge for the 1993 to 2004 model years. It is related to the Chrysler 300M, Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler LHS, Chrysler New Yorker, and Eagle Vision which were all built on Chrysler's new "cab forward" LH platform.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1996 Dodge Intrepid trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl

1996 Dodge Intrepid vehicles on record

Other Dodge Intrepid model years

1996 Dodge Intrepid — frequently asked questions

Does the 1996 Dodge Intrepid have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1996 Dodge Intrepid. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

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

Across all 580 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are steering, engine and engine cooling, fuel system.

What is the 1996 Dodge Intrepid safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1996 Dodge Intrepid crash-test ratings of frontal 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1996 Dodge Intrepid get?

The 1996 Dodge Intrepid has U.S. EPA estimates of 18–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.