Model year guide

1997 Dodge Intrepid

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Dodge Intrepid is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 5 on record.

1997 Dodge Intrepid — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1997 Dodge Intrepid at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints384
Combined18–20 mpg

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

1997 Dodge Intrepid recalls 2

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift NHTSA Campaign #04V021000 · 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-R…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. 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.

1997 Dodge Intrepid common problems

Owners have filed 384 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — 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.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
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.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.

1997 Dodge Intrepid MPG & running costs

Combined18–20 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway24 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,533

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 1997 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.

1997 Dodge Intrepid trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · ES
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl

1997 Dodge Intrepid vehicles on record

Other Dodge Intrepid model years

1997 Dodge Intrepid — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Dodge Intrepid have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1997 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 free.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Dodge Intrepid?

Owners have filed 384 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are steering, suspension, fuel system.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Dodge Intrepid get?

The 1997 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.