1994 Dodge Intrepid Problems, Recalls & Reliability
1,024 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1994 Dodge Intrepid, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 14 defect investigations. It scores 91/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Transmission & drivetrain leads the reports, typically around 67,500 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 1994 Dodge Intrepid sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2003–2004.
Avoid
Where 1994 sits among all Intrepid years
What owners report
“Vehicle making noise while transmission not shifting propperly from 2nd to 3rd gear.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1994 Intrepid
“Early life component failures (water pump 57k, crank sensor, turn signal relay switch)”— owner report to NHTSA, 1994 Intrepid
“Fuel injection system leaking, resulting in fire, prior to recall notice (98v184000).”— owner report to NHTSA, 1994 Intrepid
“Water pump and cooling system failed, causing extensive damage to engine, power steering, and timing belt. No warning from instrument panel, no indication that engine was hot. Now in need of new engine.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1994 Intrepid
“Loose steering rod ends due to deterioration of rubber gromet/cushion which holds steering rod.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1994 Intrepid
“The control unit had to be replaced on the abs system on the car. Please describe. Tt”— owner report to NHTSA, 1994 Intrepid
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 46 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 107,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 70,000 and 151,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
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…
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…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BRACKETS CAN CRACK DUE TO FATIGUE AND SEPARATE FROM THE ENGINE CRADLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE ENGINE CRADLE AT THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO IT.
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…
THE RIGHT STEERING TIE ROD CAN RUB THROUGH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH RESULTS IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS INCLUDING ENGINE STALLING AND AN INOPERATIVE PARK/STARTER INTERLOCK SYSTEM.
Fix: INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS BRACKET AND A PLASTIC CONVOLUTED SLEEVE TO PROTECT THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS.
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 04V021000.
Led to recall campaign 99V215000.
Led to recall campaign 98V184000.
Led to recall campaign 98V184000.
Technical service bulletins
79 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on transmission & drivetrain and engine — are on file for the 1994 Dodge Intrepid. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 1994 Intrepid TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 1994 Dodge Intrepid reliable?
The 1994 Dodge Intrepid drew 1,024 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 91/100, scored against the model's worst year (2000).
What are the most common 1994 Dodge Intrepid problems?
The top reported problems for the 1994 Dodge Intrepid are transmission & drivetrain (173 complaints), electrical (135), and fuel system (118).
At what mileage do 1994 Dodge Intrepid problems show up?
Owners most often report 1994 Dodge Intrepid problems around 107,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 70,000 and 151,000 miles.
Does the 1994 Dodge Intrepid have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 1994 Dodge Intrepid. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.