3rd Aug 2003, 18:37

The 1997 Dodge Intrepid was my first car. I have had all of these problems plus some. The brakes need to be replaced like twice a year. Tires every 30,000 miles. I currently have a rod knock and am very interested in getting rid of it as soon as possible. It's hard though because everything is practically brand new. Nobody should ever buy a 1997 Dodge Intrepid. I can't honestly sell it to anybody without having a guilty conscience.

2nd Sep 2003, 13:10

I currently own a 1997 Intrepid and have none of the problems mentioned in these articles. The car currently has 112,000 miles and is still going strong. I think a lot of ignorant people get ripped off from the dealer or mechanic they use when minor problems arise. People complain about a battery going bad or leaky water pump... these things happen with any car. I would definitley buy another Intrepid or recommend it to anyone; it's a great car.

2nd Mar 2004, 14:04

Fortunately my problems are not with the motor. (YET!) My Intrepid is only a 2001 with 50k miles. I've had it for 1 1/2 years. I had to take it to the dealership 3 times for paint problems to the extent of physically handing the service man a piece that had come off, about half the size of my hand. The lock on my trunk had to be fixed, and for the 2nd time in about 12 months both regulator's for the power windows have to be replaced. The brakes have needed cleaned, but were OK, but they sound terribly loud. I have always driven Chevy up until now. This many problems with this new of a car, I think it's time to go back to Chevy!

17th Jun 2004, 13:13

'97 Dodge Intrepid with 150k.

I think the guy who got his timing belt repair was ripped off with nine hours of labor. I paid my cousin yesterday for 4 hours of labor and that included a round trip of an hour to go the parts store and replace all belts and hoses.

I called the dealer and they charge 4.5 hours to replace timing belt and water pump. It is ridiculous that shops can often times charge you more than what the dealer wants.

I had no choice, but to pay a shop $1,100.00 for tie rods and a rebuilt rack and pinion which is common. All I wanted was an estimate and before I knew it they had it all apart. Too make a long story short, before I could take it to the dealer and or a relative, I would have had to pay them $200.00 just to put it back together. The dealer was going to charge the same price with new genuine parts. All around, the Intrepid has been a good car. I have fixed everything from O2 sensors, to spark plugs and wires, struts, and brakes on this car. Theses items are going to have to be replaced at some time or another on a car. Rack and pinion, water pump, and fuel rails are the major problems with this car. You really can't complain for the money. My car has been paid off for a long time now. I feel I have gotten every penny's worth out of this car.

22nd Sep 2004, 17:27

I bought my 1997 Dodge intrepid in 2000 and it is my belief that the dealership ripped me off. There was 60km on the odometer and not a week later the check engine light came on and the car idles rough. Last year I lost the air conditioning, the door seals keep coming off and my check engine light is still on today (they say it was O2 sensor, but the light was still on when changed) Not only will I not buy another dodge intrepid, I will not ride in one, look at one or even drive another dodge.

12th Oct 2005, 18:55

I bought my 1997 Intrepid in 2001 with only 13,000 miles on it from a dealer. The car runs great...but.

Following, are the repairs made up until about 90,000 miles.

1. Two sets of front brakes

2. a/c evaporator

3. 2 water pumps

4. rear bearing

5. oil pan gasket

6. 2 oil dip sticks!

7. left and right headlight assemblies (not the bulbs)

8. rear struts need to be replace, but two different mechanics told me that the bolts are frozen on and have to be cut/drilled off.

9. oxygen sensors need to be replaced.

10. tie rod (I think that's what is was... definitly something in the steering).

11. some valve? on the a/c system

12. rear engine mounts

13. the paint overall is beginning to oxidize (this car has spent 5 years in the north and the last two in FL.)

I was told today (108,0000 MILES) that I need a new rack and pinion steering system.

14. needs head gaskets.

Finally, I'm not the kind of person who just says yes to an auto mechanic. Often I will check out two people to get a second opinion! I also research the problems myself.

A car is really a bunch of assembled parts. If the parts are of lower quality (gaskets, pumps, mounts, etc.) they just will not last.

27th Jun 2009, 10:59

I have always wanted the Intrepid. I found one with 90K miles, tie rod problems and the check engine light on. I bought it for $1,750, found a place to do the tie rods for me for $200.

For lees than $2k I have a great ride. None of these problems so far. Thank you all for the information, it has helped me get a nice ride and know what to expect. By the way does anyone know what the "ES" really stands for?

22nd Jul 2010, 00:25

We have had our 97 Intrepid since 1999. It has required more maintenance than any car I have ever owned. It has had three sets of brakes and two water pumps, as well as several sets of tires. Even though I have had the alignment checked twice.

It has 145K on it, but currently isn't really drivable. It gets hot despite the fans running, and the radiator is three years old and the water pump is 5 months old. I replaced the thermostat, but it did little good. I have bled the system until I can do it in my sleep. There is no water in the oil, and there seems to be no back pressure in the water system.

If I can get this car to run cool, it will have a new home ASAP!

3rd Sep 2010, 18:48

I have a 1997 Dodge Intrepid with 178000 miles. It was 3 years old when I got it. I love this car, it is a really good ride. I have never put anything on it except brakes and tires. I am having problems now with the suspension on the front and am going to have it fixed. I think after all these miles, that was bound to need repaired. I am going to keep this car as long as I can. It still starts and runs great.

10th Sep 2010, 16:23

I have had quite the same problems. I got my 97 Intrepid from my dad's girlfriend, which before I had bought it from them, my dad had put 1300 dollars worth of work in it.

Just a year later, we had to replace the EGR valve, which my husband did, who is not a mechanic, but got a mechanics book from the library. The part was 100 bucks.

Then the water pump went out, which burned the timing belt. Thank goodness a family friend fixed it for cheap. Did I mention my dad had those two same parts replaced not less than a year before?

Brake pads went out only after 2000 miles, which my dad had replaced during the 1300 dollar fix.

Our whole car had to be flushed, because it was so dirty, burning through gas like no other.

Now our air filter holder bolts have been stripped, and we can't get the air filter replaced, so the car is burning through gas.

My dad had a new battery put in 2008 NOV. The oil change guys say I need a new battery again.

Wheel bearing went out twice in less than 2 months; same side, glad it was under warranty..

There has always been a problem with the brakes, just no one can figure it out.

Now I think the transmission is slipping, but who can afford to get that fixed when the car ain't worth more than a grand... grr, I can't wait to get a better car. It runs good, but have stuck way too much money into it than what it is worth.