CarBrief

NHTSA has 129 owner complaints for the 2004 Dodge Intrepid, and most of them point at the engine group[1][2]. No recalls are on file for this model year[3].

129owner complaints[1]
19–22MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 129 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Nine mention a crash, 5 a fire and 7 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Component group Complaints
Engine[2] 91
Power train[5] 10
Steering[6] 10
Electrical system[7] 7
Air bags[8] 7
Brakes[9] 6
Suspension[10] 5
Tires[11] 3

Engine. This group dominates the list. The median mileage at failure is 75,000, and 4 of the engine complaints mention a fire[2]. In the sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 6 describe the engine stalling or shutting off while driving, often with the check engine light on[2]. Five describe oil warning lights, sludge or a seized engine[2]. Two name the camshaft position sensor[2].

Power train. The median mileage at failure is 80,000, and 2 complaints mention a crash[5]. In the sample of 10 we read, 6 describe a failed or replaced transmission[5]. Two describe the car rolling away while in park, and 2 describe overheating and coolant loss[5].

Steering. The median mileage at failure is 77,926[6]. In the sample of 10 we read, 6 describe loose steering or too much play in the wheel[6]. Four name the rack and pinion as the part that needed replacing[6].

Air bags. There are only 7 complaints, but 5 mention a crash and 3 an injury[8]. In the sample of 7 we read, 5 say the air bags did not deploy in a crash[8].

Electrical complaints show a lower median mileage at failure of 37,277[7]. Brakes show 106,000[9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2004 Dodge Intrepid[3]. That does not mean nothing went wrong. It means no recall campaign is on file for this model year.

Fuel economy

EPA lists three ratings. All use regular fuel, front-wheel drive and a 4-speed automatic[4][12][13].

Engine City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
2.7L 6-cyl[4] 19 27 22 $3,050
3.5L 6-cyl[12] 17 25 20 $3,350
3.5L 6-cyl[13] 16 25 19 $3,550

EPA bases the annual cost on its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new[4].

Safety ratings

The NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings list this car as not rated[14]. That means there is no star score to compare.

How 2004 compares with other years

1995: 589 complaints, 3 recalls19951996: 505 complaints, 2 recalls19961997: 344 complaints, 2 recalls19971998: 377 complaints, 3 recalls19981999: 997 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 1,065 complaints, 7 recalls20002001: 656 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 329 complaints, 1 recalls20022003: 106 complaints, 0 recalls20032004: 129 complaints, 0 recalls1292004
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Intrepid model year. The 2004 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19955893
19965052
19973442
19983773
19999974
20001,0657
20016563
20023291
20031060
20041290

The 2004 model year has 129 complaints and 0 recalls[3]. Only 2003 has fewer complaints, at 106, and it also has 0 recalls[3]. Every year from 1995 to 2002 has at least 329 complaints and at least 1 recall[3]. The worst year on file is 2000, with 1,065 complaints and 7 recalls[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so compare years of this model only.

Should you buy a used 2004 Intrepid?

On paper this is one of the quieter years for the Intrepid, with no recalls and a low complaint count next to earlier years[3]. The weak spot in the complaints is the engine, with 91 of the 129 complaints naming it[2][1]. In the sample we read, stalling and oil-related trouble came up often, so ask for service records and have a mechanic check the engine and transmission. The car is not rated for crash safety by NHTSA[14], and the three EPA ratings run from 19 to 22 MPG combined[4][12][13]. Complaints are unverified and small samples, so treat this as a checklist, not a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Dodge Intrepid?
The engine group has 91 of 129 NHTSA complaints[2][1]. In the sample we read, owners describe stalling and oil-related trouble[2].
Does the 2004 Dodge Intrepid have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2004 model year[3].
What is the gas mileage of a 2004 Dodge Intrepid?
EPA lists 22 MPG combined for the 2.7L engine, and 20 and 19 combined for two 3.5L ratings[4][12][13].
Is the 2004 Dodge Intrepid a good year?
It has 129 complaints and 0 recalls[3]. Only 2003 has fewer complaints, at 106[3].
What is the crash rating of the 2004 Dodge Intrepid?
NHTSA lists it as not rated[14].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 129 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Dodge Intrepid (9 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 91 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Intrepid model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Intrepid, 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 10 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 10 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,926). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 7 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 37,277). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 7 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 6 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 106,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 5 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 3 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. EPA rating for Intrepid, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  13. EPA rating for Intrepid, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.