Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 488 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993 Dodge Intrepid, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 109 | 22% |
| Power train | 46 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 42 | 9% |
| Suspension | 36 | 7% |
| Visibility | 25 | 5% |
| Exterior lighting | 23 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 22 | 5% |
| Air bags | 20 | 4% |
| Seats | 20 | 4% |
| Equipment | 17 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE INTREPID. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH DORAL FDL60 TIRES, TIRE SIZE 225/60/16. THE DOT NUMBER WAS 7TA6 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT END OF
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING, THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM T
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
MY CAR HAS HAD NUMEROUS RECALLS AND I BOUGHT IT USED A FEW MONTHS AGO MY CAR IS A 1993 DODGE INTREPID WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS?CAR WILL RUN FOR 20 MINUTES OR UNTIL SHUT OFF AND THEN DIE FOR 20 MINUTES TO 10 HOURS, NO WA
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NOTHING LED UP TO THE FAILURE, IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I NOTICED MY CAR STARTED SWAYING AND "FLOATING" I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND LOOKED UNDER THE LEFT REAR TO SEE THAT THE SWAY BAR SNAPPED AT THE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR SHIFT WAS HESITANT TO MOVE INTO THE PARK POSITION AND HAD TO BE FORCED. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, A 12-YEAR OLD CHILD ENTERED THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWNHILL AND
NHTSA complaint: Power train
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RADICAL CHANGE IN THE STEERING. THE STEERING WENT FROM ORDINARY TO MORE COMPLEX. WHILE HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL THE VEHICLE WOULD WONDER. HE WOULD HAVE TO OVER COMPENSATE TO GET BA
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS. ONCE THE HEADLIGHT LENSES BEGIN TO OXIDIZE, VISIBILITY BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THERE IS A YELLOW TINT THAT DEVELOPS DURING THE PERIOD OF
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1993 Dodge Intrepid. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BRACKETS CAN CRACK DUE TO FATIGUE AND SEPARATE FROM THE ENGINE CRADLE.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE TRANSMISSION HALF-SHAFT COULD PULL OUT OF THE TRANSAXLE AND RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE ENGINE CRADLE AT THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO IT.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.3L ENGINES. THE 'O-RINGS' USED TO SEAL THE INTERFACE OF THE FUEL INJECTOR RAIL SUPPLY, RETURN AND CROSS OVER TUBES ARE NOT AS ROBUST AS THOSE USED IN LATER MODEL YEARS. DETERIORATION OF THE 'O-RINGS' CAN CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE.
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL.
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.
Risk: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
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
THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM TENSION STRUT WASHERS CAN CRACK AND FALL OFF DUE TO HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT.
Risk: LOSS OF A WASHER WILL CAUSE A CLUNKING SOUND, HEARDDURING BRAKING. IF LEFT UNATTENDED, THE LOSS OF THE WASHER WILL EVENTUALLYRESULT IN TENSION STRUT ATTACHMENT FAILURE THAT CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF STEER
Fix: REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR STRUT BAR WASHERS AND NUTS.
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 488 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 109 of them (22%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1993 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.