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 848 complaints with NHTSA about the 1994 Dodge Intrepid, and it carries 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 112 | 13% |
| Fuel system | 101 | 12% |
| Steering | 57 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 56 | 7% |
| Structure | 54 | 6% |
| Exterior lighting | 51 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 50 | 6% |
| Suspension | 49 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 49 | 6% |
| Air bags | 34 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I STARTED SMELLING GAS. THE FUEL RAIL ON TOP OF THE ENGINE STARTED LEAKING BY THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT INJECTOR. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE FOR THE SAME ISSUE THAT WAS SUPP
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE LEA
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THE VEHICLE STARTED TO TURN ITSELF WHEN DRIVING AND COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED WHILE DRIVING. THIS LEAD TO US TAKING IT TO A TIRE SHOP AND WE WERE TOLD THE BUSHINGS ON THE RACK AND PINION AND THE BUSHINGS ON THE TIRE ROD WE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
REAR SUSPENSION SUPPORT ARM ON DRIVER'S SIDE FATIGUED AND SEPARATED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. SUPPORT ARM APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN WEAKENED BY RUST CORROSION, APPEARS TO BE INADEQUATE CORR
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMANATING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INST
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TIE ROD BUSHING BOLT AT THE ATTACHMENT OF THE TIE ROD TO THE STEERING RACK AND PINION UNIT IN THE SUBJECT VERHICLE (1994 DODGE INTREPID) ES ON RIGHT FRONT INTER BUSHING BOLT. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I HAVE A 1994 DODGE INTREPID AND I TOOK IT IN FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD I HAD TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION BECAUSE MY STEERING WAS TIGHT. I REPLACED IT BUT THE CAR IS STILL MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN I APP
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I HAVE A 1994 DODGE INTREPID ES, THE VEHICLE IS GOING INTO GEAR AND POPPING OUT OF GEAR SOMETIMES. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1994 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.
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.
Risk: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION CAUSING STALLING WHILE IN MOTION OR AN INOPERATIVE PARK/STARTER INTERLOCK SYSTEM, WHICH ALLOWS ENGINE START WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION, MAY RESULT
Fix: INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS BRACKET AND A PLASTIC CONVOLUTED SLEEVE TO PROTECT THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS.
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
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.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
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
| Reliability raw | 65 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | 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 848 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 112 of them (13%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 65/100 (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 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1994 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 64/100. 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.