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 736 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Dodge Intrepid, and it carries 3 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 | 105 | 14% |
| Fuel system | 93 | 13% |
| Steering | 74 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 50 | 7% |
| Air bags | 40 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 38 | 5% |
| Suspension | 38 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 36 | 5% |
| Structure | 28 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 26 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
RACK AND PINION ISSUES. ISSUES WITH FRONT WHEELS AND STEERING. I'VE HAD IT FIXED THREE TIMES, VERY EXPENSIVE. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, WHEN THE STEER STOPPED CONTROLLING THE WHEELS. I'M GRATEFUL I WASN'T
NHTSA complaint: Steering
1995 DODGE INTREPID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS T
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
PURCHASED CAR ON 8/11/14, DROVE IT HOME AND ON 8/12/14 STARTED CAR AND SAY GAS SPRAYING OUT OF INJECTORS ON TOP OF MOTOR. ALL INJECTOR SEALS WERE BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, SAME WITH VALVE COVER GASKETS OIL WAS RUNNING
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE INTREPID. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, FUEL FUMES SEEPED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A FUEL LEAK NEAR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IN THE MOTOR. THE V
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SPORADICALLY AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT INTO PARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE DID
NHTSA complaint: Power train
DODGE TRANSMISSION ON INTREPIDS, CARAVANS, AND NEONS HAVE A HISTORY OF FAILING AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED OR REBUILT. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 55800 MILES ON IT ALL ORIGINAL. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS 15 YEARS OLD IT HAS ALWAYS
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN MY CAR JUST DIED. I DIDN'T GET ANY FLASHING LIGHTS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING. IT WAS AS IS SOMEONE HAD TURNED THE CAR OFF WITH OUT MOVING THE KEY FROM THE ON POSITION. ONCE I COME T
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1995 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.
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 | 70 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | 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 736 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 105 of them (14%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 70/100 (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 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 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 66/100. 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.