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 1,058 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Dodge Intrepid, and it carries 6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 632 | 60% |
| Power train | 49 | 5% |
| Steering | 40 | 4% |
| Suspension | 30 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 26 | 2% |
| Visibility | 23 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 15 | 1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 15 | 1% |
| Air bags | 14 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
THE AIR CONDITIONING AND HEAT WENT OUT IN CAR. WINDOWS POWER KEEP GETTING STUCK.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE FAILURE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I BOUGHT THIS 1999 DODGE INTREPID FROM CLIFFS USED CARS SALES TWO MONTHS AGO. EVERYTHING SEEMED GOOD ONE MONTH OR LESS LATER DRIVER SEAT BREAKS GOES BACKWARDS. THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT. TRIED EVERY TYPE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED, THE GEAR SHIFTER MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION ON ITS OWN. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V0210
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS PUSHED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. AFTER PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A STOMACH INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDIC
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE GETTING BAGS OUT OF THE TRUNK, THE TRUNK LIFT SUPPORT FAILED AND IMPACTED THE CONTACT'S HEAD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BUMP ON THE HEAD BUT DID NOT
NHTSA complaint: Structure
SEVERELY CORRODED BRAKE LINES, LINES BLEW. NEAR MISS ACCIDENT. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ACROSS MFRS. HAD THE SAME INCIDENT 1 MONTH AGO ON 1997 GM PRODUCT. WELL MAINTAINED CARS WITH SEVERELY CORRODED FUEL AND BRAKE LINE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1999 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.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
Risk: IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE TURNING LOOP (ATL) TOP MOUNTING BOLT WAS INADEQUATELY MANUFACTURED.
Risk: THE AFFECTED MOUNTING BOLTS MAY NOT WITHSTAND SUFFICIENT FORCE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY IN CERTAIN IMPACT SITUATIONS, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A BELTED OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHOULDER BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTER MOUNTING BOLTS.
| Reliability raw | 55 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 65 | good |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 51 | average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,058 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 632 of them (60%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 55/100 (average) 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 65/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 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 61/100. 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.