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 129 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Dodge Intrepid, and it carries 2 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 | 73 | 57% |
| Engine | 6 | 5% |
| Steering | 6 | 5% |
| Air bags | 4 | 3% |
| Power train | 4 | 3% |
| Structure | 3 | 2% |
| Power train | 2 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 2% |
| Steering | 2 | 2% |
| Tires | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER FIANC WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUIS
NHTSA complaint: Engine
WE ARE WRITING TO LET YOU KNOW OF A MAJOR CAR FIRE THAT OCCURRED IN OUR DODGE INTREPID. THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE HOT/COLD NEEDLE BEGAN MOVING UP AND DOWN. THEN THE BRAKES GAVE OUT. THEN, THE POWE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
IN OCTOBER 2015 I BOUGHT A 2004 DODGE INTREPID FROM A PRIVATE OWNER/DEALERSHIP. I DIDNT EVEN HAVE FOR A WEK AND WAS ON HIGHY DOING 60 M.PH. ON HWY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN PWERED DOWN AND TURNED OFF AND STEAM COMING OUT FROM
NHTSA complaint: Power train
OIL LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ARE COMING ON. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO GET IT INSPECTED HE SAID IT IS LOOSING OIL PRESSURE DUE TO OIL PUMP FAILURE THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL WHEN OR IF THE ENGINE WILL SEIZE UP, BUT THAT I
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I HAVE A 2004 DODGE INTREPID I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE MOTORS I HAVE PUT MORE MONEY IN THAT CARD AND I PAID FOR IT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE DEPENDABLE IT ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT AND NOW AT THE TIME I HAVE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO STRIKE THE ANIMAL. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND TH
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I HAD JUST CAME FROM ATLANTA GA. I TURN INTO MY APARTMENT COMPLEX AND I HEARD SOMETHING POP. THAT'S WHEN I LEARN MY AIR BAG MESSED UP IT KNOCK OUT MY CIGARETTE LIGHTER. AND MY CAR HORN. IT WARP MY STEER WHEEL. I CONTACTE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2004 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.
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.
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.
| Reliability raw | 65 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | 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 129 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 73 of them (57%). There are 2 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 2004 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.