2004 Dodge Intrepid Problems
The 2004 Dodge Intrepid, with 129 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls, shows a heavy concentration of engine issues that buyers should investigate thoroughly. Based on 129 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Engine Problems the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2004 Dodge Intrepid has 129 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2004 Dodge Intrepid Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2004 Dodge Intrepid trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.
2004 Dodge Intrepid Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
DODGE INTREPID 2004 has 129 NHTSA complaints, with 91 related to engine problems. Steering and transmission each have 10 complaints. Two recalls were issued. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Dodge
- Model
- Intrepid
- Model year
- 2004
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 129
- Crash-related complaints
- 9
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 20
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 17 / 25
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- No
Common problems
Most common 2004 Dodge Intrepid problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Steering Defects
Transmission / Drivetrain
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Steering Defects, Transmission / Drivetrain. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2004 Dodge Intrepid?
The 2004 Intrepid is a high-risk purchase due to the overwhelming number of engine complaints. Only consider if you are prepared for potential major repairs and have a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
Engine problems dominate the complaint data, which can lead to costly repairs and unexpected breakdowns. Steering and transmission issues also add to the reliability concerns.
May Suit
This year may suit a budget-conscious buyer willing to accept higher maintenance risk for a low initial purchase price.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers seeking reliable daily transportation or those without mechanical skills should avoid this model year.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2004 Dodge Intrepid
Inspection Focus
- Inspect engine for signs of overheating, oil leaks, or unusual noises.
- Check steering components for play or leaks.
- Test transmission for smooth shifting and check fluid condition.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine thoroughly for any issues.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine, steering, and transmission repairs.
- Test drive to check for steering play and transmission behavior.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2004 Dodge Intrepid, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2004 Dodge Intrepid has 129 total complaints, with engine problems accounting for 91 of them. Steering and transmission defects each have 10 complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: The 2004 Intrepid has a high complaint count relative to its single model year, but comparison to other years is not available from the data.
Recall context: With 2 recalls, verify that all recall repairs have been completed before purchase.
- Engine problems account for 91 of 129 total complaints.
- Steering defects have 10 complaints.
- Transmission/drivetrain issues have 10 complaints.
- Engine Problems (91 complaints)
- Steering Defects (10 complaints)
- Transmission / Drivetrain (10 complaints)
Full breakdown
All 2004 Dodge Intrepid complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Dodge Intrepid. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 91 | 1 | 4 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 10 | — | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 10 | 2 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 7 | 5 | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 6 | — | 1 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Dodge Intrepid. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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 EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW LO…
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 POWER STEERING GAVE OUT. THE CAR STARTED SMOKING PRODUCING BLAC…
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 UNDER HOOD. I PROCEEDED TO GET OUT OF MIDDLE LANE TO BREAKD…
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 IT COULD BE WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. SOME RESEARCH SH…
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 ON THAT THERE'S ONLY 70,000 MILES ON IT ADDED TO THE 60 ITS …
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 THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FI…
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 CONTACTED THE DODGE DEALER SHIP AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPEN I ASK THEM…
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 NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY CAR STARTED DINGING AND I LOOK DOWN AT THE LIGHTS AND MY OVER HEAT LIGHT WAS ON AND MY CAR TEMP WAS ALL THE WAY AT HIGH. I TOOK MY CAR TO NTB TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND HAD JUST FILLED MY COOLANT THE DAY BEFORE. NTB HAD TO FILL MY COOLAN…
WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR BEGAN STEAMING, PULLED OVER AND ALL THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS POURING OUT OF THE CAR. TURNS OUT THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT. THE PUMP IS INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTOR REQUIRING THE MOTOR TO BE UNBOLTED, TURNED UP, THE RADIATOR, VALVE COVER, THERMO…
CAR BEGAN STEAMING, AND SMOKING. HAD TO PULL OVER TO LET IT COOL DOWN, NO EXTRA ANTIFREEZE AVAILABLE. ONCE COOLED, LIMPED IT TO MECHANIC. MECHANIC STATED FUEL PUMP IS OUT AGAIN, AFTER ONLY 45,000 MORE MILES ON BRAND NEW DODGE WATER PUMP. MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT OIL PRESSURE IS …
I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50MPH AND STARTED SLOWING DOWN TO GET ON THE FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. I HAD A HARD TIME BRAKING AND NOTICE THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. THE CAR WAS STILL ACCELERATING EVEN WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I HAD TO PUSH AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE BRAKES TO G…
I LEARNED AFTER STATE SAFETY INSPECTION AT INSPECTION SITE 44994, SPIROS ON BOSTON STREET, SALEM, MA THAT MY BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE. MY AUTO PASSED SAFETY INSPECTION WITH BAD BRAKES. I SUSPECT A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CLASS II AUTO DEALER SHAMROCK MOTORS, THE INSPECTION OVERLO…
DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 65MPH WHEN ENGINE JUMPED TO HIGH RPM THEN DROPPED TO LOW RPM AND QUIT. STEAM COMING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. FOUND THE WATER OUTLET BOX HAD BLOWN THE TOP OFF, ENGINE OVERHEATED, AND PISTON ROD BROKE. MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE PLASTIC WELDED SEAM ON THE WATER OUT…
I WENT TO LEAVE WORK AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START. AT FIRST I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS THE BATTERY OR STARTER. AFTER HAVING BOTH OF THESE TESTED AND SEVERAL MECHANICS LATER WAS TOLD THAT MY ENGINE WAS SEIZED. I HAVE ALWAYS CHECKED THE OIL AND HAD IT CHANGED ACCORDINGLY. THIS IS NOT FAI…
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, NO SUDDEN NOISES, ETC. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR APPROX. 25 MINUTES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND HAVE THE CAR TOWED. *TR
I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP A YEAR AGO, AND KEPT UP WITH MAINTENANCE. TWO DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR THE ENGINE DIED AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE MECHANIC THERE TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE BURNT WIRES IN THE ENGINE THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. A MONT…
THE ENGINE OUT OF NOWHERE BLEW UP, ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND WATER AND OIL CAME OUT OF THE OIL SPOUT, ALSO ALWAYS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING, HAVING TO CONSTANTLY CHANGE THE RUBBERS IN THE STABILIZER BARS, I'M COMPLAINING BECAUSE THE CAR IS A LEMON. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT ROLLED AWAY FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY AND CRASHED INTO A MAILBOX. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT TH…
I INSTALLED NEW REAR BRAKES, THEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, I CHECK AROUND AND FOUND THAT THE STEEL BRAKE TUBING WAS RUSTED OUT AND SPRUNG A LEAK, REPAIRED TWO OF THE FOUR STEEL TUBINGS,NOW IT WAS LUCKY FOR ME I WAS IN THE BACK LAWN,. NOW IF I WAS …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2004 Dodge Intrepid.
Safety recalls
2004 Dodge Intrepid recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2004 Dodge Intrepid. With 2 recalls, verify that all recall repairs have been completed before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2004 Dodge Intrepid buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2004 Dodge Intrepid reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 129 owner complaints, 9 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2004 Intrepid is a high-risk purchase due to the overwhelming number of engine complaints. Only consider if you are prepared for potential major repairs and have a thorough pre-purchase inspection. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Dodge Intrepid?▾
#1: Engine Problems (91 complaints). #2: Steering Defects (10 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (10 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Dodge Intrepid?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2004 Dodge Intrepid?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2004 Dodge Intrepid, NHTSA complaints include 9 crash-related reports and 5 fire reports out of 129 total complaints. 7 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2004 Dodge Intrepid have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2004 Dodge Intrepid. A major recall area is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. With 2 recalls, verify that all recall repairs have been completed before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2004 Dodge Intrepid?▾
The 2004 Intrepid is a high-risk purchase due to the overwhelming number of engine complaints. Only consider if you are prepared for potential major repairs and have a thorough pre-purchase inspection. Engine problems dominate the complaint data, which can lead to costly repairs and unexpected breakdowns. Steering and transmission issues also add to the reliability concerns. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Intrepid reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2004 Dodge Intrepid based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.