Dodge Intrepid 1997 - Power train - car safety information, failing parts, recalls, bulletins, complaints

Dodge Intrepid 1997

Recalls
Technical Service Bulletins
Defect investigations
Consumer Complaints

Recalls

Campaign	Manufacturer	Manufacturing date	Type	# of units affected	Date Owner notified Mfg	Recall Initiated by	Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products	Report Recieved Date	Record Creation Date
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - FLOOR SHIFT
04V021000	DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION	from 04/01/1992 to 07/31/1999	V (Vehicle)	2315768	06/14/2004	ODI	CHRYSLER GROUP LLC	01/13/2004	01/15/2004
Defect Summary	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.
Consequence Summary	Either circumstance may result in the vehicle rolling away without warning.
Corrective Summary	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 1-800-853-1403.
Notes	Daimlerchrysler recall no. c45.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration

Bulletins

Bulletin	Bulletin date	Replacement Bulletin	Item no.	Summary	Added
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2100601	03/16/2001	211699	621898	Automatic transmission fluid usage atf+4. tt mj	10/03/2001
210597	03/14/1997		6088988	Concerns with 41te/42le transaxle shudder during an emcc (electronically modulated converter clutch) shift. *nlm	01/11/2000
210599A	09/03/1999	210599	607959	This bulletin announces the availability and installation of a resuable automatic transmission oil pan gasket. *tt	10/19/1999
210499	02/26/1999		604364	Service and parts information on 1999 running changes to transmission range sensor (trs) *tt	04/27/1999
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)
181299	06/18/1999	181797	607298	This bulletin explains the operation and application of the leak detection pump (ldp) monitor test. *tt	09/17/1999
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - COOLING UNIT AND LINES
210197	02/28/1997	21-17-96	52069	Transmission fluid auxillary cooler. *tw	07/17/1997
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
210298	06/26/1998		601581	Information on diagnostic / driveability improvements, transaxle that incorporates a transmission range sensor (trs) only. reduces a shudder condition that may be experienced during light throttle 1-2 upshift. *ak	08/12/1998
210798	04/24/1998		600751	Subject on delayed transaxle engagement. *ak	06/05/1998
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE
211099	06/25/1999	210598	606171	Subject regarding auxiliary differential vent. *tt	08/11/1999
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
210997	05/16/1997		6089028	Information on 41te/42le service information. *nlm	01/12/2000
970314210597	03/14/1997		54371	Condition with tranaxle shudder during a 3rd gear to 3rd gear partial emcc ( electronically modulated converter clutch) engagement, 3rd gear partial emcc to 4th gear partial emcc engagement, or 4th gear to 4th gear emcc engagement. *yc	03/30/1998

Investigations

NHTSA ID	Manufacturer	Date open	Date close	Subject	Recall campaign
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
EA03011	CHRYSLER GROUP LLC	07/17/2003	01/30/2004	AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK	04V021000
	The manufacturer reports above are based on daimlerchrysler
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - FLOOR SHIFT
EA03011	CHRYSLER GROUP LLC	07/17/2003	01/30/2004	AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK	04V021000
	The manufacturer reports above are based on daimlerchrysler

Consumer Complaints

Fail date	miles	occurences	Purchase date
POWER TRAIN
08/15/2003	63000
	Transmission slips, shifts rough, sometimes will not go into gear at all,sometimes it will not shift out of first gear.
11/15/2002	0
	The solenoid for the overdrive failed
		1
	The vehicle failed to shift from 3rd to 4th gear. the dealer informed the consumer the transmission needed to be replaced. *jb
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
10/14/2004		1	08/10/1997
	Consumer called local dealer to get vehicle repaired under recall 04v021000, but no parts were available. ak recall campaign: safety recall - transaxle floor shifter ignition/park interlock daimler chrysler notification c45. tc as of 8/18 the parts were still not available. *nm
09/03/2004	70000	1
	With the vehicle in drive, the consumer was able to remove the key from the ignition switch. the vehicle began to roll into a short post damaging the vehicle. provide further details. *jb
07/19/2004		1
	Safety recall transaxle floor shifter ignition/ park interlock.mr the vehicle was taken to the dealer fro recall repair. the dealer requested that he consumer leave the vehicle for the next two days so they could repair the problem. the consumer could not understand why the dealer was not willing to provide him with a loaner vehicle until the repairs were made. nm
06/08/1999	48000	3	05/17/1999
	My 1997 dodge intrepid transmission has gone 3 times since i've owned it i purchased it in early 1999 with 48000 miles the 1st time the shifterwould not go all the way in to park and at 62000 miles it went and all i had was reverse. i had a warranty through the car dealer with a 250.00 deductible. they rebulit transmission and at 84000 the samething happen 13mos. later and of coarse no warranty so i had to pay full shot this time at the sum of $ 1,300.00. now it seems that it is starting to act up again .what to do? other than this this has been the most dependable running car as far as any thing else goes i have ever had. and yes i do have the filter & fluid changed when it should. one more thing i've had the car checked a couple of times for when i start out from a stop wether slow or quick the car sometimes seems like the universals are bad(like on a rear wheel drive car) but i was told cv joints and all else was fine so i asume it has something to do with the transmission.*ak
08/12/2002		1	06/01/2002
	Transmission failed, on highway causing engine damage when locking into second gear, chrysler refused to help. dt
08/04/2002		2	01/01/2098
	Limp home mode, diagnosed as a bad transmission solenoid pac, replaced ($440), still had mil light and same limp home mode problem. diagnosed by dealer ($90.00), sain broken internal transmission hub, suggested i pay for factory rebuilt transmission ($2500) since rebuiling it would cost almost as much due to all the updates for the transmission (tsb's), transmission model 42le/a606.*ak
04/22/2002		1
	While driving 35 mph the vehicle started to slow down and engine revved. consumer was not able to shift gears. dealer determined the shifter module of transmission needed to be replaced. according to dealer part is not available, r04606455ab.jb.jg
12/19/2001		10	11/01/2001
	The first 10 minutes of driving in weather of 50 deg f and colder, the transmission would suddenly shift out of whatever gear its in and into neutral. i would have to rev the engine a little bit and it would shift back into gear. the transmission fluid had a burned smell to it so i changed the filter and fluid. i use atf+3 7176, as recommended. but that didn't solve the problem. then i thought it was because the car was cold, so before driving, i would let the car warm up for 5-10 minutes. that didn't solve the problem either. i've been researching the transmission problems on this vehicle and have found many complaints in regards to this transmission. there are even tbs on nhtsa, 21-07-98 & 21-02-98a, relating to my problems. i wish there is a recall on these. i can't believe a transmision would fail with only 62000 miles. in the mean time, i've read success stories from other owners who got chrysler to fix the problem. i'm going to give it a shot now before i have total failure while driving some where far from home.
09/01/2001
	While driving transmission would downshift and decelerate by itself. dealer notified. feel free to provide any further information. *ak
04/13/2001		1	04/01/2000
	This transmission has been reported to have a high failure rate and the failure would be disasterous at high speed.*ak

	While pulling out from a stop sign with vehicle in second gear, vehicle locked up in second gear in middle of an intersection. also, vehicle would not accelerate over 20 mph. please provide any further details.*ak
		1	04/01/1997
	Transmission failure at 78,000. almost caused me to have an accident. *ak
			08/01/2000
	I have had to replace the transmission. the inside interior dash and overhead light come on and off when they want to. the dash flashes, when i open the doors sometimes the lights come on and sometimes they don't. the headlights automatic timer when shut off doesn't always work. the right axel on the passingers side needs to be replaces very lose. automatic locks for the 2 back doors don't work.*ak
10/27/2000
	Was driving vehicle when it started to lose power for no reason. it failed to go over 30mph. took it to a private mechanic & was informed a drum broke off in transmission. part holding drum had sheared off. transmission needed complete overhaul. also, had rear tie rods replaced/thermostat was replaced twice for overheating, and 02 sensors replaced twice due to engine check light coming on.*ak
10/24/2000		1	11/01/1999
	No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
01/01/2000		1	10/01/1997
	Leaks fuel directly over engine, extremely dangereous! recall this also! this car also is our second intrepid to have catastrophic transmission failure to be covered under warrenty. also the second intrepid we owned that dealers refuse to fix air conditioner leak, they only spray an anti fungicide on the evaporator coil. *ak
09/13/2000		1
	Consumer unable to shift out of gear or would not shift in gear while driving. dealer notified, and unable to correct the problem. ak the check the engine light came on and stayed on due to the transmission failure. yh
01/30/1999		1	01/30/1999
	Upon depressing accelerator pedal vehicle does not shift into gear. vehicle downshifts , and rpms race high, causing vehicle to jerk fordward. consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has replaced several parts, but problem still occurred. *ak
08/05/2000			03/01/1999
	No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
		2
	Whenever shifting vehicle into low gear, it will not come out of gear. took to dealer to check & repair. had the cable replaced or adjusted ,and bracket replaced. problem still exists. fails to go into reverse. *ak
04/25/1998		30	02/01/1998
	I have a 1997 dodge intrepid. from about 25,000 miles to its current 58,000+ miles, every so often the transmission fails to engage from park to drive, or park to reverse. when this happens, i usually place my foot on the brake and rev up the engine -- the transmission will then usually engage -- with a clunk. when that doesn't work, i usually turn the car off and restart it. the transmission then usually engages immediately. i have taken my car into the dealership twice to have this problem addressed - but they have been unable to even attempt to fix the problem. i am concerned that if my foot slipped off the brake while i rev up the engine - in an attempt to get the transmission to engage -- that i could accidently run over a loved one or hit another car. i feel that the nhtsa and dodge should be aware of this transmission defect. if nhtsa and/or dodge is aware of this problem in other dodge transmisisons, perhaps you can provide me with the information i need to relay to my local dealer for the fix. my extended warranty should cover the repair costs. *ak
12/12/1996			07/04/1996
	Vehicle experienced the following problems: tie rod end replaced, brakes pulled to left, transmission and shocks replaced three occassions, windows won't stay up, steering wheel crooked, reservoir cap replaced twice, brake rotors out of round, rack and pinion replaced twice, fuel gauge replaced, driver window fixed 3 times, tires replaced 3 times in 4 years, child safety seat belt won't adjust and needs replacement. ak ml
10/05/1999		3	04/19/1997
	Would have a delay in gears when shifting transmission. the problem is intermittent. has been to dealer & was informed by mechanic the problem could not be duplicated. after numerous happenings, dealer replaced/repaired a transmission pump-no further problems. *ak
01/01/1999		1	04/19/1997
	Delayed engagement of the transmission transaxle on several occasions. mjs
07/14/1998		1	03/19/1998
	Transmission slipping and hesitation. mjs
			03/15/1998
	Transmission slips/failes after vehicle has been sitting overnight.
10/17/1997		1	01/07/1997
	Power steering pump failed.
03/17/1998
	Transmission slips out of gear while driving.
02/02/1998		1	11/01/1997
	While traveling at 40 mph driver heard a pop and vehicle performed as if it had come out of gear. when attempting to go again driver heard a high pitched whine and vehicle would only go approximately 7-8 mph.
10/13/1996
	Consumer could not get vehicle to reverse, the vehicle than cut off and would not restart, dealer cannot find remedy for the problem. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - COOLING UNIT AND LINES
01/01/1998		1	01/01/1997
	Transmission line leaking oil. nlm
		1	02/12/1997
	Transmission cooling line failure caused leak. yh
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - COLUMN SHIFT
09/19/2006	108766	1	09/01/1998
	Dt: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked in a parking lot, upon attempting to enter the vehicle, the occupant's purse became entangled with the column gear shift allowing the gear shift to move out of place without the keys in the ignition. the vehicle rolled backwards down an incline where a bystander entered the vehicle and engaged the emergency parking brake. there was a nhtsa recall, # 04v021000, regarding the automatic transmission floor shift. the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the vin. the manufacturer was notified. updated 10/18/2006 - nm
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - FLOOR SHIFT
08/08/2007	147000	1
	Tl*the contact owns a 1997 dodge intrepid. the contact stated that the key falls out of the ignition while the vehicle is parked or in motion. the failure can occur while driving at any speed. on august 8, 2007, the vehicle rolled back and struck another vehicle when the key fell from the ignition. there was very little damage to the other vehicle. safety recall number 04v021000 (power train:automatic transmission: lever and linkage:floor shift) was referenced. the purchase date was unknown. the current and failure mileages were 147,000.
01/01/1901		1
	Received recall shifter-interlock. no dealer has parts to do repairs. bf the consumer contacted the dealer about the recall. the representative informed the consumer that he would have to call her back about the recall. to date the consumer has not received a call back and is becoming more concerned about the potential safety hazard. nm
09/01/2004		2
	The recall work could not be done due to lack of parts. nm recall# 04v021000 & 98v184000. the transaxle floor shifter moved while in the park position. sc *jb
09/05/2000	40000	1
	After parking the vehicle and exiting, with the door opened the vehicle rolled and the door knocked the consumer down and the vehicle rolled away and crashed. a recall was received on the shift interlock 04v021000. jb shift interlock inoperative. tc
06/06/2004		1	05/13/2004
	In may of 2004, i purchased a 1997 dodge intrepid es. i later found out on june 6, 2004 that there was recall on a part in my car. the recall was for a new floor shift ignition. so i took my car to the northwestern dodge dealership in ferndale, mi to have this manner handled. on that day i was told that it would take only a few weeks for my part to come in for my recall to be taken care of. to this day, october 3, my car has still not been taken care of. i called the people at the dealership many times to see what the situation is and they would give the runaround. i am a college student and i am very fearful for the safety of myself and my automobile if the car begins to move on its own. this is the only source of transportation that i have and i pray that i don't lose my car because its' makers won't do what they are supposed to do. i hope that this will make some type of influence so something can be done so i can drive my car. thank you. *ak
	90000	1
	There was a gas odor in the cabin of the vehicle when the air vents were on. this was due to the fuel leakage recall 98v184000 but the vehicle identification number was outside the remedy scope. at 112,000 miles the consumer was able to remove keys from the ignition without the vehicle being in park. this was the same defect as stated in the floor shift ignition switch recall 04v021000 but this vehicle had a column shifter and the vehicle identification number was outside the remedy scope. *jb
		1	05/14/1997
	Shift lever does not stay in position and is worse in the winter time. mjs
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH
09/07/2006	0	4	07/10/2006
	I had a recall performed on vehicle last year at martin dodge in bowling green, ky. after getting the services rendered i noticed several problems. one was that the turn signals were no longer operable, automatic transmission would not shift past second gear and would miss gears repeatedly, and abs brakes failed. also noticed that suspension was worse after they performed suspension recalls. i have tried on several occasions to contact the dealership and they only suggested that i bring it for a diagnostic at my cost, even though the problems existed after getting the recalls fixed. i incurred court cost of $166.00 because of improper equipment and the buy, here, pay here lot was requesting $2,280 for a car that i had no choice but to junk it because no being able to pass inspection for the road. i would appreciate anything you could do to aid in me absorbing the cost of this situation. *ak

	The owner's child was able to shift the gear into neutral without the keys being in the car. car rolled in reverse into another vehicle. dealer says it's normal. *ak
07/01/1999
	Vehicle was in park on a incline with the key in hand, but the vehicle was moving.contacted dealer. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER
07/16/1998		1	06/23/1997
	Torque converter failure.
01/10/1998			06/10/1997
	Transmission would not go forward or backward. dealer claims the torque converter blew inside transmission.
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
05/13/1999		1	01/20/1998
	Right front ball joint and axle failed/broken causing damage to steering and suspension components. mjs
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
11/23/1999			02/01/1997
	It started on my way home from work. the car wouldn't go over 30mph, it would't shift into anoter gear. so i drove to the nearest garage and was going to have the car towed to my garage, but the long i thought about it, it would have cost more in the long run, so i let that garage take a look at the car.when i called and they said they wern't sure what the problem was but the had to reset two codes the machine read, and they don't know why it happened,etc... well 3 days later it happened again. it is monday dec,6 1999 after a week they tell me it is a relay switch. i took it to a transmission shop this time. so after $400.00 later a week not having transportation, besides my husband! i'm not very pleased. thinking that i was buying a new car i didn't purchase the extended warranty!! i've learned my lesson!! thank you!!
		1	01/03/1997
	In cold weather the vehicle starts and constantly stalls without warning cause unknown. ak the vehicle failed to start several times. the dealer tried to fix the problem but the problem reoccured. transmission fluid and power steering fluid leaks. the consumer believes the vehicle was lemon. yh
10/17/1997		1	01/07/1997
	Water pump failed.
10/17/1997		1	01/07/1997
	Power steering pump failed.

	Transmission slips out of gear while driving.
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION - COLUMN SHIFT ASSEMBLY
02/22/1999		1	08/01/1998
	Transmission shifter linkage comes out of adjustment preventing the removal of the key after the vehicle is put into the park position and an attempt is made to put the ignition switch in the key removal postion.