1994 Dodge Intrepid ES from North America - Comments

Fuel rail needed to be replaced. Work done by dealer at no cost to me.

Front rotors needed to be replaced but I talked someone into turning them (even though they were under thickness) and I lived with them long enough that the local parts shop finally carried them at a good price (about $25 each). I then replaced the rotors myself.

Steering creaked and moaned on cold mornings. Eventually I found out that the bushings mounted on the rack were shot. The price quoted at the dealer for repair was absurd. I found a local parts shop with an after-market rebuild kit for about $15. Replaced bushings and it worked fine.

Power steering has never been "power", especially when trying to park. Lately it's gotten even harder but it still works about equal to non-power steering. It hasn't been what I wanted but I've managed to live with it.

Air conditioning system has leaked for years. Dealer said that it wasn't at the evaporator so he wouldn't replace it for free. I've managed to get by for the last 4 years by adding 2 to 3 cans of freon per year. Since the R-134a costs less than $5 (on sale) per can, it's a lot cheaper than AC repairs. Note: If the freon level is too low the compressor won't kick in - you have to run a jumper wire from the battery to the wire leading to the compressor and force the compressor to run.

The transmission will not always engage when the weather is cold. The car has to idle until the engine/transmission warm up. Sometimes this can take 4 or 5 minutes. It was repaired once under warranty. According to the mechanic, it's a problem with a seal but the whole transmission has to be dismantled to fix it. After the warranty ended, I began to replace the transmission fluid and add a can of additive whenever it starts slipping. It's been working for the last couple of years this way.

The CD Player quit working but I don't need to listen to CD's anyway.

The two-piece lug nuts supplied with the car kept breaking. I had to carry a lug wrench and also a socket and ratchet (for the lug nuts that broke). I kept replacing them as they broke, but eventually I just replaced all of them with a one-piece lug nut.

Not a bad car at all provided that:

A. You do your own work

B. You are willing to lived with continuing "fixes" instead of a real repair.

C. You are willing to overlook a few problems.

If you are someone who wants everything "fixed right" and you take your cars to a dealer, you'll need a second job to afford one of these.

You are so right. I bought this same car a year ago and EVERY single thing you mentioned is happening to my car, and more. My brakes never stop squeaking (SO ANNOYING) even the day after having all new brakes and rotors put on, the shops all said the same thing "It's a Dodge what do you expect?" I'm so sick of hearing that. I have had nothing but problems with this piece of crap and I will never buy an American car as long as I live because of a 94 Dodge Intrepid ES.