DodgeIntrepid19973.5L/dodge/intrepid/1997/3-5l/
LH platform

1997 Dodge Intrepid — 3.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 Intrepid 3.5L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 3.5LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1997 Dodge Intrepid 3.5L is a passenger car built on Chrysler's LH platform, combining a 3.5-liter engine with a four-speed automatic transmission and EPA ratings of 16/24/19 mpg, while routine oil service calls for 5.5 quarts of 5W-30 API oil with the filter. Within the 1992-2004 model run, owner complaints peaked at 1,094 for the 2000 model year and bottomed at two for 1992, leaving the 1997 edition's 384 complaints in the lower-middle range of the nameplate's historical volume. That positioning makes the 1997 Intrepid neither the most complaint-prone year nor the cleanest, so its two recalls and leading complaint area—Fuel System, Gasoline—remain the key reference points for assessing this model year's reliability.

Model year200420032002200120001999199719961995

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/24/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-60R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter04573031 discontinued
Fuel filter04554040 discontinued
Spark plug68304020AA alt SP0RN14MC5
Front wiper blades04886130AA alt 04723444
Serpentine belt04663950AF discontinued · alt 04792398AA
Thermostat04573560AE discontinued · alt 04781661AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 24 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume104 cu ft
Cargo volume17 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts85 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts75 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts9.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub110-130 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub124 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)525 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)175 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.45-.65 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance7000-15,800 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.033-0.038 in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.75 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)46-50
RPM37-41 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.019 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.029 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.96 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
140 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9040 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
145.0 ft. lbs.45 ft. lbs
265.0 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
365.0 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
490 degrees Do not use a torque wrench for this step.90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
At 105,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1997 Dodge Intrepid shows a notable drop in complaints compared with the preceding years, falling to 384 from a peak of 848 in 1994 and continuing the downward trend from 580 in 1996. Recalls remained low at 2 in 1997, matching the 1996 level and well below the higher counts seen in 1993‑1995 and the later rise to 4‑9 recalls from 1998 onward. Investigations and technical service bulletins also reflect this pattern, with 4 investigations and 85 TSBs in 1997, sitting between the lower 1996 figures and the spike in TSBs that begins in 1998. The top complaint areas for 1997 are fuel system (73), steering (44), engine/cooling (43) and power train (38), while crash‑ and fire‑related complaints each total 26. Given the comparatively low complaint and recall numbers for 1997 relative to both earlier and later model years, it represents a relatively favorable year to consider for a used purchase, though the noted system‑specific complaints suggest a pre‑purchase inspection focusing on fuel, steering and engine components is advisable.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
85
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
384
Owner complaints
26 involved a crash · 26 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 384 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline73
Steering44
Engine & Engine Cooling43
Power Train38
Electrical System29
Visibility16
Service Brakes, Hydraulic14
Air Bags13

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

04V021000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor ShiftReported 13/01/2004

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… Remedy: 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…

98V184000Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection SystemReported 06/08/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THE FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM CAN LEAK FUEL FROM SOME OF THE SEALING O-RINGS OR FROM HAIR LINE CRACKS IN THE THERMOSET FUEL INJECTION RAIL. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL O-RINGS AND REINFORCE THE OUTLET (PASSENGER) SIDE FUEL RAIL. VEHICLES SHOWING FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE OUTLET FUEL RAIL MUST HAVE THE OUTLET RAIL…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 85 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31006192019-11-20StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…
31003192019-11-20StructureUse of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31-006-192019-11-20StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Intrepid. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1997 Intrepid 3.5L take?

5.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1997 Intrepid have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.5L get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.