Dodge›Intrepid›1998›2.7L/dodge/intrepid/1998/2-7l/
LH platform

1998 Dodge Intrepid — 2.7L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Intrepid 2.7L.

Engine 2.7LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Dodge Intrepid rides the LH platform with a 2.7-liter engine and four-speed automatic transmission, carrying EPA fuel-economy ratings of 18 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Amassing 384 total owner complaints—concentrated in engine and engine cooling systems—and four recalls, this model year sits roughly midway through the 1992–2004 production span, registering well below the 2000 high of 1,094 grievances yet far above the 1992 baseline of two. This positioning indicates a reliability profile that predates the model line's most troubled years while showing clear escalation from its launch period.

Model year2004200320022001200019991998

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/28/22 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 · 500 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, spark plug, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-60R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter04591099AB discontinued
Fuel filter04546610 discontinued
Spark plug68304017AA discontinued · alt 68304015AA
BatteryBB34F101AA alt BB34U900AA
Front wiper blades05011207AB alt 05011206AC
Serpentine belt04892479AB discontinued · alt 04663950AF
Thermostat68027789AA discontinued · alt 04792237AE

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 28 / 22 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 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 / 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 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 Oil5W-30 · API · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)1.7 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts125 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts75 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 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.4-.6 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 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 Performance500 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)Longitudinal engines 44.0-54.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle16 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket16 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.458 in / 1.019 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9020 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
1Bolts 1 - 8 to 48 N##m (35 ft. lbs.)35 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1 - 8 to 75 N##m (55 ft. lbs.)55 ft. lbs
3Bolts 1 - 8 to 75 N##m (55 ft. lbs.)55 ft. lbs
4Bolts 1 - 8 to +90 degrees Turn Do not use a torque wrench for this step.90 degrees
5Bolts 9 - 11 to 28 N##m (250 in. lbs.)250 in
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
1All to 61 N##m (45 ft. lbs.)45 ft. lbs
2All to 88 N##m (65 ft. lbs.)65 ft. lbs
3All (again) to 88 N##m (65 ft. lbs.)65 ft. lbs
4+ 90 degrees Turn Do not use a torque wrench for this step.; Bolt torque after 90 degrees turn should be over 122 N##m (90 ft. lbs.) in the tightening direction. If not, replace the bolt.90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Tighten the cap bolts to finger tight. Step 215 ft. lbs

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 100,000 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) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Power Steering Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace) · Spark Plugs (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 federal record for the Dodge Intrepid generation reveals a dramatic arc, with complaints initially peaking in 1994 at 848 before declining to 384 in 1997, only to spike sharply to 1,058 in 1999 and 1,094 in 2000. The 1998 model year sits directly at this inflection point, matching 1997's low of 384 total complaints but immediately preceding the generation's worst reliability crisis. However, 1998 saw a doubling of recalls to 4 and a massive surge to 130 Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs)—the highest of the generation—indicating the manufacturer was actively patching emerging issues. For the 1998 model specifically, engine and engine cooling problems dominate the record with 172 complaints, including 12 fire incidents and 30 crash complaints, though the data does not specify the root cause of these failures. Because the 1998 Intrepid acts as a precursor to the generation's severe 1999-2000 spike and carries a disproportionate TSB count alongside significant engine fire risks, it is a risky used car purchase that should generally be avoided.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
130
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
384
Owner complaints
30 involved a crash · 12 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’92’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 384 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling172
Service Brakes, Hydraulic27
Steering20
Power Train20
Air Bags18
Electrical System16
Visibility12
Vehicle Speed Control10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

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… Remedy: 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…

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 130 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
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…

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.

Group 34 batteryVehicles taking 5 qt w/ filterLH-platform vehiclesEngine oil filter 05281090ABEngine air filter 04591099ABFuel filter 04546610Spark plug 68304017AA

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Intrepid 2.7L take?

5 qt w/ filter of BELOW 32 F: 5W-30 API, BELOW 100 F: 5W-30 API, ABOVE 0 F: 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Intrepid have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.7L get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 28 highway / 22 combined mpg.