Four problems related to underhood wiring have been reported for the 1996 Dodge Intrepid. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Consumer was driving at 70 mph, when vehicle started to fill with smoke. Consumer pulled over , then, saw flames coming from under the hood. The fire department responded, and the vehicle was totaled.
When the car was purchased (used) in 3/99, the rear defroster didn't work. The car was sent to charlie thomas Chrysler for repair and the fuseable link was repaired (6/99). On 10/25/00 the rear defroster was on and smoke started billowing out of the interior vents. I stopped the car and had the car towed to clearlake Dodge for repair. The mechanic repaired wire harness damage leading up to the fuseable link and replaced the entire main wire harness due to melting and shorting in the main harness. The rear defroster circuit was discovered to be shorted into a metal clip and it is presumed that this caused the overload. The overload caused melting and scorching in the rear defrost circuit and the main wire harness. The fuseable link failed to protect the main wire harness. The failure of the fuseable link caused a dangerous condition that could have led to a fire or an accident (if all electrical power was lost).
While driving about 25 mph, all of sudden windshield wipers activated and smoke started coming from dashbroad. Smoke fogged up all windows, causing poor driver visibility. Driver quckly pulled into an automotive shop. A mechanic disconnected the battery. Mechanic found all three wiring harness were melted together. Repairs to vehicle through state farm insurance.
While driving about 25 mph she smelled something burning, then, she noticed smoke coming from dash. She shut off engine, plastic on dash had melted. Vehicle towed to dealer, replaced dash, and electrical parts. Did not tell consumer what parts were replaced.