Nine problems related to headlights have been reported for the 1997 Dodge Intrepid. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
When brakes are applied, they're occasionally hard. Front end will dip, car slowly slows down, won't come to a stop soon enough. I had barely started to accelerate at a light when the vehicle in front of me stopped suddenly, I applied the brakes, they were hard, brakes wouldn't engage. Causing me to rear ended the vehicle in front of me. I was only going about 5 mph. (spark plug wires) about every 12,000 miles we have to replace the spark plug wires due to the 2nd cylinder wire being burnt from the engine. A simple guard could fix this problem! if not, a fire could result! (seats/seat belts) the seats will lean back slightly & unexpectedly, could cause a serious injury or even death if involved in an accident! the seat belts don't seem to stay tight around the waist. The seat belt sits too high off the lap. If in an accident, I was afraid I would slide under the belt because it's so loose! I wouldn't want that to happen to me, my spouse or any of my children. Head lights) these lights are pathetic! the head lights will go out without any warning, sometimes won't come on at all making it impossible to go anywhere! they are very dim & the high beams are about worthless because the beam is too much to the sides or up too high. Visibility isn't very far and it's too scary to drive at night due to the dim lights.
Rain storm driving at night poor headlighting almost caused me to run off the road,lighting has always been a problem ,no recall to fix the problem either.
Acrylic headlight covers have become yellowed and cloudy, resulting in diminished brightness of headlights at night and in dark weather conditions.
The headlightseere made out of plastic and the outer shell was yellow. Had a hard time seeing when raining. Noticed many Dodge vehicles withthe same problem.
Sun roof- problem existed at time of sale, dealer aware that parts were defective and no replacements available. Still not fixed as of 5/24/1999. Car drifted to the left on flat roads and crowned highways-right lane. Drift was severe. Full lane change within 300 ft or less. Dealer response- all components set to manufacturer's specs. Nothing he can do. Last trip in March 1999 dealer noticed wear on tires and rotated them. Also ordered power steering pump and a steering idler arm. Car does not drift anymore. Front end has had a vibration from day 1. Dealer can't seem to notice it of find out the cause. Changed tires, rotated tires, checked on brake discs, etc. Still no full solution. Vibration is less the first noticed but still present at 5/24/99. Some was corrected 12/08/1997, more remains. Lights do not seem to be bright enough or the throw pattern is wrong. Leaves blind, bark areas in front of car especially the high beams. Dealer response: lights are set according to specs. They seem to throw lights more upward-short range and to the sides. Oncoming traffic complaints.
Headlights do not operate properly on bright beam. When put on dim beam consumer can see a little better. Dealer contacted and repairwork has been done. Problem still exists. Dealer states nothing else can be done to remedy the problem.
When driving at night consumer having is a hard time with seeing the road (poor visibility) due to the headlights being too low and will not stay illuminated. Consumer contacted the dealer and the dealer adjusted the height on 2 separate occasions, but it did not solve problem. Consumer claims headlights need to be replaced.
These headlight are pathetic for a 1997 vehicle! they are not bright enough, especially on high beam. Not safe to drive at night in rural areas. My old 1984 firebird headlights are much better!!! also, the lenses are clouded, not clear but wasn't much better before they were clouded. Dodge should remedy this somehow.
Headlights are very dim and not bright enough to see at night. Problem has been reported to the dealer. Dealer not able to rectify the problem.