DodgeIntrepid20043.5L/dodge/intrepid/2004/3-5l/
LH platform

2004 Dodge Intrepid — 3.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Intrepid 3.5L. Covers both the standard and High Output 3.5L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 3.5LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2004 Dodge Intrepid is a passenger car built on the LH platform, utilizing a 3.5L engine paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. This configuration produces an EPA rating of 17/25/20 mpg and requires 5 quarts of 10W-30 API engine oil during filter changes. Closing out a model run that lasted from 1992 to 2004, this year's 129 owner complaints and two recalls represent a significant decrease from the 1,094 complaints peaked in 2000, although Engine & Engine Cooling remains the top area of concern.

Model year200420032002200120001999199719961995

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/25/20 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 Note the factory engine air filter and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter04591100AC discontinued
Spark plugSZFR5LP13G alt 68304015AA
BatteryBB34F101AA alt BB34U900AA
Front wiper blades05011207AB alt 05011206AC
Serpentine belt04663950AF discontinued · alt 04892479AB
Thermostat04792237AE alt 68027789AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 25 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume104 cu ft
Cargo volume18 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 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts70 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/StudsM6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 20 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub105 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub124 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.4-.6 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.058-0.057 in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
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 Temperature180 °F
Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms

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
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 6,000 mi; spark plugs at 102,000 mi; coolant every 100,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 100,000 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 3,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 18,000 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 102,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Timing 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 2004 Dodge Intrepid sits at the low end of a long downward arc in federal filings after the model's activity peaked at 1,094 complaints and nine recalls in 2000. From 2001 onward, complaints, recalls, investigations, and TSBs all trended lower, with 2004 recording just 129 complaints, two recalls, zero investigations, and 31 TSBs—the smallest totals across every metric in this generation except for the launch-year 1992. Compared with the immediately preceding 2003 model, 2004 is similar in complaints and recalls but drops further in TSBs and is the only year in the dataset with no open investigations. The top complaint categories for 2004 are concentrated in engine and engine cooling (73 complaints), followed by engine, steering, and air bags; the data does not specify root causes. There were also nine crash-related and five fire-related complaints reported. Given that 2004 shows the lowest overall federal activity of any mainstream model year in this record, it appears to be one of the safer Intrepid years to consider from a regulatory-complaint standpoint, though prospective buyers should still inspect engine and cooling systems closely.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
31
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
129
Owner complaints
9 involved a crash · 5 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 129 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling73
Engine6
Steering6
Air Bags4
Power Train4
Structure3
Power Train,Engine2
Service Brakes2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

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…

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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 31 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…
23-015-202020-04-30EquipmentDisinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
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…

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 2004 Intrepid 3.5L take?

5 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 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 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.