Direct fit Dodge Intrepid 1993-2004 (12-year US production large sedan). The Dodge Intrepid was Chrysler's large sedan built on the famous LH platform - introduced 1993 as REVOLUTIONARY 'CAB-FORWARD' DESIGN pioneered by Chrysler designer Tom Gale under Lee Iacocca's direction, continuing Iacocca's Chrysler recovery era innovation (1979 federal loan guarantee context that saved Chrysler from bankruptcy and funded K-Car platform - Batch 57 vaz523 reference). Cab-forward design pushed cabin forward over front axle for better visibility, more interior space, distinctive aerodynamic styling.
LH platform sister vehicles (Chrysler's famous 1990s 'cab-forward' family): Dodge Intrepid (1993-2004), Chrysler Concorde (1993-2004 premium variant), Eagle Vision (1993-1997 Eagle brand variant - Eagle brand discontinued 1998), Chrysler LHS (1994-2001 premium luxury variant), Chrysler New Yorker (1994-1996), Chrysler 300M (1999-2004 performance variant with European-influenced styling and 3.5L 24-valve DOHC V6). LH platform was VERY SUCCESSFUL establishing Chrysler as modern luxury car manufacturer in 1990s.
Intrepid generations: 1st gen 1993-1997 (original cab-forward design), 2nd gen 1998-2004 (updated cab-forward with refinements). 4-door sedan only (no coupe or wagon). Approximately 201-inch length, 74-inch width, 55-inch height (lower profile than traditional sedans due to cab-forward design). Engines: 3.3L V6 base (~150 HP Chrysler OHV V6), 3.5L V6 SOHC (~214 HP performance), 3.5L V6 24-valve DOHC (~250 HP R/T performance variant, same engine in 300M), 2.7L V6 LH (some late models). A604 Ultradrive 4-speed automatic (the famous Chrysler 4-speed with notorious reliability issues and class-action settlement - Batch 57 vaz523 reference). 41TE/42LE Ultradrive variants. FWD only throughout production.
Trim levels: Base, ES (Enhanced Sport), R/T (Road and Track - performance with 3.5L 24V engine 2nd gen), SE (Sport Edition). Predecessor: Dodge Monaco (1990-1992 Eagle-built mid-size sedan). Successor: Dodge Charger 2006+ with RWD return on LX platform (same as Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum) following DaimlerChrysler-Mercedes platform sharing era 1998-2007. All LH platform vehicles discontinued 2004 as Chrysler transitioned to LX platform 2005+ for RWD modern sedans.
License plate lamp definition: small light fixture that illuminates the rear license plate for visibility at night, FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS (FMVSS) REQUIRED illumination. Functions: (1) Plate illumination (white light illuminating plate when vehicle lights on), (2) Federal compliance (US federal motor vehicle safety standards require license plate visibility 50 feet behind vehicle at night for identification), (3) Safety (police/other vehicles can identify vehicle by plate number), (4) Always-on when headlights/parking lights on (activates automatically with other exterior lighting).
Construction: plastic or metal housing, bulb (typically festoon 6418 or small wedge bulb like 168/194 glass bulb), electrical connector wired to tail light circuit, mounting brackets (bolts or clips to trunk lid or bumper), lens (clear or light frosted), gasket/seal preventing moisture intrusion (important salt-belt areas). Located mounted above or around rear license plate area (typically trunk lid on Intrepid). Intrepid typically uses 2 lamps (left and right of plate) for better illumination.
Common failure modes: (1) Burned-out bulb (MOST COMMON - filament burns out from years of use, easy repair with new bulb), (2) Broken lens (cracked plastic lens from impact or UV degradation), (3) Corroded socket (moisture intrusion - common salt-belt areas), (4) Loose wiring (wire connection at socket comes loose), (5) Broken mounting bracket (plastic tabs crack with age), (6) Water damage (moisture inside housing damages electrical).
Replacement is easy DIY (15-30 minutes per lamp): open trunk for access, locate bulb socket behind lens, twist socket counter-clockwise to remove, pull bulb from socket, inspect socket for corrosion (clean if needed), install new bulb (verify correct type), reinsert socket and twist to lock, test by turning headlights on.
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Dodge Intrepid 1st Gen 1993-1997 | Original cab-forward design |
| Dodge Intrepid 2nd Gen 1998-2004 | Updated cab-forward |
| Trim Specific: | |
| Intrepid Base, ES, SE, R/T | Same lamp typically per generation |
| LH Platform Sister Vehicles: | |
| Chrysler Concorde 1993-2004 | Often same lamp (sister vehicle) |
| Eagle Vision 1993-1997 | May share lamp with Intrepid 1st gen |
| Chrysler LHS 1994-2001 | Premium variant - similar lamp typically |
| Chrysler New Yorker 1994-1996 | Premium variant - may share |
| Chrysler 300M 1999-2004 | Performance variant - may share 2nd gen |
| Position Specific: | |
| Left (Driver Side) | Specific configuration |
| Right (Passenger Side) | Mirror configuration |
| NOT Compatible: Dodge Charger 2006+ | Different LX platform (RWD successor) |
| NOT Compatible: Dodge Monaco 1990-1992 | Different Eagle Premier platform predecessor |
| NOT Compatible: Modern Dodge Vehicles | Different platforms |
Call (240) 301-0095. Critical questions: (1) Year/generation (1st gen 1993-1997 or 2nd gen 1998-2004 - DIFFERENT lamps potentially). (2) Left or right lamp (Intrepid typically has 2 lamps - mirror configurations). (3) Trim level (usually same lamp across trims). (4) Bulb type (verify festoon 6418 or wedge 168/194 needed). (5) Body color preference if lens is color-tinted variant.
| Part Type | Rear license plate lamp / tag light |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | Dodge Intrepid 1993-2004 |
| Production | 12 years US (2 generations) |
| Platform | Chrysler LH (cab-forward design) |
| Generations | 1st (1993-1997) | 2nd (1998-2004) |
| Cab Forward Designer | Tom Gale (Chrysler) under Iacocca era |
| Sister Vehicles | Concorde | Eagle Vision | LHS | New Yorker | 300M |
| Engines | 2.7L V6 | 3.3L V6 | 3.5L V6 SOHC/DOHC |
| Transmissions | A604 Ultradrive 4-speed (41TE/42LE) |
| Drivetrain | FWD only |
| Body Style | 4-door sedan only |
| Trim Levels | Base | SE | ES | R/T |
| Predecessor | Dodge Monaco 1990-1992 |
| Successor | Dodge Charger 2006+ (RWD LX platform) |
| Discontinuation | 2004 (all LH platform vehicles) |
| Lamp Function | Federal-required rear plate illumination |
| Construction | Plastic housing | festoon/wedge bulb | clear lens |
| Mounting | Bolts or clips to trunk lid |
| Common Failure | Burned-out bulb (most common) | broken lens | corroded socket |
Contact (240) 301-0095 within 15 days of delivery.
