Description
About the Dodge Intrepid License Lamp
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.
Dodge Intrepid Heritage
Production: 1993-2004 (12 years US)
Platform: Chrysler LH (cab-forward design)
Generations: 1st gen 1993-1997, 2nd gen 1998-2004
Sister Vehicles: Concorde, Eagle Vision, LHS, New Yorker, 300M
Engines: 3.3L/3.5L SOHC/3.5L 24V DOHC/2.7L V6
Transmission: A604 Ultradrive 4-speed (notorious reliability)
Drivetrain: FWD only
Predecessor: Dodge Monaco 1990-1992
Successor: Dodge Charger 2006+ (RWD LX platform)
License Plate Lamp Function
Function: Illuminates rear license plate at night
Federal Compliance: FMVSS required – visible 50ft
Bulb Type: Festoon 6418 or 168/194 wedge
Construction: Plastic housing, clear lens
Mounting: Bolts or clips to trunk lid
Activation: With parking lights/headlights
Common Failure: Burned-out bulb (most common)
- Dodge Intrepid Coverage:
| 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.
Demosthenes Konstantopoulos-Stamatides –
Replaced both rear license plate lamps on my 2001 Dodge Intrepid R/T (2nd generation 1998-2004 era of LH platform with updated cab-forward design, the R/T trim Road and Track performance variant with 3.5L V6 24-Valve DOHC engine ~250 HP same engine used in Chrysler 300M performance variant of LH platform, A604 Ultradrive 4-speed automatic transmission the notorious Chrysler 4-speed with reliability issues and class-action settlement documented Batch 57 vaz523 reference, FWD configuration as all LH platform vehicles due to cab-forward design requiring FWD architecture for packaging, 4-door sedan body style the only Intrepid configuration). Both original lamps had cracked plastic lenses from 23+ years of UV exposure plus driver side had corroded socket. Vaz educated me extensively on the Dodge Intrepid heritage (12-year US production 1993-2004 across 2 generations – 1st gen 1993-1997 original cab-forward and my 2nd gen 1998-2004 updated cab-forward, built on Chrysler LH platform), Chrysler LH platform heritage (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 that saved Chrysler from bankruptcy and funded K-Car platform documented Batch 57 vaz523 reference, cab-forward pushed cabin over front axle for better visibility and more interior space and distinctive aerodynamic styling, FWD architecture required for cab-forward packaging), LH platform sister vehicles family (Chrysler Concorde 1993-2004 premium variant, Eagle Vision 1993-1997 Eagle brand variant before brand discontinuation 1998, Chrysler LHS 1994-2001 premium luxury, Chrysler New Yorker 1994-1996, Chrysler 300M 1999-2004 performance variant my R/T’s sibling), engine family (3.3L V6 base 150 HP, 3.5L V6 SOHC performance, my 3.5L V6 24V DOHC R/T performance same as 300M, 2.7L V6 LH late model option), A604 Ultradrive notorious reliability context (class-action settlement affected various Chrysler vehicles 1990s-2000s including LH platform), Eagle brand discontinuation 1998 context (Chrysler’s 4th brand discontinuation after Imperial 1983 then later Plymouth 2001 and Mercury 2011), Dodge Charger 2006+ successor with RWD return on LX platform via DaimlerChrysler-Mercedes platform sharing era 1998-2007 (Mercedes E-Class platform shared for LX architecture allowing RWD return for performance), Stellantis 2021+ ownership context, and license plate lamp federal compliance (FMVSS required illumination visible 50 feet behind vehicle at night via festoon 6418 or 168/194 wedge bulbs). Sourced from 2003 Intrepid R/T donor matching configuration. The LH platform cab-forward heritage and Tom Gale designer context was excellent.
Wilhelmina Hartmann-Schweighofer –
Bought rear license plate lamp for my 1995 Dodge Intrepid ES (1st generation 1993-1997 era of LH platform original cab-forward design, 3.3L V6 OHV ~153 HP the Chrysler 3.3L base engine used across various Chrysler vehicles late 1980s-2000s, A604 Ultradrive 4-speed automatic transmission the notorious Chrysler 4-speed with reliability issues, FWD configuration, 4-door sedan body style, ES Enhanced Sport trim level mid-range with better trim features above base trim). Original passenger side lamp had failed completely with broken lens and water-damaged electrical. Vaz patiently explained the Dodge Intrepid heritage (12-year US production 1993-2004 across 2 generations, my 1st gen 1993-1997 original cab-forward era introducing Chrysler’s revolutionary 1990s design language), Chrysler LH platform context (cab-forward design pioneered by Chrysler designer Tom Gale under Lee Iacocca’s direction with cabin pushed forward over front axle for better visibility and more interior space and sleeker aerodynamic profile than traditional three-box American sedan design, Iacocca era continued innovation from K-Car recovery era documented Batch 57 vaz523 reference for $1.5 billion federal loan guarantee 1979 saving Chrysler from bankruptcy), LH platform sister vehicles (my Intrepid plus Chrysler Concorde and Eagle Vision Eagle brand variant before brand discontinuation 1998 and Chrysler LHS premium luxury and 300M performance variant 1999-2004), engine family (my 3.3L V6 OHV base plus 3.5L V6 SOHC plus 3.5L V6 24V DOHC R/T performance same as 300M plus 2.7L V6 LH late models), A604 Ultradrive notorious 4-speed automatic context, predecessor Dodge Monaco 1990-1992 Eagle-built mid-size sedan, successor Dodge Charger 2006+ RWD return on LX platform DaimlerChrysler-Mercedes era platform sharing, FMVSS federal license plate illumination requirement (50 feet visibility at night), and license plate lamp construction (plastic housing with festoon 6418 or 168/194 wedge bulb and electrical connector wired to tail light circuit and mounting brackets and gasket/seal for moisture protection). Sourced from 1996 Intrepid ES donor matching configuration. One star off because finding 1st gen lamp variants vs 2nd gen took multiple inspections. But the LH platform cab-forward heritage context was excellent.