2001 Dodge Intrepid

High concern

Owners filed 656 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

517 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles; the median is 76,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine292
060
Engine and Engine Cooling155
1103
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline21
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission17
201
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys15
000
Air Bags › Frontal12
906
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System10
100
Steering9
000
Steering › Rack and Pinion › Rack8
000
Steering › Rack and Pinion7
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. 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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. 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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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 1-909-598-7589.

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner03V035000
Filed Feb 5, 20031,066,000 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.

Risk. IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Structure › Frame and Members01V273000
Filed Aug 2, 2001282,470 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES (NON-SUNROOF ONLY) FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT."

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IF THE OCCUPANT'S HEAD WERE TO CONTACT THE B-PILLAR.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE SENT A STORAGE BIN ACCESSORY UNIT THAT CAN BE ATTACHED TO THE B-PILLAR ALONG WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. HOWEVER, IF AN OWNER WISHES, THE DEALER CAN PERFORM THE INSTALLATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 17, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Child Seat00V366000
Filed Nov 9, 20001,211,756 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Seats
Filed May 1, 2023NY

The contact's father owned a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V035000 (Seats) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list as the vehicle was totaled. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated that the vehicle was donated to the local fire department and no longer exists.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 16, 2020140,000 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL AS THE HORN FAILED WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO ENGAGE AS HE HAD TO INCREASE HIS SPEED TO AVOID BEING REAR-ENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE AND FOUND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE03010 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND BELIEVES THE FAILURE WAS RELATED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 12, 2020134,865 milesMN

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT, THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL FUNCTION AND POWER. WHEN THIS OCCURS I HAVE NO POWER STEERING, LIGHTS, BRAKES, NOTHING. IT FLICKERS ON AND OFF LIKE THAT MULTIPLE TIMES. IT TOOK ME 1 1/2 HOURS TO DRIVE HOME, WHICH SHOULD HAVE TAKEN ONLY HALF HOUR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I CAN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE NOW IN FEAR THAT I WILL BE IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH DODGE VEHICLES. I CAN'T DRIVE MY VAN IN FEAR IT WILL END UP KILLING MYSELF, MY FAMILY, OR SOME INNOCENT PERSON ON THE ROADWAY. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. A RECALL IS NEEDED TO FIND THIS ONGOING ISSUE. THERE ISN'T A SPECIFIC DATE BUT A CONSTANT ISSUE.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 21, 2019162,000 milesIA

STRONG GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR AND THROUGH THE AIR VENTS WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING. NO VISIBLE LEAKS UNDER CAR.

Engine
Filed Jul 2, 2019125,000 milesMI

ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON, VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS TOWED TO GARAGE. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS TIMING CHAIN SENSOR WEAR, DUE TO STRETCHED TIMING CHAIN RELATED TO WELL DOCUMENTED OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM IN 2.7L V6 ENGINE. AFTER THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED, DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS AND ENGINE LIGHT REAPPEARED. FOR APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS, VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH ENGINE LIGHT TURNING ON AND OFF ON ITS OWN. AT TIMES, THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START, PARTICULARLY IN COLD WEATHER, BUT WOULD RESOLVE ITSELF AND START FINE WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNING OFF. AFTER 18 MONTHS, THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED LIT ALL THE TIME. IT WOULD STALL IN TRAFFIC AND THE OIL LIGHT WOULD APPEAR. AT THIS POINT, AFTER READING THOUSANDS OF OTHERS COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE/ENGINE AND UNDERSTANDING ENGINE REPAIR COSTS WOULD ECLIPSE THE VALUE, I DECIDED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

Seat Belts
Filed Dec 27, 201864,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PLACING A CHILD IN THE REAR CHILD SEAT, THE SEAT BELT FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE INSPECTED BEFORE THEY WOULD DECIDE IF THEY WOULD COVER THE COSTS. THE DEALER (SPITZER MOTORS OF MANSFIELD CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM, 1777 W 4TH ST, MANSFIELD, OH 44906, (419) 513-8278) STATED THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO HAVE A CASE NUMBER FROM THE MANUFACTURER BEFORE THEY WOULD REPAIR THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000...*BF CONSUMER STATED REAR SEAT BELT BOLT BROKE OFF. *JB

Air Bags
Filed Jul 25, 2017128,000 milesOH

TAKATA RECALL, THE CAR HAD A SAFETY BULLETIN FOR THE AIR BAG SWITCH. THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED A FAULTY AIRBAG SWITCH. THEY SAID THE PART WOULD BE ORDERED, NO ONE GOT TO ME. THE AIRBAG IS PARTIALLY INFLATED.

Engine
Filed May 20, 2017CA

PURCHASED 2001 IN 2004 DRIVING TO WORK CAR STALLED ON FREEWAY AND CUT OFF. TOOK TO AUTO SHOP DETERMINED ENGINE FROZE. REPLACED ENGINE 2009(NEEDED TO SAVE UP) ENGINE HAS GIVEN OUT AGAIN 2017. THERE IS OIL SLUG IN ENGINE.

Electrical System › Horn
Filed Feb 9, 2015249,000 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE STALLED. AS A RESULT, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 249,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 3, 2015145,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 7, 2014CA

SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR 09/2001 THE PASSENGER WINDOW MADE NOISE, BOTH OPENING AND CLOSING THE WINDOW. NOW BOTH WINDOWS MAKE THE SAME NOISE. WAS AND HAVE BEEN BASICALLY IGNORED WITH MY COMPLAINT. INTERIOR LIGHT FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. HAVE HAD PASSENGERS IN THE CAR WHEN IT HAS HAPPENED, SO IT'S NOT MY IMAGINATION. THIS HAS WAS DISMISSED WHEN QUESTIONING WHY IS THIS HAPPENING. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 11, 201469,000 milesCA

WATER PUMP FAILURE THEN TIMING CHAIN SLIP. *TR

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Jun 19, 2014CA

2001 DODGE INTREPID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A WARRANTY CLAIM ISSUE ON A NEW OEM A/C COMPRESSOR THAT FAILED FOUR MONTHS AFTER INSTALLATION. *SMD

Air Bags
Filed Mar 18, 2014IN

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON , THEN NO CRUISE CONTROL, NO HORN, AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. WAS TOLD THAT THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. CALLED DEALERSHIP IN BLOOMINGTON, IN. AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW AND THAT THEY DON'T HANDLE RECALLS. *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 18, 2012145,000 milesOH

CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 60 MILES AN HOUR. I HEAR THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL BUT SEEMS TO BE A FREQUENT COMPLIANT ABOUT THIS CAR. IF SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SAFETY FACTORS. BUT I AM SURE THE BIG CAR COMPANY WILL NOT ALLOW ANY OF THIS TO COME TO FRUITION AND FOCUS ON THE SAFETY OF THE CONSUMER. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 30, 2011111,142 milesIL

2001 DODGE INTREPID R/T 3.5L WITH 111,422 MILES. WHILE DRIVING ON THE TOLLWAY, THE HEATER BEGAN TO BLOW OUT COOL AIR. LATER THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION AND THE CAR JUST DIED. GOT THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHILE IN TRAFFIC. HAD TO BE TOWED. ENGINE IS LOCKED UP. NEW ENGINE ESTIMATE $5000-$7500. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR WARNINGS. PRIOR TO THIS EVENT WE HAD A NEW RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, ETC. PUT IN ALONG WITH FIXING OIL LEAKAGE PROBLEM. THAT WAS JULY 28, 2011 WITH 107,809 MILES ON IT. WE ALWAYS CHANGED OUR OIL REGULARLY AND TOOK CARE OF IT. WE BOUGHT THIS 2001 R/T INTREPID NEW. THE ONLY OTHER REAL PROBLEM WAS @ 106,939 MILES IT WOULDN'T GO BACK INTO DRIVE ONCE YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE SO WE PUT IN A USED CONTROL MODULE TO FIX THAT PROBLEM. I HAVE READ ABOUT A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE 2.7L ENGINE BUT CAN'T FIND MUCH INFORMATION ON THE 3.5 R/T MODEL. SO SCARY TO THINK HOW MANY 2001 INTREPIDS ARE JUST DYING ON THE ROAD WITH NO ADVANCE NOTICE. VERY DANGEROUS. I AM SO GLAD THAT MY SON WAS DRIVING IT AND KNEW WHAT TO DO INSTEAD OF MY NEWLY-LICENSED DAUGHTER. IT WAS HER CAR FOR ONLY 4 1/2 MONTHS. DODGE SHOULD BE ASHAMED. WE GOT MORE MILEAGE OUT OF A CHEVY CAVALIER. ARE THERE ANY CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS OUT THERE? *KB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 29, 20116,700 milesIL

I WAS TOLD MY MOTOR 2.7 WAS TOTALED BECAUSE OF SLUDGE. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 9, 201199,000 milesAR

STOPPED AT STOP LIGHT AND TURNED TO THE LEFT STEERING POPPED AND THEN THERE WAS PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL. PLAY GOT WORSE OVER TIME WENT TO PAYTON DODGE IN CLINTON THEY REPLACED TIEROD ON LEFT AND HAD CAR BALANCED GOT CAR BACK IT WAS WORSE INFORMED THEM, THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO PICK THE CAR UP NEVER DID AND AFTER 2 WEEKS TOOK CAR TO ANOTHER GARAGE WHERE I ALMOST GOT RUN OVER BY A BIG TRUCK BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT HARDLY TURN TO THE LEFT ON SHARP TURNS AND WAS MAKING POPPING NOISE THE RACK AND PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED. I THINK BECAUSE OF THE HISTORY OF DODGE AND THE RACK AND PINION PAYTON DODGE DID NOT WANT TO WORK ON IT.

Steering
Filed Jul 14, 201157,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Apr 30, 2011100,000 milesMN

I WAS ON MY WAY TO ALDI'S AND BEFORE I PULLED UP INTO THE PARKING LOT THE CAR SHUT OFF AND DID NOT START AGAIN FLUIDS WERE RUNNING FROM UNDERNEATH I HAD IT TOWED AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE WATER PUMP AND THE RESULT OF THAT MADE ANTI FREEZE MIX WITH THE OIL IN THE ENGINE AND I TOOK IT TO A SECOND MECHANIC AND THEY SAID PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING EXCEPT THEY ADDED THAT THEY DID A COMPRESSION TEST AND IT FAILED SO IT NEEDED TO BE REBUILT AT SOME POINT OF TIME . *TR

20 of 656 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2004129250Routine
20031062101Fatalities reported
2002329391Fatalities reported
2001 — this page6565220High concern
20001,0659220High concern
19999976133Fatalities reported
19983775125Fatalities reported
19973442262Fatalities reported
19965052220High concern
19955893277Fatalities reported
19947184230High concern
19934085100Above average
19922000Routine

Compare every Intrepid year →

Reading this record

A high number of complaints describe fires or crashes.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.