IllustrationDT: THE CONTACT STATED TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH. THE ENGINE I LOCKED, AND WILL HAVE TO BE REBUILT. THE MECHANIC STATED THE OIL WAS NOT GETTING THROUGH THE WHOLE ENGINE, RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE. SHE CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND THEY OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY.*A
2001 Dodge Intrepid
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Dodge Intrepid do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 377.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Intrepid years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
140–25K
6325–50K
16950–75K
17275–100K
89100–150K
11150K+
518 reports with mileage · 138 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 520 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
22 crash reports22 fire reports15 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
520 reportsCAR SEIZED UP AFTERNOON OF OCT. 14, 2005. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED WITH OIL CHANGES EVERY 3-5,000 MILES. *JB
DT: CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE INTREPID. ON 10-06-05 THE CONTACT'S GRANDSON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE CONTACT REPORTSED OF HAVING NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS THAT CAME ON PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. SHE HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THEY TOLD HER THE MOTOR…
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DT: CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE INTREPID. ON 10-06-05 THE CONTACT'S GRANDSON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE CONTACT REPORTSED OF HAVING NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS THAT CAME ON PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. SHE HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THEY TOLD HER THE MOTOR BLEW OUT. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON IT. THE MECHANIC AT THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD HER HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HER TO CALL THE NHTSA. HER DAUGHTER FOUND THE NUMBER ON THE WEBSITE. THE CONTACT TALKED TO A DODGE MANUFACTURER IN DETROIT. THEY GAVE HER A CLAIM NUMBER: 14143722. THEY TOLD HER TO SHOW PROOF OF ALL OF THE OIL CHANGES SHE HAD DONE ON THE CAR ,AND THEY WOULD TAKE IT UP FROM THERE. THE MECHANIC TOLD HER THE OIL WAS VERY CLEAN. HE HAD JUST CHANGED IT ABOUT SIX WEEKS AGO. *AK
NORMAL DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BEFORE I COULD GET ONTO NEXT EXIT (1/4 MILE), ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING. TOOK EXIT AND PULLED DIRECTLY INTO CLOSED CAR DEALERSHIP PARKING LOT. ENGINE DIED. OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE. CALLED MECHANIC. TOWED CAR TO HIS SHOP. HAD CAR FOR 6 MONTHS TRYING TO FIND REPLACEMENT ENGINE. PUT…
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NORMAL DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BEFORE I COULD GET ONTO NEXT EXIT (1/4 MILE), ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING. TOOK EXIT AND PULLED DIRECTLY INTO CLOSED CAR DEALERSHIP PARKING LOT. ENGINE DIED. OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE. CALLED MECHANIC. TOWED CAR TO HIS SHOP. HAD CAR FOR 6 MONTHS TRYING TO FIND REPLACEMENT ENGINE. PUT IN REBUILT ENGINE. AFTER 5 MONTHS, ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING AS BEFORE. STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND HAD TOWED TO MY HOUSE WHERE IT NOW SITS. 1ST ENGINE AND PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *JB
ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. HAD TO COAST ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE EXIT. DIAGNOSIS IS THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP. SECOND TIME MAJOR WORK HAS HAD TO BE DONE TO THIS ENGINE DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP. *NM
ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A TAPPING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MOTOR WAS FULL OF SLUDGE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THAT CHRYSLER EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR. HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP - REPLACED TIMING CHAIN, TENSIONER, OIL PUMP. COST OF REPAIR APPROX. $2450. O…
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ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A TAPPING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MOTOR WAS FULL OF SLUDGE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THAT CHRYSLER EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR. HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP - REPLACED TIMING CHAIN, TENSIONER, OIL PUMP. COST OF REPAIR APPROX. $2450. OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. *NM
DT: THE MOTOR STALLED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHICH CAUSED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE MOTOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER W…
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DT: THE MOTOR STALLED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHICH CAUSED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE MOTOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 4,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER IT COOLED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND TOWED TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC. *SC
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 2001 DODGE INTREPID HAD AN ENGINE PROBLEM. THE BLOCK ON THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONSUMER HA PUT A NEW ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER RECORDED EVERY TIME THAT THE OIL WAS CHANGED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A MAINTENANCE PROBLEM ON THE CAR. THE CAR HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ENG…
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DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 2001 DODGE INTREPID HAD AN ENGINE PROBLEM. THE BLOCK ON THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONSUMER HA PUT A NEW ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER RECORDED EVERY TIME THAT THE OIL WAS CHANGED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A MAINTENANCE PROBLEM ON THE CAR. THE CAR HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE WARRANTY LEFT. THE TOTAL ENGINE COST WILL BE AROUND $5,000. THE CONSUMER SAID THAT THE CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF HIS HOUSE BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE. THE DEALER HAS SEEN THE CAR, AND THEY DID DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, AND THEY FOUND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS GOING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FIXED. THE REFERENCE NUMBER TO THE COMPLAINT THAT CONSUMER FILED WITH CHRYSLER WAS #13947422. CHRYSLER WAS CONTACTED ON AUGUST 19, 2005.*AK
ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON PUBLIC HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP. VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING ENGINE BEARING FAILURE. WAS TOLD THAT AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT WAS RECOMMENDED. COST OF NEW ENGINE AT 6900.00 DOLLARS. *NM
SHORTLY AFTER MY 2001 DODGE INTREPID REACHED 70,000, I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT IT SEEMED TO BE BURNING OIL. I HAD NOT NOTICED ANY PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS JUST THE BEGINNING OF THE ENGINE FAILURE PROCESS THAT I WOULD EXPERIENCE. I HAVE CARED FOR THE CAR REGULARLY INCLUDING OIL CHANGES,…
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SHORTLY AFTER MY 2001 DODGE INTREPID REACHED 70,000, I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT IT SEEMED TO BE BURNING OIL. I HAD NOT NOTICED ANY PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS JUST THE BEGINNING OF THE ENGINE FAILURE PROCESS THAT I WOULD EXPERIENCE. I HAVE CARED FOR THE CAR REGULARLY INCLUDING OIL CHANGES, BUT ALSO FOUND THAT THIS WOULD HAVE MADE NO DIFFERENCE IN THE OUTCOME. AFTER HAVING THE OIL CHANGED ON 9/18/05, THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE EXTENSIVE ENGINE FAILURE NOISE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE JOHN ELWAY CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH DEALERSHIP IN GOLDEN, CO, AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BY CHRYSLER CORPORATION, BUT THAT I HAD NO RECOURSE IN HAVING THE FAILED ENGINE REPLACED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT I COULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY, BECAUSE CHRYSLER ADMITTED TO THE 2.7L V6 ENGINE IN THE INTREPID HAVING A SERIOUS LUBRICATION PROBLEM, BUT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST IN THE REPAID OF THE ENGINE IN ANY WAY. *NM
Official recalls
303V035000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
Feb 5, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
01V273000 · Structure:frame And Members
Aug 2, 2001
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
00V366000 · Child Seat
Nov 9, 2000
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE03010 · Throttle Control Failure
Opened Feb 27, 2003 · Closed Sep 2, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal; Vehicle Speed Control:cables; Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Vehicle Speed Control:cables
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Vehicle Speed Control
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.