IllustrationWHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OVERHEATED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT ANTI FREEZE WAS IN THE OIL PAN, AND HEAD GASKET BECAME DEFECTIVE.*AK
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 reportsTHE VEHICLE OVERHEATED BECAUSE THE WATER PUMP FAIED. WHEN THE ENGINE OVERHEATED THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND THE BALANCING SHAFT BROKE WHICH DESTROYED THE ENGINE MOTOR. THE EXISTING MOTOR IS BEING REPLACED WITH A RE-DESIGN RE-BUILT ENGINE MOTOR. *JB
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED. CONSUMER HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND AFTER LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE TIMING BELT BROKE. SHE HAD IT REPAIRED, AND ONE MONTH LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THEN, SHE WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN…
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WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED. CONSUMER HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND AFTER LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE TIMING BELT BROKE. SHE HAD IT REPAIRED, AND ONE MONTH LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THEN, SHE WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE SIZE OIL SLUDGE BILLED UP IN THE ENGINE, AND CAUSED THE BELT TO POP DUE TO PRESSURE. CONSUMER STATED THAT A LAWYER TOLD HER THAT MOST PEOPLE THAT HAVE THESE TYPES OF VEHICLE USUALLY END UP LOSING IT BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STILL IN THE SHOP BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT AFFORD TO GET IT OUT. *AK
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE INTREPID. AT THE BEGINNING OF 2004 I WAS DRIVING WITH MY TODDLER AND MY CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WE WERE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER. I HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND MY ENGINE WAS FILLED WITH OIL SLUGE. WE ALWAYS CHANGED OUR OIL AT 3,00…
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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE INTREPID. AT THE BEGINNING OF 2004 I WAS DRIVING WITH MY TODDLER AND MY CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WE WERE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER. I HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND MY ENGINE WAS FILLED WITH OIL SLUGE. WE ALWAYS CHANGED OUR OIL AT 3,000 MILES BUT I NEVER THOUGHT TO SAVE THE RECIEPTS. WHEN I CONTACTED DODGE THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE MY WARRANTY WAS UP AND MY CAR HAD ALMOST 100,000 MILES. MY CAR WAS REPAIRED AND 2 MONTHS LATER MY CAR DIED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE GARAGE SAID THAT MY CAR WAS CONTINUING TO BE FULL OF OIL SLUDGE. I OWE 12,000 ON MY CAR AND THE GARAGE TOLD ME THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO DO THIS THE ENTIRE TIME I OWN MY CAR.
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTOR SENSOR AND THE VEHICLE STARTED. BUT, A LOT OF RATTLING WAS HEARD IN THE ENGINE. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT A ROD WAS DAMAGED IN THE VEHICLE. *AK BAD MOTOR PER CONSUMER. *SC *JB
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH CONSUMER PROCEEDED AROUND A CORNER AND THE ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING AND SHUT OFF. CONSUMER MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY SHUT BACK OFF.*AK
VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER BEING SERVICED. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT TIMING CHAIN WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK
WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER HEARD A HORRIBLE NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TIMING TENSION SPRING BROKE. AS RESULT, ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WERE IT WAS FOUND THAT A ROD HAD COME LOOSE. THE WARRANTY COMPANY IS IN LIQUIDATION AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURE STATED IT IS NOT THEIR RE…
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THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WERE IT WAS FOUND THAT A ROD HAD COME LOOSE. THE WARRANTY COMPANY IS IN LIQUIDATION AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURE STATED IT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. *NM
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE CONTAINED SLUDGE BUILD UP AFTER HAVING THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER CHANGED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE ENGINE FLUSHED TWO TIMES TO IMPROVE THE SLUDGE PROBLEM. AFTER THAT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE TI…
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WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE CONTAINED SLUDGE BUILD UP AFTER HAVING THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER CHANGED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE ENGINE FLUSHED TWO TIMES TO IMPROVE THE SLUDGE PROBLEM. AFTER THAT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BLOWN AND CAUSED ENGINE DAMAGE. THE TIMING CHAIN WAS CHANGED AT THE DEALER WHO CHANGED THE TIMING TENSIONER. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS CASES OF THIS PROBLEM IN CHRYSLER VEHICLES. (THE TUBE THAT BRINGS THE OIL UP INTO THE ENGINE CLOGS UP, RESULTING IN AN UNDER-OILED ENGINE, SHOWING THE FAULT BEING THE OWNERS) THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT CHRYSLER COVER THE COST OF THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. ALSO, THE BRAKES PULSATED AND THE TRUNK LOCK WAS BROKEN. *SC *JB
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.