IllustrationTHERE IS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED. *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 reportsENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP. THE CAR IS A 2001 DODGE INTREPID WITH 48,000 MILES. IT WILL COST $8700 TO REPAIR. *NLM
ENGINE FAILURE. *NLM
THE ENGINE STALLED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB
CAR WOULD VIBRATE AND SPUTTER THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AT 50 MPH. FIRST TIME TO THE DEALERSHIP - THEY PUT DRY GAS IN THE TANK (DEC/2002) SECOND TIME TO THE DEALERSHIP - THEY PUT FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER IN THE TANK (JAN./2003) THIRD TIME TO THE DEALERSHIP - THEY REPLACED THE #4 FUEL INJECTOR (JAN. 2003) FOURTH …
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CAR WOULD VIBRATE AND SPUTTER THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AT 50 MPH. FIRST TIME TO THE DEALERSHIP - THEY PUT DRY GAS IN THE TANK (DEC/2002) SECOND TIME TO THE DEALERSHIP - THEY PUT FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER IN THE TANK (JAN./2003) THIRD TIME TO THE DEALERSHIP - THEY REPLACED THE #4 FUEL INJECTOR (JAN. 2003) FOURTH TIME TO THE DELAERSHIP - THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER MODULE (FEB./2003) FIFTH TIME TO THE DEALERSHIP - DID NOT FIX, CLEARED THE ERROR CODES.(FEB. 2003) DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THERE WOULD BE A RECAL NOTICE SENT SOMETIME IN MARCH/2003 SOMETHING ABOUT A CARBON BUILD UP IN THE CYLINDERS. THEY TOLD ME TO KEEP DRIVNG IT UNTIL THE RECALL NOTICE COMES OUT, BUT THE CAR STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. (ENGINE ONLY HAS 19,700 MILES ON IT, UNDER 18,500 WHEN IT FIRST WENT IN).*JB
2000 DODGE ENGINE FAILURE: AT 55,000 MILES MY 2000 DODGE INTREPID THREW A LOWER ROD AS I WAS EXITING THE EXPRESSWAY AFTER DRIVING APPROX 10-12 MILES. THE CAR IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND HAS AN OIL CHANGE EVEY 3,000 MILES. I HAD JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE APPROX 1,000 MILES BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. I CALLED DAIMERCHRYSLER AND ASKED THEM…
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2000 DODGE ENGINE FAILURE: AT 55,000 MILES MY 2000 DODGE INTREPID THREW A LOWER ROD AS I WAS EXITING THE EXPRESSWAY AFTER DRIVING APPROX 10-12 MILES. THE CAR IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND HAS AN OIL CHANGE EVEY 3,000 MILES. I HAD JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE APPROX 1,000 MILES BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. I CALLED DAIMERCHRYSLER AND ASKED THEM IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT THEY COULD ASSIST WITH ETC? THEY ASKED IF THE DEALER HAD TORN DOWN THE ENGINE. I TOLD THEM THAT I HAD A PRIVATE DIAGNOSIS AND THE DEALER HAD A TECH LISTEN TO IT AND SAID THEY WERE SURE A ROD HAD GONE BAD. THEY SAAD TO HAVE THE DEALER TEAR IT DOWN ... THEY THEN TRIED TO BLAME ME FOR NOT GETTING THE OIL CHANGED ON A REGULAR BASIS. I AGAIN TOLD THEM THAT IT HAD BEEN CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES AND THAT I OWN TWO OTHER CARS (95 SILLOUTTTE & 97 CUTLASS) THAT HAVE 130,000+ MILES ON THEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND PAID THEM 250.00 FOR A TEARDOWN. THE DEALER (GENESEE VALLEY DODGE IN FLINT, MI) CALLED ME AND TERRY SCHEFKE (SERVICE MANAGER) CALLED TO SAY THAT IT HAD INDEED THROWN A ROD AND THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW SHORT BLOCK AT A COST OF $4.250.00. I AGAIN CONTACTED DODGE BY PHONE AND EMAIL. THEY SAID THAT IT WAS MY PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (3/36). I ASKED THEM IF AN ENGINE FAILURE WAS NORMAL AT 55K? THE DEALER HAD HIS DISTRICT MANAGER LOOK AT THE CAR AND I WAS DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE OR COMPENSATION. I FEEL THAT THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS NOT AT ALL MY FAULT, I NEVER DID GET A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANY OTHER WARNING UNTI I EXITED THE EXPRESSWAY (I DO NOT SPEED AND HAVE NEVER HAD A SPEEDING TICKET IN 25 YEARS OF DRIVING) TO MAKE MATTER WORSE I HAVE TO HAVE THE DEALER REAPIR THE ENGINE BECAUSE MY LEASE IS UP OMN 3/3/03. I HAVE BEEN ONLINE RESEARCHING THE 2.7 DOHC ENGINE AND LOCATED YOU FROM WWW.INTREPIDCLAN-510.ORG. THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ABUNDACE OF SIMULAR COMPLTE ENGINE FAILURES ON VAROIUS WEB SITES. BASICALLY I AM LOOKING FOR ANYONE WHO COULD POSSIBLY HELP?
NO SUMMARY. DT
I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS AT HTTP://INTREPID.CLAN-510.ORG/CHRYSLERNEWS.HTM DT
WHILE DRIVING THERMOSTAT WOULD COME ON AUTOMATICALLY, WITHOUT SWITCHING IT ON MANUALLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
VEHICLE IS LEAKING COOLANT DUE TO A CRACKIN THE RADIATOR. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
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.