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2003 Dodge Intrepid

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Dodge Intrepid do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 377.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

79 reports with mileage · 27 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 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports10 fire reports4 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

61 reports
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140,000 miles · Jul 7, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY, BUT THE BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE AND THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON FURTHER INVES…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY, BUT THE BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE AND THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, HE DISCOVERED A SMALL FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED AND BLEW OUT THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10275979

60,000 miles · May 15, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD STRANGE NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC, BUT IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD STRANGE NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC, BUT IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT CHRYSLER DEALERS, BUT THEY STATED THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10268854

80,000 miles · Apr 16, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. WHEN THE CONTACT ARRIVED AT HIS PLACE OF WORK, HE NOTICED A BALL OF FLAME COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SENT OUT AN INVESTIGATOR, WHO CONCLUDED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. WHEN THE CONTACT ARRIVED AT HIS PLACE OF WORK, HE NOTICED A BALL OF FLAME COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SENT OUT AN INVESTIGATOR, WHO CONCLUDED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY GAS LINE BECAUSE THE WIRES WERE NOT DAMAGED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10265602

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH---BRAKES---SCREECHING SOUND WHEN BRAKING AND GRABBING/THUMPING SOUND ,A/C & VENT MUSTY ODOR, SQUEAKING SOUND FROM REAR STRUTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10261303

87,000 miles · Jan 21, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE 2003 DODGE INTREPID 2.7L ENGINE HAS A "DESIGN FLAW" THAT CAUSES EXCESSIVE OIL SLUDGE AND ENGINES TO SEIZE UP WITH NO WARNING. THIS PUTS THE DRIVER AND ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD AT RISK OF COLLISION. MY CAR HAS 85,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NEVER MISSED SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE IT SHOULD NOT NEED A NEW ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255922

65,000 miles · Dec 8, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

2003 DODGE INTREPID WITH 2.7 L ENGINE- EXPERIENCE SUDDEN AND CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VERY DANGEROUS THAT THESE ENGINES EXPERIENCE THIS TYPE OF SUDDEN LOSS, AND IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. PUBLIC WEB SITES STATE THIS ENGINE IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM FOR DODGE. HERE'S THE REAL KICKER- I CALLED D…

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2003 DODGE INTREPID WITH 2.7 L ENGINE- EXPERIENCE SUDDEN AND CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VERY DANGEROUS THAT THESE ENGINES EXPERIENCE THIS TYPE OF SUDDEN LOSS, AND IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. PUBLIC WEB SITES STATE THIS ENGINE IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM FOR DODGE. HERE'S THE REAL KICKER- I CALLED DODGE AND THE ZONE OFFICE SAID THEY WOULD DO A 50-50 SPLIT ON THE BILL. $8000.00 SPLIT IN HALF WOULD STILL BE $4000 TO FIX A CAR ONLY WORTH $6000 IN RESALE VALUE. A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR QUOTED ME $3900 FOR THE SAME REPAIR. SO DODGE UPS THE COST TO REPAIR, THEN DISCOUNTS IT BY HALF, AND IT'S STILL THE SAME COST TO REPAIR IT ELSEWHERE. SOUNDS LIKE A REAL RACKET TO ME. AND HERE'S ANOTHER STICKY POINT- I WASN'T SURE OF THE MILEAGE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS AT THE SHOP, SO I GUESSED 65000 MILES. THE GUY AT DODGE WAS ALL SET TO CALL THE DEALER AND MAKE THEM FIX IT FOR NO CHARGE, BUT WHEN HE CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THE MILEAGE WAS 7000 MILES MORE, OR 72000, IT WAS NOW "PAST WARRANTY" AND THEY COULD ONLY DO THE 50-50 SPLIT. SO HOW DOES 7000 MILES MAKE THE DIFFERENCE? THE WARRANTY WAS 6 YEARS, 60,000 MILES, IT WAS ALREADY PAST THE 60,000 LIMIT WHEN I CALLED DODGE THE FIRST TIME, NOW THAT IT'S ONLY 7,000 MILES MORE THEY CHANGED THEIR MIND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251060

72,000 miles · Dec 8, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ABUNDANT AMOUNT OF OIL. HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ABUNDANT AMOUNT OF OIL. HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD INTERNAL DAMAGE, WHICH WOULD COST $8,000 TO REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000. UPDATED 01/07/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/08/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10251053

130,080 miles · Aug 23, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I NEVER HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM, EXCEPT CLOUDY SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE AND AN OIL. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON IT BEGAN TO OVER HEAT AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE. I HAD IT TOWED TO LANDMARK DODGE, THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN (UPON MY ARRIVAL, I EXPLAINED THE MECHANIC, WHAT HAPPENED TO…

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I NEVER HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM, EXCEPT CLOUDY SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE AND AN OIL. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON IT BEGAN TO OVER HEAT AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE. I HAD IT TOWED TO LANDMARK DODGE, THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN (UPON MY ARRIVAL, I EXPLAINED THE MECHANIC, WHAT HAPPENED TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED, HE IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN AND I NEEDED AND ENGINE, WITHOUT DOING A DIAGNOSTIC. I ASKED THE MECHANIC TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC TO BE EXACT AND NOT GUESS WHAT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE. THEY RESPONDED BY HAVING A SALES REP CALL TO TRY AND SALE ME A VEHICLE). I WANTED A SECOND OPINION, THEREFORE, I HAD IT TOWED TO STEVE RAYMAN DODGE THAT'S WHEN THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED I NEEDED AN ENGINE FOR SURE AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE MECHANIC SAID IT LOST OIL PRESSURE, AND HAD SLUDGE BUILD UP. AT FIRST, THE MECHANIC SAID HE COULD REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS FOR $3000.00 BUT HE COULD NOT GUARANTEE THE MOTOR WOULD LAST. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THAT'S WHEN THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE SLUDGE BUILD-UP, NO OIL PRESSURE AND I NEEDED AN ENGINE. THE MECHANIC AT LANDMARK RECOGNIZED THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM WITHOUT A DIAGNOSTIC AND TRIED KEEP MY CAR FOR NON PAYMENT OF SERVICE THAT WAS NEVER PERFORMED. IS THIS COMMON FOR DODGE/CHRYSLER VEHICLES? AS A CONSUMER, I HAVE THE RIGHT TO INVESTIGATE, PROTECT AND PURSUE LEGAL ACTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239489

84,173 miles · Aug 12, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE EN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,173 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW THE ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO LACK OF OIL TO THE UPPER PART OF THE ENGINE. UPDATED 09/10/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10237837

43,500 miles · Jul 30, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE LIGHT W/DIAGNOSTIC CODES SHOWING O2 SENSOR BANK ONE AND BANK TWO FAILURES. ALL SENSORS PROFESSIONALLY REPLACED. CODES SHOWING SPEED CONTROL KICKING IN ALTHOUGH ENGINE AT IDLE. ENGINE DIES AT ACCELERATION EVEN ON EXPRESSWAY. VEHICLE SERVICED PROFESSIONALLY AS MANUF. DIRECTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236448

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

1

PE03010 · 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.