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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

11 reports
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62,000 miles · Aug 8, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. HE APPLIED THE BRAKES APPROXIMATELY TEN SECONDS BEFORE THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY STOPPED. THE LOCAL DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE BOOST PUMP FAILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. HE APPLIED THE BRAKES APPROXIMATELY TEN SECONDS BEFORE THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY STOPPED. THE LOCAL DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE BOOST PUMP FAILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #10198824

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train

I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED, WITH 24,000 MILES ON IT, 18 MONTHS AGO. 6 TIMES TO SHOP: 1) ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, HAD TO HAVE TIE ROD REPLACED 2) BRAKES NEEDED AFTER APPROX 14 MONTHS FROM PURCHASE 3) ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 14 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE 4) WATER PUMP HOUSING CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, AT MY EXPENSE, AF…

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I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED, WITH 24,000 MILES ON IT, 18 MONTHS AGO. 6 TIMES TO SHOP: 1) ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, HAD TO HAVE TIE ROD REPLACED 2) BRAKES NEEDED AFTER APPROX 14 MONTHS FROM PURCHASE 3) ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 14 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE 4) WATER PUMP HOUSING CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, AT MY EXPENSE, AFTER DEALERSHIP CRIMPED WATER PUMP HOUSING WHEN PUTTING IN REPLACEMENT POWER TRAIN 5) SWAY BAR BUSHINGS NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 16 MONTHS 6) WAS JUST DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND 4 MILES FROM HOME ENGINE BEGAN MAKING WEIRD NOISES AND BY THE TIME I GOT HOME WAS MAKING VERY LOUD ENGINE NOISES, SOUNDS LIKE TRANSMISSION? DIDN'T WANT TO ACCELERATE. TURNED CAR OFF WHEN I GOT HOME AND DIDN'T WANT TO START AN HOUR LATER, JUST CRANKED AND CRANKED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A LEMON, BUT SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED, DON'T THINK I'M COVERED UNDER LEMON LAW. WILL ATTEMPT TO FORCE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE CAR WITH A DIFFERENT MODEL TOMORROW. OH, AND ALSO THE INNER DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE DOESN'T OPEN THE CAR DOOR. IT BROKE ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, AND I HAVEN'T FIXED IT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO CHARGE $50 FOR THE PART AND WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH FOR THE LABOR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10143984

34,960 miles · Nov 9, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER HAS HAD 2 REPLACEMENT BRAKES AND 4 NEW RADIOS ON 2003 DODGE INTREPID AFTER BEING TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH EITHER. *TS THE WINDSHIELD AND BOTH SIDE MIRRORS WERE PITTED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE SECOND TIME THE CHECK…

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CONSUMER HAS HAD 2 REPLACEMENT BRAKES AND 4 NEW RADIOS ON 2003 DODGE INTREPID AFTER BEING TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH EITHER. *TS THE WINDSHIELD AND BOTH SIDE MIRRORS WERE PITTED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE SECOND TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THEY REPLACED THE MAF SENSOR. THE SERPENTINE BELT CRACKED. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED FROM COOLER HOSES. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS WERE MACHINED. THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT THE DEALER REIMBURSE HIS SOME OF HIS MONEY AND RETURN HIS TRADE-IN VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10143217

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashFireInjury

THIS INTREPID WAS PURCHASED TO USE AS A PATROL UNIT. WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE BRAKES FAILED ON ABOUT DECEMBER 22, 2004 JUST 3 WEEKS AFTER IT WAS WORKED ON BY A DODGE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT, SERIOUSLY INJURING A DEPUTY AND AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER. THE D…

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THIS INTREPID WAS PURCHASED TO USE AS A PATROL UNIT. WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE BRAKES FAILED ON ABOUT DECEMBER 22, 2004 JUST 3 WEEKS AFTER IT WAS WORKED ON BY A DODGE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT, SERIOUSLY INJURING A DEPUTY AND AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER. THE DEPUTY HAS SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DODGE INTREPID BRAKES (ESPECIALLY FROM OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES). WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL OR THIS EVEN BEEN LOOKED INTO?*AK

NHTSA ODI #10110659

66,000 miles · Sep 22, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire

WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS BRAKES WEREN'T FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY, AND WERE HARD TO DEPRESS. A FEW MINUTES AFTER PARKING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE IT BURST INTO FLAMES. CONSUMER NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS RELATED TO BRAKES AND BRAKE LINE FIRES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10094056

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE WORN OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. *JB THE …

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THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE WORN OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. *JB THE CONSUMER FOUND THE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR RUSTED AND PITTED. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 10K MILES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10083503

13,565 miles · Aug 9, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DEALER REPLACED AT 13,565 MILES THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS. AT 39,092 MILES, ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AND REPLACED THE PADS. AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE AT 51,000 MILES DEALERSHIP RESURFACED THE ROTORS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10087410

30,000 miles · Aug 3, 2004
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

I PURCHASED MY 2003 INTREPID IN DECEMBER 2003 WITH 20,000 MILES.IN THE SPRING OF 2004 I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS AND DISCS IT IS NOW AUGUST 2004 AND THE SAME PROBLEM IS OCCURRING STARTING WITH SQUEAKING AND PULSATION FOLLOWED BY GRINDING. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT AND I AM ONCE AGAIN REPLACING ROTORS AND DISC…

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I PURCHASED MY 2003 INTREPID IN DECEMBER 2003 WITH 20,000 MILES.IN THE SPRING OF 2004 I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS AND DISCS IT IS NOW AUGUST 2004 AND THE SAME PROBLEM IS OCCURRING STARTING WITH SQUEAKING AND PULSATION FOLLOWED BY GRINDING. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT AND I AM ONCE AGAIN REPLACING ROTORS AND DISCS. I DO NOT HAVE THE 1ST PAIR OF ROTORS AND DISCS THAT WERE REPLACED HOWEVER I WILL KEEP THIS SET. ANOTHER PROBLEM I HAVE STARTED NOTICING IS WHEN SHIFTING THE CAR INTO DRIVE IT OCCASSIONALLY DOES NOT RESPOND AND I HAVE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE DRIVE WILL ENGAGE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10086121

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2003 INTREPID MAKES A THUMPING NOISE WHEN BRAKES GET HOT. *TS WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE THUMPING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONSUMER STATED IT SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CALIPER. *JB THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10159433

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire

2003 DODGE INTREPIDS' BRAKES CAUGHT FIRE DURING HARD BRAKING MANEUVERS. THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT PUT FOUR INTREPIDS THROUGH THE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT'S STANDARD DRIVING COURSE WHICH INCLUDED MANY STOPS AND TURNS REQUIRING REPEATED BRAKING. TWO CARS WERE TESTED ON MARCH 11, 2003. THE TEST WAS REPEATED WITH TWO DIFFERE…

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2003 DODGE INTREPIDS' BRAKES CAUGHT FIRE DURING HARD BRAKING MANEUVERS. THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT PUT FOUR INTREPIDS THROUGH THE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT'S STANDARD DRIVING COURSE WHICH INCLUDED MANY STOPS AND TURNS REQUIRING REPEATED BRAKING. TWO CARS WERE TESTED ON MARCH 11, 2003. THE TEST WAS REPEATED WITH TWO DIFFERENT INTREPIDS ON APRIL 3, 2003. THE FRONT BRAKES ON ALL FOUR CARS CAUGHT ON FIRE. AT LEAST ONE VEHICLE WAS FOUND TO HAVE NO BRAKES AFTER COMPLETING THE COURSE. IN ADDITION, ON APRIL 11, 2003, THE FRONT BRAKES ON AN INTREPID BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN IN NORMAL AFTERNOON TRAFFIC BY AN EMPLOYEE OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT WORKING FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT. NONE OF THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED IN ANY FATALITIES, PERSONAL INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE BEYOND THE DAMAGE TO THE CARS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10020283

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.