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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
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111,142 miles · Dec 30, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

2001 DODGE INTREPID R/T 3.5L WITH 111,422 MILES. WHILE DRIVING ON THE TOLLWAY, THE HEATER BEGAN TO BLOW OUT COOL AIR. LATER THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION AND THE CAR JUST DIED. GOT THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHILE IN TRAFFIC. HAD TO BE TOWED. ENGINE IS LOCKED UP. NEW ENGINE ESTIMATE $5000-$7500. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR WARN…

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2001 DODGE INTREPID R/T 3.5L WITH 111,422 MILES. WHILE DRIVING ON THE TOLLWAY, THE HEATER BEGAN TO BLOW OUT COOL AIR. LATER THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION AND THE CAR JUST DIED. GOT THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHILE IN TRAFFIC. HAD TO BE TOWED. ENGINE IS LOCKED UP. NEW ENGINE ESTIMATE $5000-$7500. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR WARNINGS. PRIOR TO THIS EVENT WE HAD A NEW RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, ETC. PUT IN ALONG WITH FIXING OIL LEAKAGE PROBLEM. THAT WAS JULY 28, 2011 WITH 107,809 MILES ON IT. WE ALWAYS CHANGED OUR OIL REGULARLY AND TOOK CARE OF IT. WE BOUGHT THIS 2001 R/T INTREPID NEW. THE ONLY OTHER REAL PROBLEM WAS @ 106,939 MILES IT WOULDN'T GO BACK INTO DRIVE ONCE YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE SO WE PUT IN A USED CONTROL MODULE TO FIX THAT PROBLEM. I HAVE READ ABOUT A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE 2.7L ENGINE BUT CAN'T FIND MUCH INFORMATION ON THE 3.5 R/T MODEL. SO SCARY TO THINK HOW MANY 2001 INTREPIDS ARE JUST DYING ON THE ROAD WITH NO ADVANCE NOTICE. VERY DANGEROUS. I AM SO GLAD THAT MY SON WAS DRIVING IT AND KNEW WHAT TO DO INSTEAD OF MY NEWLY-LICENSED DAUGHTER. IT WAS HER CAR FOR ONLY 4 1/2 MONTHS. DODGE SHOULD BE ASHAMED. WE GOT MORE MILEAGE OUT OF A CHEVY CAVALIER. ARE THERE ANY CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS OUT THERE? *KB

NHTSA ODI #10441908

6,700 miles · Oct 29, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS TOLD MY MOTOR 2.7 WAS TOTALED BECAUSE OF SLUDGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433550

100,000 miles · Apr 30, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS ON MY WAY TO ALDI'S AND BEFORE I PULLED UP INTO THE PARKING LOT THE CAR SHUT OFF AND DID NOT START AGAIN FLUIDS WERE RUNNING FROM UNDERNEATH I HAD IT TOWED AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE WATER PUMP AND THE RESULT OF THAT MADE ANTI FREEZE MIX WITH THE OIL IN THE ENGINE AND I TOOK IT TO A SECOND MECHANIC AND THEY SAID PRETTY MU…

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I WAS ON MY WAY TO ALDI'S AND BEFORE I PULLED UP INTO THE PARKING LOT THE CAR SHUT OFF AND DID NOT START AGAIN FLUIDS WERE RUNNING FROM UNDERNEATH I HAD IT TOWED AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE WATER PUMP AND THE RESULT OF THAT MADE ANTI FREEZE MIX WITH THE OIL IN THE ENGINE AND I TOOK IT TO A SECOND MECHANIC AND THEY SAID PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING EXCEPT THEY ADDED THAT THEY DID A COMPRESSION TEST AND IT FAILED SO IT NEEDED TO BE REBUILT AT SOME POINT OF TIME . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10398345

120,000 miles · Oct 26, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingInjury

MY CAR HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE AND IT JUST SUDDENLY STARTED COUGHING AND CHOKING AND REVVING UP AND SLOWING DOWN - IT WAS COMPLETELY OUT-OF-CONTROL! I HAD TO PULL OVER ON A MAJOR FREEWAY (INTERSTATE 5 IN OREGON) AND WAITED ON THE SIDE FOR A TOW. WHEN I GOT IT HOME I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE IT A COUPLE OF BLOCKS TO GET THE ENGINE ANALYZ…

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MY CAR HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE AND IT JUST SUDDENLY STARTED COUGHING AND CHOKING AND REVVING UP AND SLOWING DOWN - IT WAS COMPLETELY OUT-OF-CONTROL! I HAD TO PULL OVER ON A MAJOR FREEWAY (INTERSTATE 5 IN OREGON) AND WAITED ON THE SIDE FOR A TOW. WHEN I GOT IT HOME I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE IT A COUPLE OF BLOCKS TO GET THE ENGINE ANALYZER ON IT, BUT IT SOUNDED HORRIBLE, THE VALVES WERE KNOCKING FIERCELY AND IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS OUT OF OIL, WHICH I CHECK FREQUENTLY. THE GUY THAT CHECKED IT REALLY DIDN'T HAVE MUCH OF AN ANSWER EXCEPT A RELAY SWITCH. WE REPLACED IT BUT TO NO AVAIL. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE WANTED ABOUT $4500 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE - WHERE THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS AND SOME SORT OF BOLT THAT THEY COULDN'T GET TO DOWN IN THE VALVE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE ANYTHING ON THIS CAR AND I AM AMAZED AND DISGUSTED THAT CHRYSLER WOULD PUT THIS KIND OF ENGINE OUT TO THE PUBLIC. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS NOW ABOUT THE 2.7 L ENGINE - WITH PEOPLE IN THE SAME PREDICAMENT. AND IT'S NOT JUST ONLINE - I HAVE A NEIGHBOR WITH ONE THAT HAS THE ALTERNATIVE ENGINE AND HE'S HEARD THE SAME THING. HIS CAR RUNS GREAT BECAUSE HE DOESN'T HAVE THE 2.7L....CHRYSLER SHOULD PICK UP THE PIECES FOR ALL THESE POOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE FAULTY CARS AND AT LEAST REPLACE THE VALUE OF THEIR CAR AS IT STANDS TODAY. PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362550

12,400 miles · Jun 18, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE INTREPID. 2.7L ENGINE. THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON AND NOW THE ENGINE IS TICKING. I WAS DRIVING AND THEN THE CAR JUST CUT OFF. THE OIL DIP STICK WAS AT THE RIGHT LEVEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336916

114,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE INTREPID. THE DRIVER STATED THAT SHE WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN WHEN THE VEHICLE MADE A CLICKING NOISE. THE DRIVER SHIFTED THE GEAR IN PARK, THEN DRIVE BUT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT RESTARTED SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. SMOKE WAS VISIBLE ON BOTH SI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE INTREPID. THE DRIVER STATED THAT SHE WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN WHEN THE VEHICLE MADE A CLICKING NOISE. THE DRIVER SHIFTED THE GEAR IN PARK, THEN DRIVE BUT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT RESTARTED SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. SMOKE WAS VISIBLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HOOD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

NHTSA ODI #10313808

79,000 miles · Jan 8, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY CAR STALLED OUT. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE DIAGNOSING MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS A FAILURE OF THE WATER PUMP WHICH ALLOWED ANTIFREEZE TO BECOME MIXED IN WITH THE MOTOR OIL WHICH CAUSED THIS TO DESTROY MY ENTIRE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10298737

91,000 miles · Jan 8, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS JUST DRIVING MY 2001 DODGE INTREPID TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY. NO INDICATION WHAT SO EVER OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. COLD AIR STARTED TO RUN THROUGH THE HEATER VENTS INSIDE THE CAR, THEN I HAD NO ACCELERATION. I LOOKED IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND SAW WHITE GRAYISH COMING OUT THE REAR AND FRONT OF CAR. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, BUT I…

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I WAS JUST DRIVING MY 2001 DODGE INTREPID TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY. NO INDICATION WHAT SO EVER OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. COLD AIR STARTED TO RUN THROUGH THE HEATER VENTS INSIDE THE CAR, THEN I HAD NO ACCELERATION. I LOOKED IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND SAW WHITE GRAYISH COMING OUT THE REAR AND FRONT OF CAR. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN AND FAILED A COMPRESSION TEST. I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE BEFORE AND ALWAYS CHANGED THE APPROPRIATE FLUIDS. I BOUGHT A USED CAR AND MY INTREPID IS STILL SITTING BROKEN IN MY DRIVEWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10298715

56,000 miles · Dec 9, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 DODGE INTREPID SE AND WITH NO WARNING THE HEAT WENT OUT AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE AND CUT OFF AND I HAD TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON A DARK ROAD AND WAIT TILL THE ENGINE COOLED DOWN. IT TOOK ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR STARTED AGAIN. I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR IN JULY AND IT DIED ON ME …

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 DODGE INTREPID SE AND WITH NO WARNING THE HEAT WENT OUT AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE AND CUT OFF AND I HAD TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON A DARK ROAD AND WAIT TILL THE ENGINE COOLED DOWN. IT TOOK ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR STARTED AGAIN. I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR IN JULY AND IT DIED ON ME IN NOVEMBER. THE ENGINE IS A 2.7 AND IS KNOWN FOR THESE ISSUES. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ANTIFREEZE IS MIXING WITH THE OIL,THE HEADGASKET IS GONE AND HE GIVES IT A MONTH BEFORE THE MOTOR GOES. I GOOGLED THE 2.7 AND READ SIMILAR STORIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295154

91,000 miles · Nov 16, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE SHUT DOWN.....THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED BY LOUD NOISE IN ENGINE.....GOT OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD....SHUT OFF AND "DIED" ON THE SPOT !! LUCKILY IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT WITH NO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD !! HAD THE CAR TOWED, LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC..WHO FOUND THE ENGINE COATED WITH OIL SLUDGE ON THE INSIDE. NEEDS A…

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ENGINE SHUT DOWN.....THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED BY LOUD NOISE IN ENGINE.....GOT OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD....SHUT OFF AND "DIED" ON THE SPOT !! LUCKILY IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT WITH NO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD !! HAD THE CAR TOWED, LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC..WHO FOUND THE ENGINE COATED WITH OIL SLUDGE ON THE INSIDE. NEEDS A NEW ENGINE . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292308

Official recalls

3

03V035000 · 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

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.