IllustrationCONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. CONSUMER MADE IT HOME, CHECKED THE OIL, AND FOUND IT WAS ALMOST EMPTY. WHAT WAS LEFT HAD A SLUDGE BUILD UP. CONSUMER SEARCHED THE INTERNET TO FIND THE SLUDGE BUILD UP COMPLAINTS.*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
What owners actually said
656 reportsWHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MARCH 2002. RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING I BEGIN HAVING OIL AND SLUDGE PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. NOW I NOTICED A KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS I NEED A WHOLE NEW ENGINE.*AK
OIL LIGHT CAME ON FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS THEN THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND SEIZED UP.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PISTONS.*AK
DRIVING 55 ON HIGHWAY ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND QUIT TIMING CHAIN BLEW UP ENGINE. MY MECHANIC SAID IT LOOKED LIKE A STICK OF DYNAMITE WAS PUT IN MY ENGINE. REPORTED IT TO CHRYSLER AND THEY SAID BRING THE SUIT ON IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT. SLUDGE IS FROM POOR CARE. *JB
THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND UNEXPECTEDLY THE ENGINE CUT OFF AND FAILED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED BY CONSUMER. *NM
TODAY THE ENGINE FAILED ON MY 2001 DODGE INTREPID THIS IS THE 2.7 LITER ENGINE THAT I HAVE NOW DISCOVERED HAS SO MANY ISSUES LODGED AGAINST IT. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO A SHOP YET FOR ESTIMATE/REPAIRS. *NM
WE BOUGHT A 2001 DODGE INTREPID IN MARCH 2002. WE ALSO PURCHASED THE 5YR/100,000MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY. ABOUT 5 WEEKS AGO, I WAS HEADING DOWN THE ROAD FOR WORK AND MY CAR JUST CONKED OUT. HAD IT TOWED AND LATER FOUND OUT IT WAS THE ENGINE. WE NOTIFIED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND THEY HAD IT TOWED TO MARTIN DEALERSHIP IN TURNERSVILL…
Read full complaint
WE BOUGHT A 2001 DODGE INTREPID IN MARCH 2002. WE ALSO PURCHASED THE 5YR/100,000MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY. ABOUT 5 WEEKS AGO, I WAS HEADING DOWN THE ROAD FOR WORK AND MY CAR JUST CONKED OUT. HAD IT TOWED AND LATER FOUND OUT IT WAS THE ENGINE. WE NOTIFIED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND THEY HAD IT TOWED TO MARTIN DEALERSHIP IN TURNERSVILLE NJ. THE ADJUSTER CAME AND FOUND SMALL AMOUNTS OF SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND ASKED FOR RECEIPTS FOR OIL CHANGES AND WE GAVE THEM ALL WE HAD. WE TOOK GOOD CARE WITH OIL CHANGES ALMOST EVERY OTHER MONTH. THE MECHANIC THEN CALLS BACK AND SAID WE WERE DENIED AND THE COST WILL BE AROUND 6,500.00. THE ADJUSTER ALSO SAID THAT NOBODY DOES OIL CHANGES ON SUNDAYS,(ONE OR TWO OF THE RECEIPTS HAD SUNDAY DATES, AND WE DID HAVE THE OIL CHANGED ON A FEW SUNDAYS).THE MECHANIC SAID THE 2.7 INTREPID HAS A LONG HISTORY OF SLUDGE PROBLEMS EVEN IF YOU CHANGE THE OIL OFTEN. WHY DON'T THEY TAKE THIS IN CONSIDERATION INSTEAD OF MAKING UP OTHER REASONS FOR NOT PAYING? *NM
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *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.