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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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Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2024
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ODI #11585756

104,000 miles · Jan 31, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THE CAR LOST POWER AND ACCELERATION SEVERAL TIMES AND FINALLY MADE A LOUD CLANKING BANGING SOUND. IT STALLED AND COMPLETELY STOPPED ABOUT A MINUTE AFTER THE SOUNDS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC'S SHOP AND HE SAID THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED DUE TO OIL SLUDGE BUILD-UP AND THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REP…

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WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THE CAR LOST POWER AND ACCELERATION SEVERAL TIMES AND FINALLY MADE A LOUD CLANKING BANGING SOUND. IT STALLED AND COMPLETELY STOPPED ABOUT A MINUTE AFTER THE SOUNDS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC'S SHOP AND HE SAID THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED DUE TO OIL SLUDGE BUILD-UP AND THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO STATED THAT THIS WAS A FAMILIAR OCCURRENCE WITH THIS SPECIFIC ENGINE, THE 2.7L V6. DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THEIR PRODUCT AND WILL DO ANYTHING THEY CAN TO AVOID TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10445980

136,000 miles · May 5, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

HAVE A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. HUSBAND DRIVING CAR HOME AND NO LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR MADE LOUD BANGING TYPE NOISES AND HE PULLED OVER. HAD CAR LOOKED AT - ENGINE FAILURE. THIS COULD'VE LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT FIRST STARTED BANGING SO LOUDLY AND WE ALSO HAD A COOLANT PROBLEM THAT SUDDENLY THE HOSES POPPED AND ANTI FREEZE WAS L…

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HAVE A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. HUSBAND DRIVING CAR HOME AND NO LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR MADE LOUD BANGING TYPE NOISES AND HE PULLED OVER. HAD CAR LOOKED AT - ENGINE FAILURE. THIS COULD'VE LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT FIRST STARTED BANGING SO LOUDLY AND WE ALSO HAD A COOLANT PROBLEM THAT SUDDENLY THE HOSES POPPED AND ANTI FREEZE WAS LOST EVERYWHERE - IT SPEWED AGAINST THE HOOD AND WE PAID 600 FOR THAT , AND WAITING TO HEAR COST OF ENGINE NOW - MAD THAT CHRYSLER WON'T STICK BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES! - WILL PROBABLY COST OVER 2,000 TO FIX MY CAR AND IS CAUSING ISSUES WITH MY JOB /TRANSPORTATION! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399266

91,000 miles · May 10, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE ROADWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE INDE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE ROADWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE MAIN BEARINGS FAILED AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10329679

67,000 miles · May 3, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE MOUNT FOR MY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER IN MY 2003 DODGE INTREPID BROKE AND ALLOWED THE TENSIONER TO GIVE SLACK, THE TIMING CHAIN AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT RIGHT PISTON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328485

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF PERIODICALLY BEFORE RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE IN SEPT OF 2009. RECALL STATES 'THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ON YOUR VEHICLE MA BECOME DAMAGED FROM CONTINUED OPERATION IN "LIMP-IN" MODE FOLLOWING A CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAULT.' NOTHING WAS DONE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE ' THE REPAIRS …

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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF PERIODICALLY BEFORE RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE IN SEPT OF 2009. RECALL STATES 'THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ON YOUR VEHICLE MA BECOME DAMAGED FROM CONTINUED OPERATION IN "LIMP-IN" MODE FOLLOWING A CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAULT.' NOTHING WAS DONE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE ' THE REPAIRS CAUSE MORE DAMAGE' ACCORDING TO A CHRYSLER REP. THE REP ALSO SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO FOR ME AND THEY WILL SEND ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL. THE LICENSE PLATES ON THE VEHICLE HAVE EXPIRED. BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, I AM NOT ABLE TO REGISTER THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308841

110,794 miles · Jan 8, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 65 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD SOUND UNDER THE HOOD AND SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 110,794.

NHTSA ODI #10298782

88,000 miles · Oct 5, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND THEN SMOKE ENGULFED THE ENGINE. HE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES USING THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY, AND A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE ENGINE MISFIRED. HOWEVER THE HEAD GASKETS WERE NOT REPL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND THEN SMOKE ENGULFED THE ENGINE. HE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES USING THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY, AND A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE ENGINE MISFIRED. HOWEVER THE HEAD GASKETS WERE NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10286377

91,008 miles · Sep 29, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID WITH A 3.5 LITER V6 ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MISFIRED; HOWEVER, PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE CAM-SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE, AND THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID WITH A 3.5 LITER V6 ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MISFIRED; HOWEVER, PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE CAM-SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE, AND THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN EXPENSE OF $7100.00 . NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,008 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10285681

81,000 miles · Aug 6, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY CAR OVERHEATED ON THE EXPRESSWAY TRAVELING 60 MPH AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE NOT BEEN KILLED.I HAVE REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, AND WATER PUMP. MY CAR STALLS/HESITATES EVERY TIME I STOP AT A LIGHT. MY MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME THE CADILLAC CONVERTER IS SHOT, I NEED A NEW TIMING BELT AND MY EN…

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MY CAR OVERHEATED ON THE EXPRESSWAY TRAVELING 60 MPH AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE NOT BEEN KILLED.I HAVE REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, AND WATER PUMP. MY CAR STALLS/HESITATES EVERY TIME I STOP AT A LIGHT. MY MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME THE CADILLAC CONVERTER IS SHOT, I NEED A NEW TIMING BELT AND MY ENGINE IS FULL OF SLUDGE. THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO, RECHARGING THE SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279613

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.