CarBrief

The 2000 Dodge Intrepid has 1,065 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1]. It also has 7 recalls[2], so check that the recall work was done.

1,065owner complaints[1]
7recalls[2]
19–21MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 1,065 owner complaints for this car[1]. Of those, 35 mention a crash, 22 a fire and 31 injuries, and no deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

The engine group has the most complaints by a wide margin[4][5].

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Engine[4] 785 77,000
Steering[5] 80 58,017
Power train[6] 41 56,008
Electrical system[7] 33 72,000
Seats[8] 33 96,694
Brakes[9] 31 40,600
Latches/locks/linkages[10] 28 65,000
Air bags[11] 25 84,000

Engine. The engine group includes 15 fires and 6 crashes[4]. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 8 describe the car stalling or cutting out while driving[4].

Power train. In a sample of 12 complaints, 7 describe transmission failure or a car that would not shift[6].

Steering. The steering group has 7 crashes among 80 complaints[5]. In a sample of 12 complaints, 5 name the rack and pinion[5].

Seats. In a sample of 12 complaints, 7 describe a seat back or recliner breaking or collapsing[8]. Some mention the seat recliner recall (03V035). A few say the dealer was unaware of it or would not do the repair. One describes a bolt breaking after the recall repair[8].

Air bags. Only 25 complaints, but 17 mention a crash and 14 an injury[11].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:

Each recall above has a remedy stated[12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. Some cover only certain cars, so confirm that this car is included.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine. All are automatic 4-speed, front-wheel drive, on regular fuel[3][19][20].

Engine City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
2.7L 6-cyl[3] 18 / 27 / 21 $3,200
3.2L 6-cyl[19] 17 / 25 / 20 $3,350
3.5L 6-cyl[20] 16 / 24 / 19 $3,550

The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new[3].

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists this car as not rated in its 5-Star Safety Ratings[21].

How 2000 compares with other years

1995: 589 complaints, 3 recalls19951996: 505 complaints, 2 recalls19961997: 344 complaints, 2 recalls19971998: 377 complaints, 3 recalls19981999: 997 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 1,065 complaints, 7 recalls1,06520002001: 656 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 329 complaints, 1 recalls20022003: 106 complaints, 0 recalls20032004: 129 complaints, 0 recalls2004
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Intrepid model year. The 2000 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19955893
19965052
19973442
19983773
19999974
20001,0657
20016563
20023291
20031060
20041290

Among the Intrepid model years from 1995 to 2004, 2000 has the highest counts on file: 1,065 complaints and 7 recalls[2]. The 1999 model is next on complaints with 997, and has 4 recalls[2]. The 2001 model has 656 complaints and 3 recalls[2]. The 2003 and 2004 models have 106 and 129 complaints and no recalls[2].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2000 Intrepid?

This model year has more complaints and recalls on file than any other Intrepid year[2]. Engine complaints dominate the list[4]. Before buying, ask for proof that the seat recliner recall was done[12] and have a mechanic check the engine and transmission. A complaint sample is small and unverified, so it shows what some owners describe, not how often problems happen. If you find a clean, documented car, EPA rates it at 19 to 21 combined MPG depending on engine[3][19][20].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Dodge Intrepid?
The engine group has 785 of the 1,065 complaints on file[1][4]. In a sample we read, owners describe stalling[4].
How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Intrepid have?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this model year[2]. They cover seats, seat belts, brakes, an air bag, child seat instructions and a B-pillar[12][13][14][15][16][17][18].
What is the gas mileage of a 2000 Dodge Intrepid?
EPA combined ratings are 21 MPG for the 2.7L, 20 for the 3.2L and 19 for the 3.5L[3][19][20].
Is 2000 a bad year for the Dodge Intrepid?
It has the highest complaint and recall counts of the Intrepid years from 1995 to 2004[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 1,065 owner complaints on file for the 2000 Dodge Intrepid (35 mention a crash, 22 a fire, 31 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Intrepid model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for Intrepid, 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. 785 complaints name the engine component group (6 crashes, 15 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 80 complaints name the steering component group (7 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,017). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 41 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,008). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 33 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 8 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 33 complaints name the seats component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 96,694). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 31 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,600). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 28 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 25 complaints name the air bags component group (17 crashes, 1 fires, 14 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 03V035, filed February 5, 2003: Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 01V273, filed August 2, 2001: Structure › Frame And Members. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 00V366, filed November 9, 2000: Child Seat. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 00V180, filed July 10, 2000: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 00V034, filed February 4, 2000: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 00V033, filed February 4, 2000: Seat Belts › Front › Retractor. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 99V343, filed December 2, 1999: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
  19. EPA rating for Intrepid, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Intrepid, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.