CarBrief

Owner complaints about the 2001 Dodge Intrepid center on the engine, which is named in 525 of the 656 complaints on file[1][2]. Three recalls are on file, and each one lists a remedy[3][4][5].

656owner complaints[2]
3recalls[6]
19–21MPG combined (EPA)[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 656 owner complaints on file for this model year[2]. Of those, 22 mention a crash, 22 a fire and 17 an injury[2]. No deaths are reported[2]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Engine[1] 525 78,000
Steering[8] 37 53,500
Power train[9] 32 75,151
Air bags[10] 20 85,500
Electrical system[11] 16 89,500
Brakes[12] 11 79,500
Equipment[13] 11 81,000
Visibility[14] 9 not listed

Engine. This group dwarfs the rest. 17 of its complaints mention a fire, 2 a crash and 3 an injury[1]. In a sample of engine complaint texts we read, owners describe the engine failing or needing replacement, often without warning. A few of them say a dealer or shop blamed oil sludge[1]. We cannot tell from the sample how common that cause is.

Power train. In a sample of power train complaints we read, owners describe transmission trouble such as failure, leaks and odd shifting. Others describe the gear selector moving out of Park or the car rolling after the lever was bumped[9]. 4 of these complaints mention a crash[9].

Air bags. There are fewer complaints here, but 11 of the 20 mention a crash and 7 an injury[10]. In a sample of air bag complaints we read, 10 of the 12 texts describe air bags that did not deploy in a collision, and 2 describe a warning light[10]. Because the sample is small, treat this as a pattern worth knowing about, not as a rate.

Steering. The median mileage at failure is the lowest of the groups with a listed figure[8]. In a sample of steering complaints we read, owners describe worn rack and pinion parts, looseness or stiffness in the wheel, and power steering pump or belt leaks and noise[8].

Other groups have 16 complaints or fewer each, so we do not call any of them a common problem[11][12][13][14].

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls for this model year, newest first. A recall can cover many models, and the facts here do not say whether a particular car has already been repaired. You can check a VIN with NHTSA.

Fuel economy

The EPA lists four ratings for this model year, all front-wheel drive on regular gas. We do not know which one matches a given car, so check the engine size first.

Engine and transmission City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[15] 17 / 25 / 20 $3,350
2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4)[7] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,200
3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4)[16] 17 / 25 / 19 $3,550
3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4)[17] 16 / 24 / 19 $3,550

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

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list this car as not rated[18]. That means there is no star score to compare. The recalls above and the air bag complaints are the safety information we have[10][3][4][5].

How 2001 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 recalls20002001: 656 complaints, 3 recalls65620012002: 329 complaints, 1 recalls20022003: 106 complaints, 0 recalls20032004: 129 complaints, 0 recalls2004
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Intrepid model year. The 2001 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19955893
19965052
19973442
19983773
19999974
20001,0657
20016563
20023291
20031060
20041290

NHTSA complaint and recall counts for the Intrepid by model year[6]:

Year Complaints Recalls
1995 589 3
1996 505 2
1997 344 2
1998 377 3
1999 997 4
2000 1,065 7
2001 656 3
2002 329 1
2003 106 0
2004 129 0

2001 has the third most complaints of the ten years, behind 2000 and 1999[6]. Its three recalls are fewer than 2000 (7) and 1999 (4)[6]. Later years have fewer complaints, but these counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show where reports landed, not how reliable each year was.

Should you buy a used 2001 Intrepid?

The record here is heavily weighted toward the engine. Engine complaints number 525, and some include fires and sudden failures[1]. Complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so they do not prove how likely a given car is to fail[2]. Three recalls are on file, and each lists a free or provided remedy, so it is worth checking that a car has had them done[3][4][5]. If you are considering one, ask for maintenance records and have the engine, transmission and steering inspected. The air bag complaints are also worth asking a mechanic about[10].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Dodge Intrepid?
The engine group is named in 525 of 656 NHTSA complaints[1][2]. Steering has 37 and power train 32[8][9]. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Does the 2001 Dodge Intrepid have any recalls?
NHTSA lists three: seat back recliner bolts (03V035), B-pillar head impact (01V273) and child seat tether instructions (00V366)[3][4][5].
How many miles per gallon does a 2001 Dodge Intrepid get?
The EPA lists 19 to 21 combined MPG depending on engine[15][7][16][17]. The 2.7L ratings are 20[15] and 21[7], the 3.2L is 19[16] and the 3.5L is 19[17].
Which Dodge Intrepid year has the fewest complaints?
Among the years in the NHTSA counts, 2003 has the fewest complaints, with 106 and no recalls[6]. 2001 has 656[6]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
What is the safety rating of the 2001 Dodge Intrepid?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list it as not rated[18].

Facts and sources

  1. 525 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 17 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. NHTSA has 656 owner complaints on file for the 2001 Dodge Intrepid (22 mention a crash, 22 a fire, 17 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 03V035, filed February 5, 2003: Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 01V273, filed August 2, 2001: Structure › Frame And Members. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 00V366, filed November 9, 2000: Child Seat. NHTSA recall database
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Intrepid model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for Intrepid, 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. 37 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 32 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,151). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 20 complaints name the air bags component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 16 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 11 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 11 complaints name the equipment component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 9 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for Intrepid, 2.7L 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
  16. EPA rating for Intrepid, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Intrepid, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. 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.