NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 656 owner complaints for the 2001 Dodge Intrepid. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (520) and steering (37). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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…”
“WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT, THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL FUNCTION AND POWER. WHEN THIS OCCURS I HAVE NO POWER STEERING, LIGHTS, BRAKES, NOTHING. IT FLICKERS ON AND OFF LIKE THAT MULTIPLE TIMES. IT TOOK ME 1 1/2 HOURS TO DRIVE HOME, WHICH SHOULD HAVE TAKEN ONLY HALF HOUR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I CAN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE NOW IN FEAR THAT I WILL BE IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH DODGE VEHICLES. I CAN'T DRIVE MY VAN IN FEAR IT WILL END UP KILLING MYSELF, MY FAMILY, OR SOME INNOCENT PERSON ON THE ROADWAY. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. A RECALL IS NEEDED TO FIND THIS ONGOING ISSUE. THERE ISN'T A SPECIFIC DATE BUT A CONSTANT ISSUE.”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER INTREPID. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY OF 2008. THREE DAYS LATER, THE SHIFTER CABLE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPONENT. IN APPROXIMATELY APRIL OF 2008, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND WAS ALSO COVERED BY THE DEALER. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL BACK UP PROPERLY. A MONTH AGO, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER SYSTEM HAD COMPLETELY FAILED. THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONNECTOR ROD IN THE ENGINE SNAPPED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 07/01/09 *BF THE PCM WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 07/02/09.*JB”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intrepid Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Intrepid Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Intrepid Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Intrepid Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 656 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (520), steering (37), power train (32). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2001 Dodge Intrepid at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).