Is the 2001 Dodge Intrepid a bad year?
655 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 515, 6× a quiet Intrepid year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2001 Dodge Intrepid were filed between 62k and 94k miles. You're at 78,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2001 Intrepid owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 78,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 500 (76%) | 62k–92k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Steering | 37 (6%) | 45k–81k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 32 (5%) | 57k–91k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 20 (3%) | 74k–140k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 16 (2%) | 63k–135k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine and cooling | 16 (2%) | 64k–100k miles · around this mileage | Water pump replacement $400–$1,106 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Equipment | 14 (2%) | 70k–88k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 12 (2%) | 56k–102k miles · around this mileage | Exhaust leak repair $200–$1,500 · Catalytic converter replacement $500–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 11 (2%) | 22k–80k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Seats | 8 (1%) | 84k–107k miles · ahead | — |
| Exterior lighting | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 8 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 7 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 78,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 655 complaints: 22 mention a crash · 22 mention a fire · 15 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in May 2023.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
While driving at approximately 65 MPH the motor ceased to function. It began by making a noise. Then the vehicle lost power.
Purchased the car in november of 2002. Had the oil changed at time of purchase. Took for another oil change in april and the mechanic told me there was sludge in the engine and that I needed to have the engine flushed.
I own a 2001 Dodge Intrepid, and used it for my commute. I was driving 35 MPH and began to hear a loud knocking sound and believe it to be related to the oil sludge problem in chrysler's 2.7 engines.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 78,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2001 Dodge Intrepid: 5
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. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
On certain passenger vehicles, seat back recliner bolt breakage can occur resulting in the seat back reclining unexpectedly. 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.
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." In the event of a crash, there is a potential for injury if the occupant's head were to contact the b-pillar.
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." In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 9
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2001 Dodge Intrepid. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Service Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Throttle control failure
Neighbouring years
2000 Intrepid: 1,065 complaints, consider selling · 2002 Intrepid: 329 complaints, consider selling.
Every Dodge Intrepid year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · All Intrepid years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2001 Dodge Intrepid a bad year?
655 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 515, 6× a quiet Intrepid year. At 78,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2001 Dodge Intrepid were filed between 62k and 94k miles. You're at 78,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Dodge Intrepid?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (500), steering (37), transmission and drivetrain (32), air bags (20), electrical system (16). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 62k–94k miles.
How many recalls does the 2001 Dodge Intrepid have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E025000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E012000), Seats (NHTSA 03V-035), Body structure (NHTSA 01V-273) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.