Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 1,094 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Dodge Intrepid, and it carries 9 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 737 | 67% |
| Steering | 62 | 6% |
| Seats | 31 | 3% |
| Power train | 22 | 2% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 21 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 18 | 2% |
| Air bags | 17 | 2% |
| Visibility | 14 | 1% |
| Suspension | 13 | 1% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE INTREPID. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, A FUEL ODOR WAS DETECTED. THE CONTACT LIFTED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE ODOR AS WELL AS FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO W
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
I OWN AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES MORE THAN ONCE AND CANNOT FIGURE OUT HOW DODGE IS GETTING AWAY WITH NOT RECALLING THESE VEHICLES FOR A FUEL LEAK ON THE PRESSURE LINE AT THE BACK O
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
CAR WON'T GO INTO PARK. HAS TO BE STARTED IN NEUTRAL. CAR HAS TENDENCY TO ROLL. WHEEL(S) HAS TO BE BLOCKED. STATIONARY.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
AS I SAT IN MY CAR TO DRIVE, THE DRIVER'S SEAT LEANED BACK UNEXPECTEDLY. IT CAN NOT BE RAISED. I HAVE A BUCKET AND BOX BEHIND THE SEAT TO HOLD IT IN PLACE, BUT IT IS STILL NOT IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THIS IS A SAFETY
NHTSA complaint: Seats
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL AND SEVERELY DAMAGED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE FRON
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
CAR WAS T-BONED ON DRIVER SIDE, THEN PROPELLED INTO A TREE AND SIDESWIPED A PARKED CAR. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HOOD WAS SLIGHTLY BUCKLED, DRIVER SIDE WAS DAMAGED FROM FRONT TO BEHIND REAR DOOR. PASSENGER SIDE WAS DAMAGE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I HAVE A 2000 DODGE INTREPID BOUGHT ALMOST A YEAR AGO.HAD A SHORT IN THE IGNITION HAD TO WIGGLE KEY TO GET SOMETHINGS TO KICK ON.THEN A MTH AGO.I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT STARTED TO TAKE OFF IT VIBRATED REALLY BAD AND NOW IT'
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE CAR WAS DRIVEN INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. HE GOT OF THE CAR AND OPENED THE GATE. AT THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF PARK AND BEGAN ROLLING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. IT HIT THE CURB, THEN A SMALL TREE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2000 Dodge Intrepid. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE TURNING LOOP (ATL) TOP MOUNTING BOLT WAS INADEQUATELY MANUFACTURED.
Risk: THE AFFECTED MOUNTING BOLTS MAY NOT WITHSTAND SUFFICIENT FORCE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY IN CERTAIN IMPACT SITUATIONS, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A BELTED OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHOULDER BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTER MOUNTING BOLTS.
| Reliability raw | 54 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 65 | good |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 51 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,094 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 737 of them (67%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 54/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 65/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 60/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.