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 656 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Dodge Intrepid, and it carries 5 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 | 490 | 75% |
| Steering | 29 | 4% |
| Air bags | 15 | 2% |
| Power train | 15 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 12 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 1% |
| Seats | 6 | 1% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 1% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 1% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact's father owned a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V035000 (Seats) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list as the
NHTSA complaint: Seats
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL AS THE HORN FAILED WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 M
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 T
NHTSA complaint: Steering
STRONG GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR AND THROUGH THE AIR VENTS WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING. NO VISIBLE LEAKS UNDER CAR.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON, VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS TOWED TO GARAGE. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS TIMING CHAIN SENSOR WEAR, DUE TO STRETCHED TIMING CHAIN RELATED TO WELL DOCUMENTED OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM IN 2.7L V6 ENGI
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PLACING A CHILD IN THE REAR CHILD SEAT, THE SEAT BELT FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE INSPECTED BEFORE THEY WOULD DECID
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TAKATA RECALL, THE CAR HAD A SAFETY BULLETIN FOR THE AIR BAG SWITCH. THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED A FAULTY AIRBAG SWITCH. THEY SAID THE PART WOULD BE ORDERED, NO ONE GOT TO ME. THE AIRBAG IS PARTIALLY INFLATED.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
PURCHASED 2001 IN 2004 DRIVING TO WORK CAR STALLED ON FREEWAY AND CUT OFF. TOOK TO AUTO SHOP DETERMINED ENGINE FROZE. REPLACED ENGINE 2009(NEEDED TO SAVE UP) ENGINE HAS GIVEN OUT AGAIN 2017. THERE IS OIL SLUG IN ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2001 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: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLU
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.
| Reliability raw | 55 | 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 656 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 490 of them (75%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 55/100 (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 2001 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 61/100. 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.