Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Dodge Intrepid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Vehicle was parked in a driveway and it jumped out of gear and hit a tree. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, but dealer was unable to resolve the problem. The consumers 4 year old daughters hand grabbed the shifting lever while being moved from the front seat to the child seat in the back. The vehicle began to roll forward. The keys were still in the consumers hand. The consumer was thrown to the ground. * tc
I was driving my 2001 Dodge Intrepid I pulled in to shopping center put my foot on brake put my car in park my engine revved up as though it was going 50 miles an hr a loud noise my car took off by itself and hit the car in front of me please tell me what could have caused that.
A few days after I bought the car the engine light came on, and I took it back to the dealer. He said it was the fuel cap making the engine light come on, he put a new one on, and said that should solve it. The engine light came back on, and a month later, the car wouldn't start. I had it towed to a shop, and they said it needed a new fuel pump. I called the dealer, and he said it was nothing he could do because the warranty was only for a month. I just started driving it again,the car would take a minute before it picked up speed, like it was stalling. I drove it until just recently it just stopped while I was driving. I had the car towed and it was put on a machine and the transmission is out. I have had the car a year. One day the car wouldn't go in reverse, and I checked the transmission fluid, and it was fine. Then , it drove fine a couple days then completely stopped. …
20 01 Dodge Intrepid,43K. Mi., purchased in 02, drive 7000. Miles, year maintained to specks. Last oil change showed massive amounts of sludge build-up. Two weeks later the engine blew. According to serv. Mgr. At dealership where we purchased it, it is the timing chain guides. I'm sure he's farmiliar with the noise because Chrysler have denied thousands of people the use of thier 2.7 l engined vehicles for a long, long time. It is a known cronic problem with this engine, and they know it, and nothing is being done about it. And, like thousands of others, we have to continue to pay for the driveway ornament as it can only sit there. We certaimly can't afford to fix it, so we borrowed my mother-in laws car, which got stolen from our driveway a week after we borrowed it. …
Tl 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 the PCM was replaced. Updated 07/02/09.
I was driving the car and check engine light came on. I was planning on taking the car in for service work the following week. On the way home from a 3 mile trip, a heard an odd squealing and gears started to slip from the engine and proceeded to the dealer. The transmission fluid was checked each time I brought car in for oil change/servicing and was up to the max line when I checked it the day prior. Dealer called back to tell me that my transmission failed and it will be 3381 bucks to repair for 4250 for replacement. In reviewing this and other websites, I have found numerous complaints regarding Chrysler transmissions of the same part number over the past dozen years.
Dt: contact owns a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. He stated that his wife complained that the car was hard to shift into park and in to he other gears. The mechanic that checked vehicle said it was the shift cable that connects the shift lever to the transmission. The mechanic said this was a very common problem with intrepids. On 10-03-05 he had the cable replaced at a cost of $207.19. Had to wait four days before the parts came in to get vehicle fixed. The contact wanted to file a complaint because this frightened him because if this was a major problem with the intrepids as the mechanic stated, why has this never fallen under a recall?
Mutiple reoccuring problems with the transmission on my 2001 Dodge inrepid that I purchased new. Tranmission had an oil pan leak first, then was leaking again six months later from the "weep" hole. Dealer stated that this was going to require the tranmission be removed from the vehicle and repaired. The car has only 38,000 miles on it. Also had a multitude of other problems with the vehicle including: been in the shop 3 times for an oil pan leak been in the shop for a leaking air conditioning system been in the shop for sway bar links and bushings this is a very poor quality automobile and consumers are being cheated by Dodge.
Dt*: the contact stated the engine blew while driving on the freeway. This occurred twice. The first incident occurred at 50,000 miles, and the second at 97000 miles. Also, the transmission blew at 45000 miles. The engine issue was not oil related. The contact expressed the defect was related the engine. The oil had turned yellow. The contact also expressed that the transmission problems were probably related to the engine problems. There were also some computer problems; the computer was not allowing the RPM's increase properly. The vehicle's computer was repaired by the contact. Updated 11/9/2006 -
Dt: transmission went out about month ago. Just had transmission redone, however, vehicle overheated. Took to a mechanic and was informed 2 fans were working properly. Next day was stuck in rush hour traffic when the car overheated. Tried to maneuver through traffic and engine started knocking. Parked car in parking lot, and steam began to pour out. Did not open hood. Called mechanic and tow truck, and was informed that, engine was totally shot. It was poorly designed. Called Dodge with no success, they offered no remedy.
Transmission complaints in other Intrepid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Dodge Intrepid?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Dodge Intrepid, 5% of the model year's 656 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Dodge Intrepid transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2001 Dodge Intrepid, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Dodge Intrepid transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.