Acceleration complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Intrepid. The contact stated that after shifting into reverse the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into a concrete wall. The contact indicated that during the failure the vehicle would not stop when the brakes were applied. The contact and the front passenger both suffered headaches and the contact also suffered an upper back injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,874. The consumer stated on June 13, 2014, immediately after she put the vehicle in reverse, the vehicle jerked suddenly and accelerated out of control. She tried to apply the brake but the vehicle would not stop. The consumer stated the air bags failed to deploy. Updated 09/03/14
Car sticks in 2nd gear during driving and frequently stops moving, going into limp mode. While driving the car will not accelerate and the RPM will go from 2 to 4. When decelerating and breaking, it will act erratic often as if it was placed in neutral and jerk. While in a parking lot surrounded by pedestrians the did the same and did not stop as it should have. This problem is unpredictable and can lead to accidents as it May occur at any time (on the freeway and hillsides). Dealerships will tell people the computer is returning a p1776 and p0700 code. I was told to get another transmission. A different repair station suggested a new solenoid pack for the 2003 Dodge Intrepid es 3.5l. The solenoid pack with build date ranges from 3001 and 0603 May be defective (search "21-008-04 rev. A" service bulletin). …
We bought this car as the third owner the air bag light was on the cruise control didn't work and the horn wouldn't sound.after searching the internet,and finding out that they had many many of the internal pasts changed and the multitudes of people reimbursed, we took our car to the dealer and told because we were the third owner,and that the mileage was high,they would not accept responsibility. The car was never been in a accident,nor has it been abused. I think that because my horn can't work it May be a concern. I also think wile driving my air bag May deploy causing an insident.both Dodge Intrepid , and other dodges have the same problems. The problem can be resolved by paying 4-to5 hundred dollars to the consumer. …
Bought a Dodge Intrepid the engine has been replaced twice it's an 2.7 v.6 .... The car stalls , the light flickers on an off as well as my radio!! My sensor are faulty because it give my car faulty reading to the wrong errs not only, that I have had build up in both engines grime and broken down particles! My speed is off sometime my car picks up speed by it self or it don't gain speed at all! The car also loses power for no reason at all! Drain my battery four times! Over heat without warning! Had my thermostat replace twice!!! To many problem keep occurring and I can keep up with any of this!! Texas dmv told me about this site told me about that these cars are not any good!! Please help what do I do with this car?
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 MPH the cruise control failed to engage as he had to increase his speed to avoid being rear-ended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that he researched the failure online and found NHTSA action number: pe03010 (vehicle speed control) and believes the failure was related. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available.
My 2001 Dodge Intrepid se has a problem with sudden acceleration. I bought this car in 2001. I am the second owner. This problem occurs only when the air conditioning is turned on. This problem is especially harrowing at times when the car should be decelerating - I.e. When approaching a stop light or pulling into the garage. During normal operation of the engine at these times, RPM's usually range from 750 to 1100 RPM depending on speed of the car. During a "problem" period as one begins the process of deceleration, the engine RPM's will jump up to 2200 - 2500 RPM thus causing unusual use of the brake pedal to compensate for the sudden acceleration. I have also found that the electronic transmission will begin to "gear-down" as though my braking is interpreted as climbing a hill or passing another car. …
I pulled out of a parking lot and drove about two blocks. My speed was about 20 MPH. There was a red light ahead and I applied my breaks. Instead of stopping, my 2000 Dodge Intrepid sped up. I pushed harder on the break pedal, to no avail. The car sped through the intersection and slammed into another car. I mentioned this to the insurance agent and the car was checked out after it was repaired at the body shop. The Dodge dealer said the cruise control cable was broken as a result of my accident. I do not know what or why the car did not stop when I applied the brakes and then firmly applied the brakes. The only way I got the car to stop was to turn off the key.
Dt*: the contact stated when the vehicle was started; the engine was chugging and would not accelerate properly while traveling 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the nearest repair shop. After six weeks, diagnostics and physical inspection showed a valve part May have fallen into the motor causing damage and there was a severe sludge problem requiring the engine to be replaced. The service dealer bought the vehicle from the contact. The manufacturer was not alerted.
NHTSA investigations
Underhood fuel leaks
A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if waarranted by the circumstances.an engineering analysis clossing report is included in the public file.
Throttle control failure
Based on the low failure rate, the absence of failures over the past year, the absence of injuries, and odi's field investigation of incident vehicles, a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.the agency will take further action if warranted…
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Intrepid years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (29), 1995 (25), 1998 (14), 2000 (11) and 1997 (8) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Dodge Intrepid acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for any Dodge Intrepid model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Dodge Intrepid acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles; 24% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (13 mentions), followed by the cruise control (11).
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.