Door Lock & Latch complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Passenger inside door handle broke off at only 41000 miles. Called the service dept and am told it is not covered. Will have to pay for repair. I will never buy this car again. This is my second Intrepid and was too stupid to learn my lesson the first time. Dodge is now a memory, I am sorry but I am buying japanese. Everytime I have a problem they either cannot find the cause or it is not covered by the warranty how could a handle break when I take care of the car so well. Unbelievable! Another lost patriotic American changing to foreign vehicles. I hope they go bankrupt!
Consumer states that automatic door lock does not work. She had replaced the one in the front door. The doors automatically lock at 15 MPH, but will not release until she cut the vehicle off. But the lock in the back will not release until all the other automatically release, and then has to release it manually. Consumer states that the mechanic can repair it, but it will cost approximately $250.00 per door. She feels this is a safety issue, because if something happens and the passengers cannot get out of the vehicle.
While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The consumer was told that the engine contained sludge build up after having the timing chain tensioner changed. The consumer had the engine flushed two times to improve the sludge problem. After that, the vehicle stalled when the vehicle was in motion at highway speeds. The timing chain had blown and caused engine damage. The timing chain was changed at the dealer who changed the timing tensioner. The consumer found that there were numerous cases of this problem in Chrysler vehicles. (the tube that brings the oil up into the engine clogs up, resulting in an under-oiled engine, showing the fault being the owners) the consumer requested that Chrysler cover the cost of the engine replacement. Also, the brakes pulsated and the trunk lock was broken.
While driving and making a turn into the parking lot vehicle was filled with smoke. Consumer could not get out of the seat because the seat belt engaged, locking her in. Once getting out of the seat belt she could not get out of the vehicle because the power door locks engaged also.
Vehicle: 2000 Dodge Intrepid; approximately mileage 39,100; garage kept; passenger side front power lock started making a very loud grinding noise in November 2004. I took the car to the dealership and the lock was replaced - cost was $250. I do not have the old door lock part. In December 2004, the passenger side back power lock started making the same noise. In February 2005, the drivers side back power lock started making the same noise. Also, this door would not unlock or open. The lock was stuck until the next day. I have not had these two door locks replaced yet. I called the dealership today, March 7, 2005, to see if there was a recall on the power door locks. They told me no but they had replaced numerous power door locks on intrepids. They told me to call the Dodge customer assistance phone number. …
There have been several problems with my 2000 Intrepid 2.7l. I have had to replace all the door lock motors at different times, starting all the way back from 1/8/04 and the final one was just this month (February.) I was having an issue with the car stalling out while I was driving it. Some times it would start back up while it was still coasting, other times it would take a long time before it would start again, leaving me sitting on the side of the road. When hooked up to a diagnostic machine it would not show what caused the malfunction. My mechanic had to change random censors until we found the correct one. Which turned out to be the crank sensor. This problem was occurring around February/March of 2007, with only 60,121 mileage when the first one was replaced. Then this past Wednesday, 2/27/08, the engine started to make a knocking sound. …
1999 Dodge Intrepid water pump and timing chain failed. The vehicle would not start while at the gas station. The vehicle never ran hot or made loud noises and there were no indications of a problem. The consumer was informed per service dealer that the engines had serious problems. The consumer felt that maybe in was not necessary to replace the entire engine at 59,500 miles. Chrysler was not willing to refund the consumer some or all of the monies spent on repairs. The A/C evaorator coil, fan resistor and trunk lock master cylinder which were all in perfect working order pror to being serviced at the dealership failed to work properly after vehicle was pick up from service. Dealership claimed problems were unrelated.
From what they say, my timing belt came off and took out the engine. I also had problems with the power locks going out at the same time, the steering was starting to go out and the cam sensor went out.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Intrepid years have door lock & latch problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (28), 1996 (7), 1999 (6) and 1995 (5) model years. Door Lock & Latch complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Dodge Intrepid door lock & latch problems?
No. NHTSA lists no locks & latches 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 door lock & latch problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles; 31% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the doors › latch (31 mentions), followed by the trunk lid › lock (10).
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.