2003 Dodge Intrepid Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year report engine problems most often, and the 2.7L V6 comes up repeatedly in those complaints. Descriptions range from a sudden stall or seized engine to oil-sludge buildup found after routine maintenance, and many are tied to the oil pressure light coming on. Transmission shifting complaints and brake-related reports (rotors, pedal feel, rear parking brake hardware) round out the sample.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   2.7L V6 engine stalls, seizes or fails

   • 51 complaints (48%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 5.3 yrs old (41 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $6,000 (median of 12 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2016

   Owners describe the engine quitting without warning at highway or in-town speeds, sometimes with a loud knocking or banging noise, an oil pressure light, or smoke. Repair shops and dealers in the complaints often report internal damage — sludge buildup, a thrown connecting rod, failed main bearings, or coolant mixed with oil — and quote engine replacement. Several owners say the work was quoted at a few thousand dollars and that warranty or manufacturer assistance was not offered. Reported from roughly 44,000 to 150,000 miles, with many between about 60,000 and 90,000 miles, often while driving at speed.

   What to check: Listen for knocking at idle and on startup, check the oil level and condition, and ask for oil change records. A pre-purchase inspection that checks for sludge under the oil cap and reads stored codes is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving to work the car lost power and acceleration several times and finally made a loud clanking banging sound. It stalled and completely stopped about a minute after the sounds. I had the car towed to my mechanic's shop and he said the engine had seized due to oil sludge build-up and that the engine would have to be replaced. He also stated that this was a familiar occurrence with this specific engine, the 2.7l v6. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10445980, filed 2012-01, 104,000 miles

   “My vehicle (2003 2.7l Dodge Intrepid) was being driven on the highway by my fiance. She said that the engine check engine light came on and the car began to sputter. She managed to work her way through the traffic and when she got to the side of the road the car died. It was towed to the Dodge dealership and they said that the connecting rod cap came off and blew out of the oil pan. The repairs will cost me 8,000.00. Which I cannot afford.”

   NHTSA complaint #10188485, filed 2007-04, 79,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, hard shifting or stuck in gear

   • 17 complaints (16%)
   • median 44,807 mi at 3.0 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • filed 2004–2014

   Owners describe harsh or banging shifts, the transmission dropping out of overdrive, or the car staying in one gear and refusing to upshift until the engine is shut off and restarted. Some complaints mention a check engine light along with codes, and dealers replaced the valve body, solenoid or the whole transmission in various cases. Several owners note that the dealer could not reproduce or find codes for the complaint. Reported from about 10,000 to 90,000 miles, with many between roughly 30,000 and 70,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive from cold through several upshifts and a highway on-ramp, and watch for delayed or harsh engagement when shifting from park to drive or reverse. Ask whether transmission fluid and filter service records exist.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased my 2003 Intrepid in december 2003 with 20,000 miles.in the spring of 2004 I had to replace the front rotors and discs it is now august 2004 and the same problem is occurring starting with squeaking and pulsation followed by grinding. The vehicle now has 40,000 miles on it and I am once again replacing rotors and discs. I do not have the 1st pair of rotors and discs that were replaced however I will keep this set. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10086121, filed 2004-08, 30,000 miles

   “Transmission light went on 8/11/04, and immediately, the car dropped into 3rd gear and would not go into overdrive. I took the car in for service. After a $100 deductable, the valve body was replaced. A few days later, it failed again. I returned to the same dealership (town & country Dodge in clarkston, mi). They reset the codes, in their description, and test drove it again. When I drove it home, it failed for a third time, same mode.”

   NHTSA complaint #10088185, filed 2004-08, 44,807 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pulsation, spongy pedal and rear parking brake failure

   • 10 complaints (9%)
   • median 64,000 mi at 3.4 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2021

   Complaints describe front rotors and pads needing replacement or resurfacing at relatively low mileage, with squeaking, grinding and pedal pulsation returning. Other reports describe a soft or spongy pedal with severely reduced stopping ability, which a dealer attributed to a failed brake booster. One owner reports rear parking brake hardware coming apart and locking a wheel, with the adjuster bracket no longer available. Reported from about 13,000 to 73,000 miles; pedal and parking brake reports mostly in the 60,000 to 73,000 mile range.

   What to check: Check for pedal pulsation on a firm stop, inspect front rotor condition and thickness, and test the parking brake on a slope; ask about prior rotor and booster work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving under normal driving conditions brakes weren't functioning properly. The brakes felt spongy, and were hard to depress. A few minutes after parking and exiting the vehicle it burst into flames. Consumer noticed several other complaints related to brakes and brake line fires.”

   NHTSA complaint #10094056, filed 2004-09, 66,000 miles

   “While traveling at freeway speed a scraping noise was heard followed by the rear passenger wheel locking up. Tire and rim were ground down, while I brought the vehicle to a stop. Mechanics notes: ebrake came apart passenger rear and locked brake up, causing backing plate to rip apart from ebrake mounting. Ebrake adjuster bracket damaged as well. The bracket adjusts the brake shoes and holds the brake cable in place. The part is not available from any vendor and has been discontinued by the dealer. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11394894, filed 2021-02, 73,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Cam or crank sensor failure causing stalling

   • 22 complaints (21%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $6,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2011

   Owners describe the engine cutting out at low or highway speed, sometimes with violent shaking or the RPMs jumping, and the check engine light coming on. Dealers and shops identified a failed camshaft or crankshaft position sensor, and in several complaints the sensor was replaced more than once. Some reports note misfiring or starting trouble that persisted after sensor replacement. Reported from about 10,000 to 95,000 miles, with a cluster between roughly 40,000 and 90,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the cam and crank sensors have been replaced and when; watch for a stored code or a check engine light during the test drive, and note any hesitation or stalling at low speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While at cruising speed on the freeway my 2003 Dodge Intrepid sxt suddenly and without warning stopped running, leaving me with no power on a very crowded freeway. After pulling to the side of the road (after many near misses with other vehicles, I was able to restart the car and proceed home. The check engine light was on from the time of the incident. After running a diagnostic check the Dodge dealer advised that the camshaft position sensor had failed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10172742, filed 2006-11, 39,875 miles

   “I have a 2003 Dodge Intrepid with 72,000 miles on it. We have had this car since it had 9,000 miles on it and have done all the suggested repairs and oil changes since the first day we had it. Recently while my husband was driving the car it started to shake violently on the freeway (almost causing a few accidents) and the RPM's jumped way up over 4000. Then the engine light came on. The repair shop said it was the cam sensor. It was replaced and within an hour the same thing happened. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10186498, filed 2007-03, 72,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Cooling fan and overheating problems

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe severe overheating shortly after driving, sometimes with no temperature warning because gauges or indicators were not working properly. In one report a failed water pump led to overheated coolant and a small fire, and another describes coolant hoses bursting and coolant loss. Dealers identified cooling fans and cooling-related parts as the source in some of these cases. Mostly in the 60,000 to 80,000 mile range, and in some cases within minutes of starting a drive.

   What to check: With the engine warm, confirm both cooling fans run and the temperature gauge responds; check for coolant residue, hose condition and water pump noise.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Below, please find a partial copy of an email complaint sent to Dodge on 4/27/06 complaint! Please be advise that on the evening of tuesday 4/25/06, my 2003 Intrepid overheated severely (without warning) after a ten minute ride. Sadly, the dashboard indicators and temperature gauge were not working properly and thus I was not aware that the vehicle (which was recently maintenance by the dealer) was in such distress. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10156358, filed 2006-04, 62,000 miles

   “Have a 2003 Dodge Intrepid. Husband driving car home and no lights came on. The car made loud banging type noises and he pulled over. Had car looked at - engine failure. This could've lead to an accident when it first started banging so loudly and we also had a coolant problem that suddenly the hoses popped and anti freeze was lost everywhere - it spewed against the hood and we paid 600 for that , and waiting to hear cost of engine now - mad that chrysler won't stick behind their vehicles! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10399266, filed 2011-05, 136,000 miles

Buying note. The engine is the main thing to evaluate on this model year: a compression check, an oil-sludge inspection and a scan for stored codes are cheap compared with engine replacement. Service records for transmission fluid and cooling system work are worth asking for, and a thorough test drive that includes highway speeds and several stops will surface most shifting and brake complaints.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.