2001 Dodge Intrepid Complaints

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 vehicle was totaled. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated that the vehicle was donated to the local fire department and no longer exists.

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.

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 TO DRIVE HOME, WHICH SHOULD HAVE TAKEN ONLY HALF HOUR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I CAN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE NOW IN FEAR THAT I WILL BE IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH DODGE VEHICLES. I CAN'T DRIVE MY VAN IN FEAR IT WILL END UP KILLING MYSELF, MY FAMILY, OR SOME INNOCENT PERSON ON THE ROADWAY. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. A RECALL IS NEEDED TO FIND THIS ONGOING ISSUE. THERE ISN'T A SPECIFIC DATE BUT A CONSTANT ISSUE.

STRONG GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR AND THROUGH THE AIR VENTS WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING. NO VISIBLE LEAKS UNDER CAR.

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 ENGINE. AFTER THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED, DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS AND ENGINE LIGHT REAPPEARED. FOR APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS, VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH ENGINE LIGHT TURNING ON AND OFF ON ITS OWN. AT TIMES, THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START, PARTICULARLY IN COLD WEATHER, BUT WOULD RESOLVE ITSELF AND START FINE WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNING OFF. AFTER 18 MONTHS, THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED LIT ALL THE TIME. IT WOULD STALL IN TRAFFIC AND THE OIL LIGHT WOULD APPEAR. AT THIS POINT, AFTER READING THOUSANDS OF OTHERS COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE/ENGINE AND UNDERSTANDING ENGINE REPAIR COSTS WOULD ECLIPSE THE VALUE, I DECIDED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.