15 of the
140 complaints about the 2003 Dodge Intrepid are about the
braking system — 11% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
48,480 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. CONSEQUENTLY NEW EBRAKE SHOES AND HARDWARE CAN NOT BE INSTALLED." OF COURSE A PART CAN FAIL ON A NOW 17 YEAR OLD VEHICLE, BUT IT SEEMS THAT THE ROUTINE FAILURE MODE AND EFFECT ANALYSIS OVERLOOKED THIS PART. A LESS ABLE DRIVER MIGHT HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. AS FAR AS I KNOW, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAS NEVER BEEN USED IN THE 17 YEAR LIFE OF THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11394894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 153,874 milesMesa, AZCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
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
NHTSA complaint #10598649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesIndependence, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. HE APPLIED THE BRAKES APPROXIMATELY TEN SECONDS BEFORE THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY STOPPED. THE LOCAL DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE BOOST PUMP FAILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.
NHTSA complaint #10198824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spokane, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY STALLING OCCURRED CAUSING PROBLEMS TO THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE TIRE ROD ENDS WERE SHOT AND VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE CENSOR OF THE VEHICLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEMS ON THE STEERING AND THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE SOON ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH OVERHEATING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SMOKE AND AN OIL BURNING SMELL TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE CAUSE FOR OVERHEATING WAS DUE TO SLUDGE IN THE MOTOR AND THAT THE COST FOR REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10161977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, DC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2003 INTREPID MAKES A THUMPING NOISE WHEN BRAKES GET HOT. *TS WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE THUMPING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONSUMER STATED IT SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CALIPER. *JB THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #10159433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,960 milesSAN Diego, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER HAS HAD 2 REPLACEMENT BRAKES AND 4 NEW RADIOS ON 2003 DODGE INTREPID AFTER BEING TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH EITHER. *TS THE WINDSHIELD AND BOTH SIDE MIRRORS WERE PITTED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE SECOND TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THEY REPLACED THE MAF SENSOR. THE SERPENTINE BELT CRACKED. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED FROM COOLER HOSES. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS WERE MACHINED. THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT THE DEALER REIMBURSE HIS SOME OF HIS MONEY AND RETURN HIS TRADE-IN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10143217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Marys, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED, WITH 24,000 MILES ON IT, 18 MONTHS AGO. 6 TIMES TO SHOP: 1) ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, HAD TO HAVE TIE ROD REPLACED 2) BRAKES NEEDED AFTER APPROX 14 MONTHS FROM PURCHASE 3) ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 14 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE 4) WATER PUMP HOUSING CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, AT MY EXPENSE, AFTER DEALERSHIP CRIMPED WATER PUMP HOUSING WHEN PUTTING IN REPLACEMENT POWER TRAIN 5) SWAY BAR BUSHINGS NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 16 MONTHS 6) WAS JUST DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND 4 MILES FROM HOME ENGINE BEGAN MAKING WEIRD NOISES AND BY THE TIME I GOT HOME WAS MAKING VERY LOUD ENGINE NOISES, SOUNDS LIKE TRANSMISSION? DIDN'T WANT TO ACCELERATE. TURNED CAR OFF WHEN I GOT HOME AND DIDN'T WANT TO START AN HOUR LATER, JUST CRANKED AND CRANKED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A LEMON, BUT SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED, DON'T THINK I'M COVERED UNDER LEMON LAW. WILL ATTEMPT TO FORCE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE CAR WITH A DIFFERENT MODEL TOMORROW. OH, AND ALSO THE INNER DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE DOESN'T OPEN THE CAR DOOR. IT BROKE ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, AND I HAVEN'T FIXED IT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO CHARGE $50 FOR THE PART AND WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH FOR THE LABOR.
NHTSA complaint #10143984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Troup, TXCrashFire2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THIS INTREPID WAS PURCHASED TO USE AS A PATROL UNIT. WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE BRAKES FAILED ON ABOUT DECEMBER 22, 2004 JUST 3 WEEKS AFTER IT WAS WORKED ON BY A DODGE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT, SERIOUSLY INJURING A DEPUTY AND AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER. THE DEPUTY HAS SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DODGE INTREPID BRAKES (ESPECIALLY FROM OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES). WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL OR THIS EVEN BEEN LOOKED INTO?
NHTSA complaint #10110659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,000 milesPalestine, TXFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nashville, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NAR 05/21/2003. *MR TEST DRIVES PERFORMED ON TWO DODGE INTREPIDS CONCERNING BRAKE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10021569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,565 milesDouglasville, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DEALER REPLACED AT 13,565 MILES THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS. AT 39,092 MILES, ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AND REPLACED THE PADS. AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE AT 51,000 MILES DEALERSHIP RESURFACED THE ROTORS.
NHTSA complaint #10087410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,565 milesDouglasville, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
DEALER REPLACED AT 13,565 MILES THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS. AT 39,092 MILES, ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AND REPLACED THE PADS. AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE AT 51,000 MILES DEALERSHIP RESURFACED THE ROTORS.
NHTSA complaint #10087410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesRichwood, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
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. ANOTHER PROBLEM I HAVE STARTED NOTICING IS WHEN SHIFTING THE CAR INTO DRIVE IT OCCASSIONALLY DOES NOT RESPOND AND I HAVE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE DRIVE WILL ENGAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10086121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Venetia, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE WORN OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. *JB THE CONSUMER FOUND THE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR RUSTED AND PITTED. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 10K MILES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10083503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nashville, TNFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2003 DODGE INTREPIDS' BRAKES CAUGHT FIRE DURING HARD BRAKING MANEUVERS. THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT PUT FOUR INTREPIDS THROUGH THE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT'S STANDARD DRIVING COURSE WHICH INCLUDED MANY STOPS AND TURNS REQUIRING REPEATED BRAKING. TWO CARS WERE TESTED ON MARCH 11, 2003. THE TEST WAS REPEATED WITH TWO DIFFERENT INTREPIDS ON APRIL 3, 2003. THE FRONT BRAKES ON ALL FOUR CARS CAUGHT ON FIRE. AT LEAST ONE VEHICLE WAS FOUND TO HAVE NO BRAKES AFTER COMPLETING THE COURSE. IN ADDITION, ON APRIL 11, 2003, THE FRONT BRAKES ON AN INTREPID BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN IN NORMAL AFTERNOON TRAFFIC BY AN EMPLOYEE OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT WORKING FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT. NONE OF THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED IN ANY FATALITIES, PERSONAL INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE BEYOND THE DAMAGE TO THE CARS.
NHTSA complaint #10020283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.