393 of the
8,078 complaints filed about the Dodge Intrepid
are about the braking system —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1994.
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.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11363860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE ARE WRITING TO LET YOU KNOW OF A MAJOR CAR FIRE THAT OCCURRED IN OUR DODGE INTREPID. THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE HOT/COLD NEEDLE BEGAN MOVING UP AND DOWN. THEN THE BRAKES GAVE OUT. THEN, THE POWER STEERING GAVE OUT. THE CAR STARTED SMOKING PRODUCING BLACK CHEMICAL SMOKE INTO THE CABIN. THEN, FIRE STARTED SHOOTING OUT OF THE VENTS. WITH NO BRAKES AND FIRE AND SMOKE INTO THE CAR, THE DRIVER WAS FORCED TO JUMP OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND ROLL ONTO THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE WITH THE CAR STILL GOING 30-40 MPH. THE DRIVER WAS IN EXTREME DANGER INSIDE THE CAR AND OBVIOUSLY LAYING ON THE INTERSTATE AS WELL. THE CAR ENDED UP IN THE DITCH WHILE COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. HE WAS ABLE TO GET ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THEY DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED INSIDE THE AREA OF THE HEATING CORE. THE FIRE WAS SO HOT THAT IT MELTED THE BOLTS WE WERE TOLD BY THE FIRE MARSHAL. THERE OBVIOUSLY WAS SOMETHING FAULTY WITH THE HEATER CORE TO GIVE THIS MUCH DAMAGE. THE DRIVER WAS TREATED AT THE ER FOR SMOKE INHALATION. THE CONTENTS IN THE CAR WERE EITHER BURNED, MELTED, OR HAVE SEVERE SMOKE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE IS A COMPLETE LOSS OF COURSE. WE LOST MANY ITEMS OF VALUE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WE WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE CAR, THE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED CONTENTS AND ANY MEDICAL BILLS.
NHTSA complaint #11283205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THERE WAS NO PASSENGER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. POLICE REPORT NUMBER: 19-341341 WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. *TR
NHTSA complaint #11205691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #10680960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEVERELY CORRODED BRAKE LINES, LINES BLEW. NEAR MISS ACCIDENT. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ACROSS MFRS. HAD THE SAME INCIDENT 1 MONTH AGO ON 1997 GM PRODUCT. WELL MAINTAINED CARS WITH SEVERELY CORRODED FUEL AND BRAKE LINES. I BET IT CAN BE TRACED TO A CHEAP SUPPLIER THAT SUPPLIED THE BIG 3 FOR A PERIOD OF YEARS. NO CORROSION RESISTANCE ON THE STEEL. CAN'T BLAME THIS ON NE WINTER SALT. MY OEM 1964 LOOKS BETTER THAN MY LATE MODEL VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10629432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50MPH AND STARTED SLOWING DOWN TO GET ON THE FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. I HAD A HARD TIME BRAKING AND NOTICE THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. THE CAR WAS STILL ACCELERATING EVEN WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I HAD TO PUSH AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE BRAKES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. THIS INCIDENT WENT ON FOR AT LEAST THREE MILES UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR POPPED BACK TO IT'S ORIGINAL SETTING. THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED IN THREE SEPARATE INCIDENTS SINCE.
NHTSA complaint #10563653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I LEARNED AFTER STATE SAFETY INSPECTION AT INSPECTION SITE 44994, SPIROS ON BOSTON STREET, SALEM, MA THAT MY BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE. MY AUTO PASSED SAFETY INSPECTION WITH BAD BRAKES. I SUSPECT A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CLASS II AUTO DEALER SHAMROCK MOTORS, THE INSPECTION OVERLOOKED THE BRAKE PROBLEM. T. TIRES OF CANNEL STREET SALEM FOUND ROTOR AND BRAKE NEEDED REPLACEMENT, WHEN FIXING A FLAT TIRE. WHEN APPROACHING NORM, OWNER, SHAMROCK MOTORS HE INSISTED THAT I AM A LIAR WITH MEMORY PROBLEMS. HE EXPLAINED PRE-SALES THAT DEMANDING CUSTOMERS WOULD HAVE THEIR CARS PURCHASED BACK RATHER THAN HONORING THE MASSACHUSETTS CONSUMER LAWS FOR THE CARS HE SOLD. THE MECHANICAL WORK IS DONE BY [XXX] OF CREEDON AUTO REPAIR ON CANAL STREET IN SALEM. [XXX] WAS INSISTENT THAT NO AUTO LEAVES HIS SHOP WITH SAFETY DEFECTS, YET THE BRAKES OF THIS AUTO ARE DEFECTIVE. AS A DISABLED ELDER, I BELIEVE THAT I AM THE SUBJECT OF NO LESS THAN OVER ENTHUSIASTIC SALESMANSHIP, FRAUD, AND DECEPTION BY NORM AT SHAMROCK WHO CALLS ME A LIAR AND MENTALLY DEFICIENT. THESE THREATS TO MY CHARACTER MAKE ME FEARFUL TO RETURN. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A CONSPIRACY BETWEEN SHAMROCK, SPIROS, AND CREEDON. I HAVE NO EVIDENCE OF THIS CONSPIRACY, I JUST KNOW THAT AT LEAST ONE OF MY BRAKES IS FAULTY. ANOTHER QUESTION IS THE MILAGE ON THE ODOMETER BEING ACCURATE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10515861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE PEDAL DID NOT ENGAGE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MERGED ONTO THE SHOULDER. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
NHTSA complaint #10492876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I INSTALLED NEW REAR BRAKES, THEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, I CHECK AROUND AND FOUND THAT THE STEEL BRAKE TUBING WAS RUSTED OUT AND SPRUNG A LEAK, REPAIRED TWO OF THE FOUR STEEL TUBINGS,NOW IT WAS LUCKY FOR ME I WAS IN THE BACK LAWN,. NOW IF I WAS ON THE ROAD WHO KNOWS WHAT COULD HAPPENED. HOW CAN A BIG COMPANY LIKE CHRYSLER GET AWAY WITH INSTALLING STEEL BRAKE LINES. IT SHOULD BE ILLEGAL TO INSTALL SUCH A HAZARD.. I WANDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS AND IF ANY ONE DIED BECAUSE OF THIS, THEY SHOULD BE SUED BIG TIME TONY CAPUTO PS THIS IS ACCIDENT,MY SON CALLED ME AND SAID HIS RV CHRYSLER DID THE SAME THING.HE WAS ON THE ROAD, HE MANAGED TO GET HOME OK, THERE SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF RECALL ON THIS, IT IS VERY VERY VERY DANGEROUS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10468088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MY 2000 INTREPID S ENGINE BLEW UP 2 YEARS AGO AND AGAIN 2DAYS AGO THERE WAS NO WARNING. MASTER CYLINDER IS FAILING AND THE STEERING PIN BROKE IN THE CAR AND LEFT ME HELPLESS I ENDED UP IN A DITCH. I CALLED DODGE AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY PAST 7 YEARS AND ITS ONLY BEEN 2.
NHTSA complaint #10455935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE ABS SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR AND THEY HAD BEEN BACK ORDERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.
NHTSA complaint #10453793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT BRAKES SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND ALLOWED TO COOL. THE BRAKES RELEASED AND FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL AFTER COOLING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, BOTH FRONT ROTORS, BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES, AND BOTH FRONT CALIPERS. THE CONTACT ALSO ALLOWED THE BRAKE LINES TO BLEED THROUGH, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/10/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER BOOSTER FAILED AND DAMAGED OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM, SUCH AS THE ROTORS, CALIPERS AND BRAKE HOSES. IT ALSO RUINED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE LINES. UPDATED 04/13/12
NHTSA complaint #10450317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING BREAK APPLICATION HE HEARS A GRINDING NOISE. BREAK FAILURE CAN LEAD TO INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF VEHICLE CRASH. ALL THE COMPONENTS IN THE BREAK SYSTEM WERE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR THE FAILURE RESURFACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99275. BL
NHTSA complaint #10284489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE BRAKE BOOSTER IS GETTING WATER IN TO IT AND FREEZING I REPLACED THE BOOSTER 4 YEARS AGO. SAME COMPLAINT HEN I HAD IT INTO A GARAGE THEY SAY THAT IT IS WATER A GAIN IT FROZE A GAIN EACH TIME IT DOES THIS THEIR IS NO WAY TO PUSH IN THE BRAKE PEDAL MEANING YOU HAVE NO BRAKES THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT AS YOU HAVE NO BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10258800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHEN PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER WOULD NOT ALLOW THE CONTACT TO INSPECT ITS UNDERCARRIAGE. AFTERWARDS, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND A MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT ALL OF THE MCPHERSON STRUTS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH, THE BRAKES, AND ALL FOUR ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT HARD AND DRIVE ROUGHLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 03-27-08 *BF THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING FOR THE PARKING LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS. UPDATED
NHTSA complaint #10221192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
BRAKE PEDAL HAS REPEATEDLY STUCK AND HAS TO BE MANUALLY UNSTUCK, SO THAT WHEN ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED THE CAR MOVES. HAS COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. LAST NOV THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. HAVING PROBLEMS AGAIN AND NOW THE DEALER SAID THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE CALIPERS RIGHT AND LEFT HAS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10211080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
BRAKE PEDAL HAS REPEATEDLY STUCK AND HAS TO BE MANUALLY UNSTUCK, SO THAT WHEN ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED THE CAR MOVES. HAS COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. LAST NOV THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. HAVING PROBLEMS AGAIN AND NOW THE DEALER SAID THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE CALIPERS RIGHT AND LEFT HAS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10211080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
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
NHTSA complaint #10202789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.