2003 Dodge Intrepid recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
What could happen: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2003 INTREPID.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 09E012000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-909-598-7589.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT. THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
2. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
What could happen: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2003 INTREPID.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 09E025000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-626-272-1798.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Summary: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY DOPE, INC. THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2003 Dodge Intrepid owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (64), Transmission / drivetrain (20), Brakes (14), Hydraulic (11), Electrical system (7).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
04/29/2024 · Engine
See attached document for complaint
02/05/2021 · Brakes
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 BRACKE…
09/24/2016 · Transmission / drivetrain
THE CAR HAS MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEMS LIKE ALL THE 03 2.7 L ENG SE. CONNECTING RODS IS FALLING OUT, AND ETC. THE CAR IS UNBALANCE. I TOOK THE CAR TODAY TO FIND WHY THE OLI LIGHT WAS COMING ON WHEN THE VEHICLE THERMOSTAT RISES. TURN OUT THE ENGINE ISN'T ALLOWING THE OIL TO REACH THE UPPER PART OF THE ENGINE AND THAT IS CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND MAKE NOI…
07/16/2014 · Transmission / drivetrain
MY CAR JUST WENT FROM FINE TO NOT FINE. I FELT LIKE IT WAS IN 2 GEAR WHILE DRIVING IT. SO I HAD TO PULL OVER STOP IT AND MAKE SURE I WAS IN THE RIGHT GEAR AND I WAS BUT IT WOULDN'T SHIFT TO DRIVE. STAYED IN 2 GEAR. THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I GOT TWO CODES. PO700 AND PO871. I LOVE MY CAR BUT CANT PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR THE REPAIR. THIS SHOUL…
06/16/2014 · Airbags · crash
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 C…
03/11/2014 · Engine · fire
DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN AZ THE CAR STARTED TO LOOSE POWER AND THAN TRAIL SMOKE.... AS WE PULLED OFF SMOKE ROLLED OUT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE... CHECKING THE PASSENGER SIDE, THERE WAS MELTING PLASTIC RUNNING TO THE GROUND AND THE TOP OF THE HOOD WAS HOT.. CAR LATER BURNT BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE.. TIME FROM IT LOST POWER TO…
02/23/2013 · Steering
AS I WAS BACKING INTO A PARALLEL PARKING SPACE, I HEARD A LOUD POP FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR, JUST AS I TAPPED THE CURB WITH MY BACK TIRES AT 2 MPH. I WENT TO PULL FORWARD TO STRAIGHTEN THE CAR AND ATTEMPT THE PARKING JOB AGAIN, WHEN I REALIZED THAT I COULD NO LONGER TURN THE WHEELS. THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED WITH EASE IN MY HAND, BUT THE TIRES DID NO…
01/31/2012 · Engine
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 TH…