2003 Dodge Intrepid ES from North America - Comments

Rented this car and after leaving the lot within 3 minutes, the check engine light came on and after another minute, it stalled and left us sit for one half an hour. We were picked up in a Taurus and had no problems there after. Never did bother to find out what was wrong with it.

I purposefully wanted to drive this exact car to see if what everyone said was true. Car seemed nice to drive for the first three minutes. I have never owned a Dodge and now never will. I thought if I liked it, I may buy one for the wife. I am not sorry this happened as it was a real eye opener to what Dodge is about.

What a joke. I can get more distance from a good drive off the tee box.

Please, do a better job of checking out the car before posting a negative review. You drove the car for all of three minutes and you base a review on that? This was a rental car, as you said. How many miles were on it? You know as well as everyone else does that rental cars are driven very hard and go through an unusual amount of wear and tear.

I have a 2003 Intrepid SE with 24K on it and have had not a single problem with it since the day I bought it. Regular, thorough maintenance is the key to making any car last.

Though I don't share the blatant disgust of the first poster, the car is not without its share of issues, regardless of maintenance rituals. I believe the Intrepid is a good car, despite the issues I've experienced. I think Dodge, as a company, could do better at addressing some of the issues that have plagued the vehicle since at least 1996. I have driven my Intrepid for well over 100,000 miles, and I can tell you this much:

If you haven't replaced a vehicle speed sensor, you will.

If you haven't seen lights turn on and off at random (inside the car), you will.

There are other issues that many individuals have reported. I find it comforting to keep a speed sensor in the glove compartment, just in case. FYI, you can pick them up from a local parts store (Advance Auto, etc) for about $30.00 or so (output side speed sensor). When (not if) your sensor goes, and your transmission slips into "limp home" mode (not getting out of second gear), you'll be glad you did.

-Dane Walker Sr.

CbrRydah@Comcast.net.

I have just recently purchased a 2003 Intrepid (55,000 miles).

We now have problems with:

1) When coming up to a stop the transmission will down shift into first gear, it will then not shift upon acceleration. You must pull over and shut off the car. You can then re-start and it will be fine possibly until the next time you start to slow down. It is an inter mitten problem. (My mechanic says it is the "Input Sensor"?)

2) Clicking noise under the dash. When this happens at night, all of the lights are flashing on and off. (Mechanic believes this is from the "Remote Car Starter"?)

I have only had the car 2 months, and of course none of the above is covered by the extended warranty. they do not cover electrical items... only mechanical issues?

I suppose I could drive the heck out of it in first gear until the transmission is smoked, they would then cover the thousands to repair the transmission, but not the 50.00 sensor?