DodgeIntrepid20012.7L/dodge/intrepid/2001/2-7l/
LH platform

2001 Dodge Intrepid — 2.7L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 Intrepid 2.7L. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.7L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.7LTransmission Automatic (S4)

The 2001 Dodge Intrepid is a mid‑size passenger car built on Chrysler’s LH platform and powered by a 2.7‑liter engine paired with an automatic S4 transmission, requiring five quarts of 5W‑30 oil with filter changes. Its fuel economy is modest at 18 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and a combined 21 mpg, reflecting the era’s focus on comfort rather than performance. Across the model’s 1992‑2004 run the Intrepid accumulated 656 owner complaints, with engine and cooling issues topping the list and five recalls issued, placing the 2001 year squarely in the middle of a reliability curve that peaked in complaints in 2000 and was far above the low‑complaint baseline of 1992. Consequently, researchers should treat the 2001 Intrepid as a vehicle with average durability for its generation, noting that its modest fuel ratings and documented engine‑related concerns are typical of this period in the model’s history.

Model year2004200320022001200019991998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/26/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 500 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, spark plug, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-55R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter04591100AC discontinued
Spark plug68304017AA discontinued · alt 68304015AA
BatteryBB34F101AA alt BB34U900AA
Front wiper blades05011206AC alt 05011207AB
Serpentine belt04663950AF discontinued · alt 04892479AB
Thermostat68027789AA discontinued · alt 04792237AE

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S4)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 26 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume104 cu ft
Cargo volume18 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0-21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8.7 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts125 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts9.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0-21.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub105 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub124 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.4-.6 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.56 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58 + or - 5 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)Longitudinal engines 44.0-54.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle16 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket16 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.458 in / 1.019 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9020 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
1Bolts 1 - 8 to 48 N##m (35 ft. lbs.)35 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1 - 8 to 75 N##m (55 ft. lbs.)55 ft. lbs
3Bolts 1 - 8 to 75 N##m (55 ft. lbs.)55 ft. lbs
4Bolts 1 - 8 to +90 degrees Turn Do not use a torque wrench for this step.90 degrees
5Bolts 9 - 11 to 28 N##m (250 in. lbs.)250 in
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
1All to 61 N##m (45 ft. lbs.)45 ft. lbs
2All to 88 N##m (65 ft. lbs.)65 ft. lbs
3All (again) to 88 N##m (65 ft. lbs.)65 ft. lbs
4+ 90 degrees Turn Do not use a torque wrench for this step.; Bolt torque after 90 degrees turn should be over 122 N##m (90 ft. lbs.) in the tightening direction. If not, replace the bolt.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
1All to 61 N##m (45 ft. lbs.)45 ft. lbs
2All to 88 N##m (65 ft. lbs.)65 ft. lbs
3All (again) to 88 N##m (65 ft. lbs.)65 ft. lbs
4+ 90 degrees Turn Do not use a torque wrench for this step.; Bolt torque after 90 degrees turn should be over 122 N##m (90 ft. lbs.) in the tightening direction. If not, replace the bolt.90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Tighten the cap bolts to finger tight. Step 215 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 100,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2001 Dodge Intrepid sits on the descending slope of a complaint and recall arc that peaked sharply in the preceding two years. After the generation's highest complaint totals of 1,058 in 1999 and 1,094 in 2000, the 2001 model year drops to 656 complaints, with recalls falling from 9 to 5 and TSBs from 81 to 62. This places the 2001 model in a clear improvement trend that continues downward through 2002 (340 complaints, 3 recalls) and 2003 (106 complaints, 2 recalls). However, the 2001 year still concentrates heavily in the Engine & Engine Cooling category, which accounts for 490 of its 656 complaints, along with 22 fire-related complaints. While the data does not specify root causes, the volume suggests engine-related concerns remain elevated compared to later years. Overall, the 2001 Intrepid is a markedly better choice than the troubled 1999–2000 models, but a buyer should prioritize a rigorous inspection of the engine and cooling system.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
62
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
656
Owner complaints
22 involved a crash · 22 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 656 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling490
Steering29
Air Bags15
Power Train15
Engine & Engine Cooling,Power Train12
Engine & Engine Cooling,Equipment7
Seats6
Exterior Lighting6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

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… 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…

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 62 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
23-015-202020-04-30EquipmentDisinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Intrepid. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2001 Intrepid 2.7L take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2001 Intrepid have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.7L get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined mpg.