WAS DRIVING SMELLED HOT WHEN GOT HOME 3 MILES LATTER OPENED HOOD COOLING FAN WAS SMOKING THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE
2002 Dodge Intrepid
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Dodge Intrepid do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 377.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Intrepid years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
260 reports with mileage · 69 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 207 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
15 reportsIGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. AFTER TURNING OFF CAR, SWITCH SLIPS INTO ACCESSORY POSITION AND DRAINS BATTERY. CAR DOES NOT START WHEN I RETURN TO THE CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE. I NEED TO PAY FOR A JUMP OR NEW BATTERY, OR TOW TO MY MECHANIC. THEN I HAVE TO KEEP REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE ORIGINAL IGNITION SWITCH LASTED UNTIL …
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IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. AFTER TURNING OFF CAR, SWITCH SLIPS INTO ACCESSORY POSITION AND DRAINS BATTERY. CAR DOES NOT START WHEN I RETURN TO THE CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE. I NEED TO PAY FOR A JUMP OR NEW BATTERY, OR TOW TO MY MECHANIC. THEN I HAVE TO KEEP REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE ORIGINAL IGNITION SWITCH LASTED UNTIL 2011. THE AFTER MARKET IGNITION SWITCHES FAIL WITHIN ABOUT A YEAR. SOMETIMES WITHIN A FEW MONTHS. SINCE JAN. 2011, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH ON 1/10/11 COST $147.50, 2/16/2012, COST $220.39, ALTERNATOR ASSEMBLY, COST $588.28 (MECHANIC THOUGHT IT COULDN'T BE THE SWITCH AGAIN), STARTER ASSEMBLY AGAIN 2/21/14, COST $384.23; RECOMMENDED I REPLACE THE RADIO SINCE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED OUT 3/14/2014, COST $45:IGNITION SWITCH AGAIN ON 8/01/14, COST $110.56. ALSO THIS CAR KEEPS HAVING THE LEFT REAR TAILLIGHTS FAIL. THEY TELL ME THIS IS ALL PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORT WHICH THEY GUESS IS CAUSING ALL OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS. BUT ALL THESE PROBLEMS DIDN'T EXIST UNTIL I MADE THE FIRST REPLACEMENT OF THE ORIGINAL IGNITION SWITCH. I BELIEVE THAT THE AFTERMARKET WAS FULL OF FAULTY GM IGNITION SWITCHES AND THERE WAS NO WAY FOR MY MECHANIC TO TELL IF WE WERE GETTING BAD GM DESIGNED SWITCHES. LUCKILY FOR ME AND MY PASSENGERS MY CAR DIDN'T FAIL WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT ALWAYS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED. BUT HAVING 95 YEAR OLD PASSENGERS, ON HOT FLORIDA DAYS, GET INTO A CAR THAT WON'T START, CANNOT BE COOLED DOWN, CANNOT EVEN ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS SINCE THEY ARE ELECTRIC , THESE CONDITIONS COULD HAVE KILLED MY ELDERLY FRAGILE PASSENGERS. THERE SHOULD BE SOME WAY OF INSURING THAT ALL THOSE BAD SWITCHES ARE REMOVED FROM THE AFTERMARKET. *TR
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR AS THE THIRD OWNER THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T WORK AND THE HORN WOULDN'T SOUND.AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET,AND FINDING OUT THAT THEY HAD MANY MANY OF THE INTERNAL PASTS CHANGED AND THE MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE REIMBURSED, WE TOOK OUR CAR TO THE DEALER AND TOLD BECAUSE WE WERE THE THIRD OWN…
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WE BOUGHT THIS CAR AS THE THIRD OWNER THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T WORK AND THE HORN WOULDN'T SOUND.AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET,AND FINDING OUT THAT THEY HAD MANY MANY OF THE INTERNAL PASTS CHANGED AND THE MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE REIMBURSED, WE TOOK OUR CAR TO THE DEALER AND TOLD BECAUSE WE WERE THE THIRD OWNER,AND THAT THE MILEAGE WAS HIGH,THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THE CAR WAS NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT,NOR HAS IT BEEN ABUSED. I THINK THAT BECAUSE MY HORN CAN'T WORK IT MAY BE A CONCERN. I ALSO THINK WILE DRIVING MY AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY CAUSING AN INSIDENT.BOTH DODGE INTREPID , AND OTHER DODGES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED BY PAYING 4-TO5 HUNDRED DOLLARS TO THE CONSUMER. I FEEL AS THOUGH THE COST AND REPLACEMENT OF THE PART SHOULD GO BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER AS IT IS AN INTERNAL PART IN THE STEERING THAT BREAKS WITH OUT WARNING AND WITHOUT ANY CAUSE FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES I.E.ACCEDENTSOR OTHER. BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE CONTACTED YOU, THE MANUFACTURER DECIDED IT WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH TO BE CONSIDERED OR ISSUE A RECALL.
WE BOUGHT A 2002 USED IN 2005. IT RAN OKAY, THOUGHE H THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN IDLING. WE WERE ASSURED BY THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM THAT IT WAS JUST SENSOR AND NOT TO WORRY. HAD SOME SMALL PROBLEMS WITH IT, NOTHING TOO MAJOR. THEY JUST SEEMED TO HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. THEN IN 3/09 THE ALTERNAT…
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WE BOUGHT A 2002 USED IN 2005. IT RAN OKAY, THOUGHE H THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN IDLING. WE WERE ASSURED BY THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM THAT IT WAS JUST SENSOR AND NOT TO WORRY. HAD SOME SMALL PROBLEMS WITH IT, NOTHING TOO MAJOR. THEY JUST SEEMED TO HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. THEN IN 3/09 THE ALTERNATOR AND WATER PUMP WENT OUT FOR THE 2ND TIME, AND EVEN AFTER REPAIR THE CAR WOULD OVER HEAT OUT OF NO WHERE AND WITHOUT WARNING. CONTINUED TO HAVE THE PROBLEMS WITH THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT. SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN RID OF IT THEN, BUT DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR A NEW CAR. THEN IN 11/09 THE CAR DID THE OVERHEAT FOR NO REASON WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS GOING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THANK GOD THERE WASN'T AN ACCIDENT. THE GAUGES DIDN'T INDICATE ANYTHING, ALL OF THEM INCLUDING THE SPEDOMETER WENT TO 0. IT STARTED GUSHING WATER AND ANTIFREEZE. THE ENGINE IS SHOT, IT IS NOW A GOLD LAWN ORNAMENT. WE MAINTAINED THE CAR, OIL CHANGES EVERY 3000MI ETC. WAS TOLD ITS DUE TO "SLUDGE" IN THE ENGINE AND THAT ITS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGES 2.7 ENGINES. WISH I WOULD'VE KNOWN THIS BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR, AND I WISH SOMEONE WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE TON YARD ORNAMENT I NOW HAVE.
BOUGHT A DODGE INTREPID THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IT'S AN 2.7 V.6 .... THE CAR STALLS , THE LIGHT FLICKERS ON AN OFF AS WELL AS MY RADIO!! MY SENSOR ARE FAULTY BECAUSE IT GIVE MY CAR FAULTY READING TO THE WRONG ERRS NOT ONLY, THAT I HAVE HAD BUILD UP IN BOTH ENGINES GRIME AND BROKEN DOWN PARTICLES! MY SPEED IS OFF SOM…
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BOUGHT A DODGE INTREPID THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IT'S AN 2.7 V.6 .... THE CAR STALLS , THE LIGHT FLICKERS ON AN OFF AS WELL AS MY RADIO!! MY SENSOR ARE FAULTY BECAUSE IT GIVE MY CAR FAULTY READING TO THE WRONG ERRS NOT ONLY, THAT I HAVE HAD BUILD UP IN BOTH ENGINES GRIME AND BROKEN DOWN PARTICLES! MY SPEED IS OFF SOMETIME MY CAR PICKS UP SPEED BY IT SELF OR IT DON'T GAIN SPEED AT ALL! THE CAR ALSO LOSES POWER FOR NO REASON AT ALL! DRAIN MY BATTERY FOUR TIMES! OVER HEAT WITHOUT WARNING! HAD MY THERMOSTAT REPLACE TWICE!!! TO MANY PROBLEM KEEP OCCURRING AND I CAN KEEP UP WITH ANY OF THIS!! TEXAS DMV TOLD ME ABOUT THIS SITE TOLD ME ABOUT THAT THESE CARS ARE NOT ANY GOOD!! PLEASE HELP WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS CAR? *TR
THE INTREPID HAS HAD TO SERVICED ABOUT EVERY 3 MONTHS. FIRST IT WAS THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO THE 02 SENSOR GOING OUT. THEN IT WAS THE FAN THAT BELT BROKE ON THE CAR. THEN IT WAS THE TIRES THE WOULD WEAR THE TREAD REALLY EASILY. THEN IT WAS THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE IT BROKE ON THE INSIDE. THE IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION THAT …
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THE INTREPID HAS HAD TO SERVICED ABOUT EVERY 3 MONTHS. FIRST IT WAS THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO THE 02 SENSOR GOING OUT. THEN IT WAS THE FAN THAT BELT BROKE ON THE CAR. THEN IT WAS THE TIRES THE WOULD WEAR THE TREAD REALLY EASILY. THEN IT WAS THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE IT BROKE ON THE INSIDE. THE IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION THAT STARTED SKIPPING GEARS THEN IT WOULD MAKE THE RPM'S GO UP. NOW THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT. WE HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR TWO YEARS AND WE HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF IT. *TR
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 R…
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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
IMMEDIATE LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER..CAR WENT DEAD AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO SMOKE AND WITHIN SECONDS THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS UP IN FLAMES. VEHICLE DID NOT OVERHEAT.. ENGINE COMPARTMENT SUFFERED MAJOR FIRE DAMAGE,INSURANCE COMPANY INVESTIGATION STILL PENDING. *JB
WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING CAR TO STORE ON 2 JUNE 2006, INTREPID ENGINE SHUTTERED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SHUTTERING STOPPED AND ENGINE RUNS SMOOTH BUT LIGHT IS STILL ILLUMINATED. MAR 2006 ENGINE OIL CHANGE WAS ACCOMPLISHED ALONG WITH A ENGINE FLUSH BY ED'S TIRE SERVICE, FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA. JULY 2005 CAR FAI…
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WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING CAR TO STORE ON 2 JUNE 2006, INTREPID ENGINE SHUTTERED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SHUTTERING STOPPED AND ENGINE RUNS SMOOTH BUT LIGHT IS STILL ILLUMINATED. MAR 2006 ENGINE OIL CHANGE WAS ACCOMPLISHED ALONG WITH A ENGINE FLUSH BY ED'S TIRE SERVICE, FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA. JULY 2005 CAR FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE OF A BAD BATTERY, WHICH WAS DIFFICULT TO REPLACE. BETWEEN 2002-2004 FRONT ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, ONCE BY THE DODGE DEALERSHIP FOR $150.00 THEN ONCE BY ME FOR $60.00. THIS SLUDGE BUILDUP PROBLEM THAT DODGE REFUSES TO FIX IS BECOMING STUPID! THEY ARE MAKING THE MONEY OFF OF US, THEY TO AT LEAST OWN UP TO THEIR DESIGN FLAW AND FIX THE PROBLEM. DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO GET SLUDGE OUT OF THE ENGINE OTHER THAN TEARING IT DOWN? *NM
WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER, WHILE PULLING OFF THE ROAD THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY. THE CAR WOULD NOT RE-START AGAIN. MECHANIC DESCRIBED AS LOWER END FAILURE. *NM
Official recalls
103V035000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
Feb 5, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE03010 · Throttle Control Failure
Opened Feb 27, 2003 · Closed Sep 2, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal; Vehicle Speed Control:cables; Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Vehicle Speed Control:cables
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Vehicle Speed Control
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
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