IllustrationWHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
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
240–25K
3925–50K
6850–75K
6575–100K
54100–150K
10150K+
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.
11 crash reports9 fire reports8 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
207 reportsWHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ENGINE NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
WHEN YOU FIRST START DRIVING THE CAR, IT WINLL NOT ACCELERATE NO HIGHER THEN 40-50 MPH. IT WOULD JERK OR FEEL LIKE IT WAS POPPING OR ABOUT TO STALL. THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO NO GEARS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE NOT TO GO OVER 5 MPH. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
MY 2002 INTREPID STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY LESS THAN A YEAR FROM THE PURCHASE DATE. I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY DOING APPROXIMATELY 60MPH, WHEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED RUNNING, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON...LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY SAFELY. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO SLUDGE, H…
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MY 2002 INTREPID STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY LESS THAN A YEAR FROM THE PURCHASE DATE. I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY DOING APPROXIMATELY 60MPH, WHEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED RUNNING, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON...LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY SAFELY. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO SLUDGE, HOWEVER, THE OIL WAS CHANGED AS SCHEDULED. THE ESTIMATED BILL WAS $5,000. AFTER INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS WEBSITES DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUES, WITH CONSUMERS TELLING THE EXACT SAME STORY THAT I HAD. IT APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE 2.7 LITER ENGINE IN THE INTREPID AND ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO COMMENTED WERE ACCUSED OF NON MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF SLUDGE. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO TAKE THE BLAME. I AM STILL LOOKING INTO WHETHER OR NOT MY VEHICLE IS COVERED UNDER THE LEMON LAW, IT HAS LESS THAN 18,000 MILES SINCE PURCHASE AND HAS BEEN 1 YEAR SINCE PURCHASE. *LA
I HAVE A 2002 DODGE INTREPID I PURCHASED NEW AT GANLEY DODGE OF BEDFORD. THE CAR'S ENGINE FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AT ONLY 18 MONTHS OF USAGE. THE CAR CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO AVAIL ON THE REPAIR. I AM TOLD I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS ISSUE BASED ON WEB ARTICLES AND MESSAGE BOARDS. HELP!! BEFORE SOMEO…
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I HAVE A 2002 DODGE INTREPID I PURCHASED NEW AT GANLEY DODGE OF BEDFORD. THE CAR'S ENGINE FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AT ONLY 18 MONTHS OF USAGE. THE CAR CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO AVAIL ON THE REPAIR. I AM TOLD I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS ISSUE BASED ON WEB ARTICLES AND MESSAGE BOARDS. HELP!! BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR BADLY INJURED BY THIS PRODUCT. *LA
THE DEXCO ANTI-FREEZE THAT WAS PUT IN THE VEHICLE BT THE MANUFACTURER, IS DRYING OUT AND CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED FLUSHING AND THE INTAKE GASKETS NEEDED REPLACING. *NLM
VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND WAS TOWED TO A DEALER.TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT ENGINE LOCKED, AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE DUE TO SLUDGE. *AK
PROBLEMS BRAKE ROTORS AND ODOMETER ON 2002 DODGE INTREPID ES.*MR THE VEHICLE MADE AN UNUSUAL NOISE AND THEN SHUT DOWN. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE START-UP ALARM SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REGULATED. THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIRS BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. A FEW DAYS LATER THE NOISES CONTINUED, THE ODOMETER STOPPED AND…
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PROBLEMS BRAKE ROTORS AND ODOMETER ON 2002 DODGE INTREPID ES.*MR THE VEHICLE MADE AN UNUSUAL NOISE AND THEN SHUT DOWN. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE START-UP ALARM SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REGULATED. THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIRS BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. A FEW DAYS LATER THE NOISES CONTINUED, THE ODOMETER STOPPED AND THE VEHICLE DIDN'T INDICATE WHAT GEAR IT WAS IN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER LATER LEARNED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS ON ALL FOUR WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE SALES DEALER WHO WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. AFTER CONTACTING CHRYSLER, SHE WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CONSUMER DOESN'T THINK THE ROTORS SHOULD HAVE FAILED WITHIN FOUR MONTHS OR OWNERSHIP. *PH *NLM
WE HAVE A 2002 DODGE INTREPID, WE HAVE REPLACED 2 FUSES FOR THE A/C AND NOW THEY SAID IT IS THE FAN. THE A/C MAN TOLD US THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CARAVANS AND THE STRATUS. I FEEL THAT THE INTREPID SHOULD BE ADDED. THIS IS THE SECOND VEHICLE WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH. WE HAD A PLYMOUTH VOYAGER AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. …
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WE HAVE A 2002 DODGE INTREPID, WE HAVE REPLACED 2 FUSES FOR THE A/C AND NOW THEY SAID IT IS THE FAN. THE A/C MAN TOLD US THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CARAVANS AND THE STRATUS. I FEEL THAT THE INTREPID SHOULD BE ADDED. THIS IS THE SECOND VEHICLE WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH. WE HAD A PLYMOUTH VOYAGER AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I FEEL THAT YOU SHOULD CHECK THESE VEHICLES CONCERNING THIS.*AK
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.