IllustrationENGINE JUST DIED. ESTIMATES TO REPLACE/REPAIR START AT $4500, JUST FOR THE ENGINE, NOT INCLUDING LABOR! I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE 2ND REBUILT TRANSMISSION PUT IN ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. *TR
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 reportsSTOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, ENGINE FAILED WITH NO WARNING. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. IT HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE TO CHANGE THE OIL ON A REGULAR BASIS. DUE TO OIL SLUDGE THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT NOW NEEDS A NEW ENGINE AT A COST OF $4,000. I STILL OWE $3,000 ON THE CAR. IT IS NOT WORTH IT TO FIX IT. THIS CAR IS KNOWN FOR ENGINE FAILURE AT …
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I HAVE A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. IT HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE TO CHANGE THE OIL ON A REGULAR BASIS. DUE TO OIL SLUDGE THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT NOW NEEDS A NEW ENGINE AT A COST OF $4,000. I STILL OWE $3,000 ON THE CAR. IT IS NOT WORTH IT TO FIX IT. THIS CAR IS KNOWN FOR ENGINE FAILURE AT 80-90K MILES. I ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
ENGINE & OIL LIGHT REPEATEDLY CAME ON. IDLED LOW AND WOULD CUT OFF. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND CAR JUST CUT OFF WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW. CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME AND MAN HAD ROAD RAGE. LUCKILY THE CAR RESTARTED AND GOT ME INTO MY APT COMPLEX WHERE IT CUT OFF FOR THE LAST TIME. I HAD COMPLETED OIL CHANGES AS RECO…
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ENGINE & OIL LIGHT REPEATEDLY CAME ON. IDLED LOW AND WOULD CUT OFF. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND CAR JUST CUT OFF WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW. CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME AND MAN HAD ROAD RAGE. LUCKILY THE CAR RESTARTED AND GOT ME INTO MY APT COMPLEX WHERE IT CUT OFF FOR THE LAST TIME. I HAD COMPLETED OIL CHANGES AS RECOMMENDED AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AS STATED PER GUY THAT ATTEMPTED TO LOOK AT THE CAR. NOW I NEED A MOTOR ON A CAR THAT IS BARELY WORTH THE VALUE OF THE CAR. THERE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT OR DEATH, BUT THIS IS TOO COMMON A PROBLEM FOR DODGE TO IGNORE. *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
BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2007 AND 3 WEEKS AFTER HAVING THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT HAD TO GET IT REPLACE $400 WITH A EXTENDED WARRANTY, A YEAR LATER RADIATOR WENT OUT HAD TO PAY $768 , JUST PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE 2.7 LITER 2002 DODGE INTREPID , NOW THEIRS ANOTHER LEAK OF THE ANTIFREEZE. *TR
2002 DODGE INTREPID WITH 2.7 ENGINE. ENGINE FAILED DUE TO OIL SLUDGE AS 16YR OLD DRIVER CAME TO STOP SIGN AT A MAJOR HIGHWAY. COST TO REPLACE WAS 5200.00. *TR
A/C EVAPORATOR, AC RECEIVER DRYER, HEATER CORE HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR MY 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 64,000 MILES ON IT. THE REPAIR WAS EXTENSIVE AS THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASH BOARD HAD TO BE PULLED OUT. HOURS OF LABOR APPRX= 8. THIS WAS A PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN # 2400204A. APPARENTLY…
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A/C EVAPORATOR, AC RECEIVER DRYER, HEATER CORE HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR MY 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 64,000 MILES ON IT. THE REPAIR WAS EXTENSIVE AS THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASH BOARD HAD TO BE PULLED OUT. HOURS OF LABOR APPRX= 8. THIS WAS A PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN # 2400204A. APPARENTLY THIS PART HAS A HISTORY OF FAILURE. COST OF REPAIR WAS 897.00. THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS REPAIR IS BECAUSE THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING. I REALLY THOUGHT WE SHOULD OF BEEN REIMBURSED BY CHRYSLER FOR THIS REPAIR AS IT WAS SO EXTENSIVE, AND THERE WAS SO MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO THIS PART. I RESEARCHED SILENT WARRANTIES ON THIS PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT REALLY TURN UP ANYTHING TO HELP. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND DOWNSHIFTED INTO THIRD GEAR. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE HESITATED AND LOST POWER COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. HE WAITED TWO HOURS BEFORE THE VEHICLE MANAGED TO RESTART AND THEN DROVE IT TO A MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE HESITATED AND LOST POWER COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. HE WAITED TWO HOURS BEFORE THE VEHICLE MANAGED TO RESTART AND THEN DROVE IT TO A MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE OIL RESERVOIR WAS FULL OF COOLANT AND ANTIFREEZE, WHICH WAS COMMON FOR HIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER SHOP AND WAS INFORMED OF THE SAME THING, INCLUDING THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,000. UPDATED 6/01/09 *CN UPDATED 06/02/09.*JB
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.