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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 →

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.

11 crash reports9 fire reports8 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

207 reports
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77,000 miles · Mar 20, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS NO HEAT COMING OUT OF THE HEATING UNIT. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT THE DEALERS THEY WANT $900.00 JUST TO TAKE THE ENGINE APART. IF IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE IT WOULD COST $8,000. SINCE WE STILL OWE $6000 THI…

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WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS NO HEAT COMING OUT OF THE HEATING UNIT. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT THE DEALERS THEY WANT $900.00 JUST TO TAKE THE ENGINE APART. IF IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE IT WOULD COST $8,000. SINCE WE STILL OWE $6000 THIS IS NOT A PRACTICAL SOLUTION. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 77,000 MILES ON IT. I CALLED DAIMLER CHRYSLER THIS MORNING AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP ME. THEY STATED THE ENGINE IS ONLY WARRANTED UP TO 36,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10221855

116,000 miles · Mar 13, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD AND FAST CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HE ARRIVED HOME AND CALLED HIS MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ARRIVED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED, WHICH WAS A VERY COMMON FAILURE WITH THAT MAKE AND MODEL VEH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD AND FAST CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HE ARRIVED HOME AND CALLED HIS MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ARRIVED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED, WHICH WAS A VERY COMMON FAILURE WITH THAT MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 116,000.

NHTSA ODI #10221051

97,000 miles · Mar 6, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2002 DODGE INTREPID AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I STRUGGLED TO KEEP THE CAR IN CONTROL UNTIL I COULD PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT WAS DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF LOSS OF STEERING. THE LIGHT HAD COME ON MANY TIMES BEFORE BUT THE SERVICE DEPT AT MY DODGE DEALER COULD NOT EXPLAIN IT.…

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WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2002 DODGE INTREPID AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I STRUGGLED TO KEEP THE CAR IN CONTROL UNTIL I COULD PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT WAS DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF LOSS OF STEERING. THE LIGHT HAD COME ON MANY TIMES BEFORE BUT THE SERVICE DEPT AT MY DODGE DEALER COULD NOT EXPLAIN IT. NOW THEY SAY WE NEED A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE OF LACK OF OIL CHANGES. I JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGED THERE AND THEY DID NOT MENTION SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10220235

95,054 miles · Mar 5, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

IMPENDING FAILURE OF 2.7L ENGINE INSTALLED IN 2002 DODGE INTREPID. ACCORDING TO A MECHANIC A BEARING(S) LOSES ITS PLATING AND CAUSES METAL FLAKES TO BLOCK OIL GALLERIES LEADING TO OIL STARVATION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE. THIS COULD LEAD TO A MVA IF THE FAILURE OCCURS IN TRAFFIC. MINE IS STARTING TO FAIL AND ACCORDIN…

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IMPENDING FAILURE OF 2.7L ENGINE INSTALLED IN 2002 DODGE INTREPID. ACCORDING TO A MECHANIC A BEARING(S) LOSES ITS PLATING AND CAUSES METAL FLAKES TO BLOCK OIL GALLERIES LEADING TO OIL STARVATION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE. THIS COULD LEAD TO A MVA IF THE FAILURE OCCURS IN TRAFFIC. MINE IS STARTING TO FAIL AND ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH INTREPIDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10220135

90,000 miles · Feb 20, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 149,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10218644

99,134 miles · Feb 10, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND NOTICED THERE WAS NOT HEAT. THE FAN WAS BLOWING, BUT THE AIR WAS NOT WARM. THE DAY BEFORE, THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED MY HUSBAND IMMEDIATELY. I ASKED ME IF THERE WERE ANY NOISES, SMOKE, STRANGE SMELLS, AND IF THE TEMPERATURE WAS FINE. I SAID NO TO ALL AND THAT THE TEMPERATURE…

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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND NOTICED THERE WAS NOT HEAT. THE FAN WAS BLOWING, BUT THE AIR WAS NOT WARM. THE DAY BEFORE, THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED MY HUSBAND IMMEDIATELY. I ASKED ME IF THERE WERE ANY NOISES, SMOKE, STRANGE SMELLS, AND IF THE TEMPERATURE WAS FINE. I SAID NO TO ALL AND THAT THE TEMPERATURE WAS FINE. HE SAID TO DRIVE A LITTLE FURTHER AND SEE. I DROVE NOT EVEN 1/2 MILE DOWN THE ROAD (MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE) AND NOTICED SMOKE. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED MY HUSBAND AGAIN. HE ASKED ME IF THERE WAS ANY WATER COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST, NO THERE WAS NOT. HE ASKED ME TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD AND CHECK THE WATER/ANTIFREEZE RESERVOIR. THE RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. HE CAME OUT IMMEDIATELY AND BY THE TIME HE GOT THERE, THE MOTOR WAS ALL COOLED DOWN. HE PUT 2 GALLONS OF WATER IN THE RESERVOIR, WHICH SEEMED TO DISAPPEAR. HE CHECKED THE OIL, AND THERE WAS WATER IN IT. THERE WAS NOT WARNING! I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR WELL AND HAVE HAD 90% OF ALL MY WORK DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT. I HAVE DONE ALL THE RECOMMENDED WORK WHEN THEY HAVE WORKED ON MY CAR. I EVEN HAD THE RADIATOR FLUSHED, TRANSMISSION FLUSHED, AND THE SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED BECAUSE THEY SAID IT NEEDED IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10217550

132,000 miles · Jan 24, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

DRIVING AROUND DOING ERRANDS, HEADING TO THE NEXT TOWN (15 MILES) TO FINISH MY ERRANDS AND MY ENGINE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. I TURNED AROUND AND WENT TO THE SERVICE STATION THAT WAS ONLY ABOUT 1/2 MILE AWAY AND HAD THEM LOOK AT THE CAR. I HAD NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH IT OVERHEATING. IT ENDED UP BEING A CRACKED BLOCK. I NEEDED TO…

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DRIVING AROUND DOING ERRANDS, HEADING TO THE NEXT TOWN (15 MILES) TO FINISH MY ERRANDS AND MY ENGINE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. I TURNED AROUND AND WENT TO THE SERVICE STATION THAT WAS ONLY ABOUT 1/2 MILE AWAY AND HAD THEM LOOK AT THE CAR. I HAD NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH IT OVERHEATING. IT ENDED UP BEING A CRACKED BLOCK. I NEEDED TO GET A DIFFERENT ENGINE BECAUSE IT WAS TO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR THE ORIGINAL ONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215952

70,000 miles · Dec 11, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

FIRST WAS A FUNNY CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE CAR STARTED. IT STARTED TO GET WORSE VERY QUICKLY AND I HAD IT LOOKED AT. THE PROBLEM COULDN'T BE FOUND AT THAT TIME. SHORTLY THERE AFTER IT BROKE DOWN. THIS TIME I AM TOLD THAT THE ENGINE HAS A SLUDGE BUILD UP PROBLEM WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN TO BREAK. NOW I'M TOLD THAT THE…

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FIRST WAS A FUNNY CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE CAR STARTED. IT STARTED TO GET WORSE VERY QUICKLY AND I HAD IT LOOKED AT. THE PROBLEM COULDN'T BE FOUND AT THAT TIME. SHORTLY THERE AFTER IT BROKE DOWN. THIS TIME I AM TOLD THAT THE ENGINE HAS A SLUDGE BUILD UP PROBLEM WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN TO BREAK. NOW I'M TOLD THAT THE BEST THING TO DO IS SPEND BETWEEN $4,500 AND $5,000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. IT HASN'T BEEN REPAIRED YET (12-11-2007). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211496

94,045 miles · Dec 10, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

I BOUGHT A 2002 DODGE INTREPID IN JULY OF 2007. 10,000 MILES LATER ON DECEMBER 5TH, 2007 MY CAR BREAKS DOWN AND MY OIL AND ENGINE LIGHT TURN ON. I HAD MY OIL CHANGED AS SCHEDULED SO I KNOW ITS NOT MY FAULT. I FEW DAYS LATER I GET MY CAR LOOKED AT BY A PROFESSIONAL AND HE BEGINS TO EXPLAIN TO ME THAT ITS MY TIMING CHAIN, HYDRAUL…

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I BOUGHT A 2002 DODGE INTREPID IN JULY OF 2007. 10,000 MILES LATER ON DECEMBER 5TH, 2007 MY CAR BREAKS DOWN AND MY OIL AND ENGINE LIGHT TURN ON. I HAD MY OIL CHANGED AS SCHEDULED SO I KNOW ITS NOT MY FAULT. I FEW DAYS LATER I GET MY CAR LOOKED AT BY A PROFESSIONAL AND HE BEGINS TO EXPLAIN TO ME THAT ITS MY TIMING CHAIN, HYDRAULIC TENSIONER. IN OTHER WORDS, I'M REQUIRED TO BUY ANOTHER ENGINE OR GET MINE FIXED. BOTH MY OPTIONS SEEM A LITTLE UNFAIR AND PRICEY. IM ALSO TOLD THAT CHRYSLER WAS THE ORIGINAL CREATOR OF THE 2.7 LITER ENGINE FOUND IN MY 2002 DODGE INTREPID MODEL. THROUGH FURTHER INVESTIGATING I'VE FOUND NUMEROUS WEBSITES DEALING WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS. AM I REALLY EXPECTED TO PAY 5,000$ ON A NEW ENGINE FOR SOMETHING THAT'S NOT MY FAULT? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211386

53,000 miles · Nov 20, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

2002 DODGE INTREPID ENGINE FAILURE FROM OIL SLUDGE. DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE CAR STARTED MAKING KNOCKING SOUND AND STARTED BOGGING OUT. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO SAID THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WILL COST $6100.00. CHRYSLER SAID THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY A $2500.00 DEDUCTIBLE SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. …

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2002 DODGE INTREPID ENGINE FAILURE FROM OIL SLUDGE. DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE CAR STARTED MAKING KNOCKING SOUND AND STARTED BOGGING OUT. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO SAID THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WILL COST $6100.00. CHRYSLER SAID THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY A $2500.00 DEDUCTIBLE SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2003 WITH 19,000 MILES ON IT FROM A DEALER AND THE CAR NOW ONLY HAS 53,000 MILES ON IT. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS. THERE IS HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE MAKE THEM ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS 2.7L ENGINE. TOYOTA DID WITH LESS COMPLAINTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209511

Official recalls

1

03V035000 · 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

1

PE03010 · 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.