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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 →
329Owner complaints

Model-year median: 377

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
997
19991,065
2000656
2001329
2002106
2003129
2004
Compare all Intrepid years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
207Power Train
60Service Brakes, Hydraulic
16Electrical System
15Steering
15
All reported categories
Air Bags
10Suspension
10Equipment
7Seats
6Vehicle Speed Control
6Visibility
6Engine
5Exterior Lighting
4Fuel System, Gasoline
4Latches/locks/linkages
4Seat Belts
4Structure
4Tires
4Fuel System, Other
2Fuel/propulsion System
2Interior Lighting
2Unknown Or Other
2Wheels
2Child Seat
1Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1

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.

11 crash reports9 fire reports8 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

207 reports
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65,800 miles · Nov 4, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE GETTING AN OIL CHANGE AND HAVING THE WATER PUMP REPLACED, MY MECHANIC FOUND OIL SLUDGE UNDER THE VALVE COVERS. HE SAID THIS IS VERY COMMON IN THE CHRYSLER 2.7L ENGINES. HE CLEANED IT OUT AS BEST HE COULD WITH SOLVENT AND RAGS. THE COST WAS OVER $200.00 FOR JUST THE CLEANUP, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MORE SLUDGE IS IN…

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WHILE GETTING AN OIL CHANGE AND HAVING THE WATER PUMP REPLACED, MY MECHANIC FOUND OIL SLUDGE UNDER THE VALVE COVERS. HE SAID THIS IS VERY COMMON IN THE CHRYSLER 2.7L ENGINES. HE CLEANED IT OUT AS BEST HE COULD WITH SOLVENT AND RAGS. THE COST WAS OVER $200.00 FOR JUST THE CLEANUP, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MORE SLUDGE IS IN THE LOWER PART OF THE ENGINE. ENGINE FAILURE COULD BE COMING SOON. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10207860

95,000 miles · Oct 18, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO FORE WARNING, ON A WELL MAINTAINED 2002 DODGE INTREPID THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE ENTERING A HIGHWAY AND WAS VERY ENDANGERING, I AM STIL AWAITING MY PART BECAUSE I LOVE MY CRAPPY CAR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10206273

90,000 miles · Oct 17, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

OIL LIGHT FLICKERED ONCE ON OCTOBER 16, 2007, TOOK IT TO FLEET AUTO SERVICE IN COVINGTON KY, THEY CHECKED AND ADVISED ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED, JASPER ENGINES ADVISED THIS 2.7L ENGINE HAS A BAD HISTORY OF THE OIL RETURN LINE BEING BLOCKED BY SLUDGE DUE TO POOR DESIGN AND HEAT, THE CAR HAS HAD ROUTINE OIL CHANGES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10206027

75,500 miles · Oct 15, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

DODGE INTREPID 2002 ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS DISABLE AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO VISIT MY SON WHICH I HAD NOT SEE FOR OVER 5 MONTH. I NEED SOME BODY HELP. STUCK WITH A CAR THAT DOES NOT WORK. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10205794

112,000 miles · Oct 15, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WE HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH OUR DODGE INTREPID LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE. FIRST, THE ENGINE STARTING STALLING, WE WOULD HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T SHIFT FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER. THEN THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE COOLANT PIPE SO WE HAD TO REPLACE THAT. MY BOYFRIEND THEN DROVE THE CAR FOR FEW HOURS…

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WE HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH OUR DODGE INTREPID LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE. FIRST, THE ENGINE STARTING STALLING, WE WOULD HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T SHIFT FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER. THEN THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE COOLANT PIPE SO WE HAD TO REPLACE THAT. MY BOYFRIEND THEN DROVE THE CAR FOR FEW HOURS STRAIGHT TO GO VISIT HIS FAMILY. HE COULDN'T GET THE CAR STARTED TO COME HOME. FINALLY HE GOT IT STARTED AND STARTED DRIVING HOME. IT DIED ON THE WAY HOME AND HASN'T BEEN RUNNING SINCE. WE HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR BECAUSE IT COSTS SO MUCH TO GET IT REPAIRED AND WE CAN'T SELL IT BECAUSE WE WOULD HARDLY GET ANYTHING FOR IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10205709

111,000 miles · Oct 1, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY FAMILY AND I WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN OUR 2002 DODGE INTREPID SE 2.7 LITER THE ENGINE FAILED WITH NO WARNING AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH HAVE FOUND THAT CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM YET HAS DONE NOTHING AND WILL DO NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. THIS IS UNFORTUNATE AS THIS PROBLEM PRESENTS REAL DANGER FOR PEOPLE AROUND THESE…

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MY FAMILY AND I WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN OUR 2002 DODGE INTREPID SE 2.7 LITER THE ENGINE FAILED WITH NO WARNING AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH HAVE FOUND THAT CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM YET HAS DONE NOTHING AND WILL DO NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. THIS IS UNFORTUNATE AS THIS PROBLEM PRESENTS REAL DANGER FOR PEOPLE AROUND THESE CARS WHEN THE ENGINE FAILS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10204630

110,000 miles · Oct 1, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT ANY PART IN THE MATTER. THERE ARE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE FOR THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILUR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT ANY PART IN THE MATTER. THERE ARE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE FOR THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10204547

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

AT 60K MILES I HAD TO HAVE A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN, AND JUST 1 WEEK AGO I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY I NEED A NEW ENGINE! IT ONLY HAS 84K MILES ON IT. I DON'T EVEN OWE AS MUCH AS IT WILL COST ME TO FIX THE CAR, I AM VERY UPSET. I HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF MY CAR, AND TO HAVE SO MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH A NEW CAR …

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AT 60K MILES I HAD TO HAVE A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN, AND JUST 1 WEEK AGO I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY I NEED A NEW ENGINE! IT ONLY HAS 84K MILES ON IT. I DON'T EVEN OWE AS MUCH AS IT WILL COST ME TO FIX THE CAR, I AM VERY UPSET. I HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF MY CAR, AND TO HAVE SO MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH A NEW CAR IS VERY DISAPPOINTING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10198907

113,400 miles · Aug 7, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

I BOUGHT THE 2002 DODGE INTREPID NEW AND FROM DAY 1 WE USED SYNTHETIC OIL IN THE VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT WAS THE BEST TREATMENT FOR THE LONGEVITY OF AN ENGINE. MY WIFE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THE CAR AND WE FOLLOWED THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE PROPERLY. SHE WAS WAITING TO TURN INTO OUR COMMUNITY AFT…

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I BOUGHT THE 2002 DODGE INTREPID NEW AND FROM DAY 1 WE USED SYNTHETIC OIL IN THE VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT WAS THE BEST TREATMENT FOR THE LONGEVITY OF AN ENGINE. MY WIFE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THE CAR AND WE FOLLOWED THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE PROPERLY. SHE WAS WAITING TO TURN INTO OUR COMMUNITY AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM WORK , WHEN WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE FAILED. WE NEEDED A MOTOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10198794

52,650 miles · Jul 30, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE COST WOULD BE $7,900. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 51,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10197858

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.