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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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78,000 miles · Jul 26, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE INTREPID WITH A 2.7-LITER ENGINE IN JULY OF 2005 FROM HOLLEY DODGE IN MIDDLETOWN, CT FOR $9,500. THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME HAD 48,000 MILES ON IT. IN JULY OF 2007 (AT 78,000 MILES) I EXPERIENCED ENGINE PROBLEMS AND, AFTER BRINGING IT BACK TO HOLLEY DODGE FOR SERVICE, WAS TOLD THE ENGINE HAD LOW COMPRESS…

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I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE INTREPID WITH A 2.7-LITER ENGINE IN JULY OF 2005 FROM HOLLEY DODGE IN MIDDLETOWN, CT FOR $9,500. THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME HAD 48,000 MILES ON IT. IN JULY OF 2007 (AT 78,000 MILES) I EXPERIENCED ENGINE PROBLEMS AND, AFTER BRINGING IT BACK TO HOLLEY DODGE FOR SERVICE, WAS TOLD THE ENGINE HAD LOW COMPRESSION AND WAS OFFERED REPAIR OPTIONS OF: 1) TEARING DOWN THE MOTOR WHICH WOULD COST AT LEAST $2,500 DEPENDING UPON WHAT IS FOUND; 2) A REBUILT MOTOR FOR $3,500+; OR 3) A NEW MOTOR FOR $4,500+. THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE COST (36,000 MILES/3 YEARS). I HAD MAINTAIN THE CARE CAREFULLY, CHANGING THE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILE WHICH IS MORE FREQUENT THAN RECOMMENDED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS MATTER, I DISCOVERED A VAST AMOUNT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES AS WELL AS NUMEROUS WEB SITES DEVOTED TO THIS 2.7-LITER DAIMLERCHRYSLER ENGINE PROBLEM. EXPERTS BELIEVE THE ENGINE PROBLEMS MAY BE DUE TO ENGINE DEFECTS OR OIL SLUDGE BUILD-UP THAT IS COMMON IN 2.7L VEHICLES. I HAVE READ THAT THE CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY HAS RECEIVED FIVE TIMES MORE OIL SLUDGE COMPLAINTS ON CHRYSLER 2.7L VEHICLES THAN OTHER VEHICLES. APPARENTLY THESE COMPLAINTS INVOLVE QUITE A FEW DODGE AND CHRYSLER VEHICLES FROM 1998 TO PRESENT. I BELIEVE CHRYSLER IS VIOLATING CONSUMER RIGHTS UNDER LEMON LAWS OR OTHER CONSUMER-PROTECTION LAWS. CAN YOU ADVISE ME? THANKS, MIKE VENESKI *TR

NHTSA ODI #10197576

73,000 miles · Jul 16, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD DRAGGING SOUND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE SENSOR LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT DID NOT TRY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD DRAGGING SOUND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE SENSOR LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT DID NOT TRY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 73,000. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED UPON INSPECTION THERE WAS ANTI-FREEZE WITHIN THE OIL CHAMBER. UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10196476

105,000 miles · Jul 16, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

2002 DODGE INTREPID WITH 2.7 V6 ENGINE STALLED AT STOP LIGHT, WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ABOUT 2 MILES TO AUTO REPAIR (NO MORE THAT 20 MPH) ADVISED HAD TO TEAR DOWN ENGINE TO SEE WHAT PROBLEM WAS...ADVISED TIMING CHAIN AND WATER PUMP PAID $1000 FOR REPAIRS, 3 MONTHS LATER ENGINE MAKING LOUD NOISE WHEN STARTS... BACK TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP, …

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2002 DODGE INTREPID WITH 2.7 V6 ENGINE STALLED AT STOP LIGHT, WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ABOUT 2 MILES TO AUTO REPAIR (NO MORE THAT 20 MPH) ADVISED HAD TO TEAR DOWN ENGINE TO SEE WHAT PROBLEM WAS...ADVISED TIMING CHAIN AND WATER PUMP PAID $1000 FOR REPAIRS, 3 MONTHS LATER ENGINE MAKING LOUD NOISE WHEN STARTS... BACK TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP, ADVISING ENGINE SHOT, HAS TO BE REBUILT APPROX COST $2500 TO $3500 .. UNBELIEVABLE FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10196428

12,000 miles · Jun 20, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND SMOKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD JUST TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND WILL COST $6,800 TO REPLACE. THE VIN WAS …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND SMOKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD JUST TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND WILL COST $6,800 TO REPLACE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 12,000.

NHTSA ODI #10193825

90,000 miles · Jun 19, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE BLEW UP AFTER 70,000 DUE TO ENGINE SLUDGE BUILD UP. HAD THE ENGINE REBUILT COSTING ME THOUSANDS AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN WITHIN 10,000 MILES. COST ME THOUSANDS AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10193673

110,000 miles · Jun 8, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

AS I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL MY CAR LOST POWER AND STARTED TO SMOKE. AS I PULLED OFF THE ROAD THE ENGINE QUIT, AND A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD.

NHTSA ODI #10192816

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

THERMOSTAT HOUSING POPPED OFF WHEN DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY THIS PART IS GLUED ON I HAVE SEEN OTHER CARS AND REPORTS OF THIS SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHERS, THIS PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN BOLTED NOT GLUED, SINCE THEN HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10191655

72,563 miles · May 9, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. ON APRIL 23, 2007, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING SOUND AND SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BEARINGS ON THE VEHICLE FAILED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72,563.

NHTSA ODI #10190307

147,000 miles · May 8, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT GOOD. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 147,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LEAKS WHEN ADDING ANTIFREEZE. UPDATED 06/08/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10190207

1,113 miles · May 3, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. HOWEVER, THE NUMBER HE DIALED WAS DISCONNECTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE, POWER TRAIN INFORMATION, AND PLACE OF PURCHASE WAS UNAVAILAB…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. HOWEVER, THE NUMBER HE DIALED WAS DISCONNECTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE, POWER TRAIN INFORMATION, AND PLACE OF PURCHASE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,113. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10189688

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.