ENGINE FAILURE 2.7L 2002 DODGE INTREPID VEHICLE OWNED OVER 10 YEARS 111K MILES CURRENT ODM, OIL CHANGE WAS NOT DUE AT THE TIME OF ENGINE FAILURE. *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
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.
What owners actually said
329 reportsENGINE FAILURE SLUDGE , ENGINE DESIGN. *TR
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, HE HEARD A POP. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE RACK AND PINION BOLTS HAVE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
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TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, HE HEARD A POP. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE RACK AND PINION BOLTS HAVE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. AP
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR AS THE THIRD OWNER THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T WORK AND THE HORN WOULDN'T SOUND.AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET,AND FINDING OUT THAT THEY HAD MANY MANY OF THE INTERNAL PASTS CHANGED AND THE MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE REIMBURSED, WE TOOK OUR CAR TO THE DEALER AND TOLD BECAUSE WE WERE THE THIRD OWN…
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WE BOUGHT THIS CAR AS THE THIRD OWNER THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T WORK AND THE HORN WOULDN'T SOUND.AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET,AND FINDING OUT THAT THEY HAD MANY MANY OF THE INTERNAL PASTS CHANGED AND THE MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE REIMBURSED, WE TOOK OUR CAR TO THE DEALER AND TOLD BECAUSE WE WERE THE THIRD OWNER,AND THAT THE MILEAGE WAS HIGH,THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THE CAR WAS NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT,NOR HAS IT BEEN ABUSED. I THINK THAT BECAUSE MY HORN CAN'T WORK IT MAY BE A CONCERN. I ALSO THINK WILE DRIVING MY AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY CAUSING AN INSIDENT.BOTH DODGE INTREPID , AND OTHER DODGES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED BY PAYING 4-TO5 HUNDRED DOLLARS TO THE CONSUMER. I FEEL AS THOUGH THE COST AND REPLACEMENT OF THE PART SHOULD GO BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER AS IT IS AN INTERNAL PART IN THE STEERING THAT BREAKS WITH OUT WARNING AND WITHOUT ANY CAUSE FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES I.E.ACCEDENTSOR OTHER. BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE CONTACTED YOU, THE MANUFACTURER DECIDED IT WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH TO BE CONSIDERED OR ISSUE A RECALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH OR LESS, SHE WOULD HEAR A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LOW OIL WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE MOTOR, WHICH NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH OR LESS, SHE WOULD HEAR A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LOW OIL WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE MOTOR, WHICH NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY CLEANING THE SLUDGE OUT OF THE ENGINE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE FUEL AND THE CAM SENSOR COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR BOTH COMPONENTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 129,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. UPDATED 04/02/13*LJ
MY 2002 DODGE INTREPID HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT ROUGHLY FOUR YEARS AGO. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT HAD A REBUILT ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. JUST RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS SHIFTING OUT OF KNOW WHERE. I WAS AT THE STOP LIGHT AND WHEN IT TURNED GREEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS AND IT DID NOT WANT TO GO. I LET UP THE G…
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MY 2002 DODGE INTREPID HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT ROUGHLY FOUR YEARS AGO. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT HAD A REBUILT ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. JUST RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS SHIFTING OUT OF KNOW WHERE. I WAS AT THE STOP LIGHT AND WHEN IT TURNED GREEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS AND IT DID NOT WANT TO GO. I LET UP THE GAS AND IT KICKED IN TO FIRST GEAR. WHEN I AM DRIVING AND GETTING UP TO ABOUT 30-35 MPH IT WOULD GO UP TO 3RPM AND NOT SHIFT. I DO REGULAR OIL CHANGES ON BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE. THIS PROBLEM CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR IS JUST DOING WHATEVER IT WANTS TO. AFTER READING ALL THESE OTHER COMPLAINTS IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO MY PROBLEM. I AM UNDERSTANDING NOW WHY DODGE STOPPED MAKING INTREPID. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND WILL NEVER BUY DODGE AGAIN. *TR
MY PREGNANT WIFE WAS LEAVING A FRIENDS WEDDING WITH MY THREE YEAR OLD IN THE CAR, SHE WAS TURNING AROUND ON A SIDE STREET SHE LOST ALL STEERING I WAS THERE IN A SEPARATE CAR I WENT OUT AND CHECKED FOR THE PROBLEM. I FOUND THAT BOTH BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE INNER TIE RODS TO THE RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD BEEN BROKEN COMPLETELY. …
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MY PREGNANT WIFE WAS LEAVING A FRIENDS WEDDING WITH MY THREE YEAR OLD IN THE CAR, SHE WAS TURNING AROUND ON A SIDE STREET SHE LOST ALL STEERING I WAS THERE IN A SEPARATE CAR I WENT OUT AND CHECKED FOR THE PROBLEM. I FOUND THAT BOTH BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE INNER TIE RODS TO THE RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD BEEN BROKEN COMPLETELY. THIS IS MY WIFE'S DAILY DRIVER SHE HAS IT ON THE FREEWAY EVERYDAY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS ADVISED BY THE TECHNICIANS THAT THE VALVE GASKET WAS COVERED IN OIL SLUDGE. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE VALVE GASKET COVER NEEDED TO BE CLEANED AND THE OIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS ADVISED BY THE TECHNICIANS THAT THE VALVE GASKET WAS COVERED IN OIL SLUDGE. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE VALVE GASKET COVER NEEDED TO BE CLEANED AND THE OIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000. UPDATED 02/0812 *BF UPDATED 03/16/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NOTICED ANTIFREEZE LEAKING FROM UNDER CENTER AREA OF CAR, ATTEMPTED TO PIT IN ANTIFREEZE, LEAKED OUT RIGHT AWAY. I CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS FULL OF ANTIFREEZE. THE MOTOR IS SHOT. THERE WAS NO WARNING NO SERVICE LIGHTS THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN OVER HEATED, IT WAS VERY WELL MAINTAINED BY A LOCAL DEALER.
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.
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