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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

What owners actually said

329 reports
123,000 miles · Aug 23, 2010
Power Train

I OWN A 2002 DODGE INTREPID IT HAS APPROX. 125,000 MILES ON IT JUST GOT OUT OF THE SHOP 300 FOR TRANSMISSION AND IT IS NOT FIXED IT STARTED TO RAIN REALLY HARD MID JUNE 10 SINCE THEN CAR GOES INTO WHAT I KNOW NOW AS LIMP MODE IT GOES INTO SECOND GEAR AND WONT COME OUT UNLESS YOU PULL OVER TURN OFF AND RESTART WAS FIXING TO CALL …

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I OWN A 2002 DODGE INTREPID IT HAS APPROX. 125,000 MILES ON IT JUST GOT OUT OF THE SHOP 300 FOR TRANSMISSION AND IT IS NOT FIXED IT STARTED TO RAIN REALLY HARD MID JUNE 10 SINCE THEN CAR GOES INTO WHAT I KNOW NOW AS LIMP MODE IT GOES INTO SECOND GEAR AND WONT COME OUT UNLESS YOU PULL OVER TURN OFF AND RESTART WAS FIXING TO CALL ACTUAL DODGE PLACE THEN READ ON THE INTERNET OF ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE BEING HAD WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND ENGINES AS WELL. MY CAR HAS STARTED OVER HEATING. NO WARNING HAS FLUIDS. FOR 300 HAD EVERYTHING SERVICES WITH FLUIDS ETC AND AN ADDITIVE PUT IN AND TOLD DON'T KNOW HOW TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION THEN I READ PERSON AFTER PERSON SAYING THEY ARE REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND IT IS QUITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD OR CONTINUES TO DO WHAT MINE DOES. I AM AFRAID I AM GOING TO GET HIT I WAS ALMOST HIT ABOUT A WEEK AGO BY A DIESEL BECAUSE IT WENT TO ABOUT 43 THEN JERKED AND WENT INTO SECOND GEAR DIESEL RIGHT ON MY TAIL FURIOUS BECAUSE I HAD TO SLOW DOWN RPM WENT UP TO 4 AFRAID GOING TO BLOW THE MOTOR UP NO SHOULDER DUE TO CONSTRUCTION WAS TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE HE SLAMMED INTO ME IT IS SCARY WHEN IT JERKS I AM AFRAID AT SOME POINT I WONT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OR I WILL BE IN A BAD AREA AND HAVE TO SHUT IT OFF AND IT WILL LOCK UP LIKE SO MANY OTHERS HAVE. SO NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351294

103,000 miles · Aug 6, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. WITHIN SECONDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS ALSO COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. WITHIN SECONDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS ALSO COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET AND WATER PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 103,000. UPDATED 11/19/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPALCED. UPDATED 11/2/410

NHTSA ODI #10347840

82,000 miles · Jul 25, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE FAILURE ON 2002 DODGE INTREPID SE 2.7L V6. PER MECHANIC - TIMING CHAIN FAILURE AND OTHER ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO POOR OIL FLOW/OVERHEATED OIL CAUSING SLUDGE AND SUBSEQUENTLY CLOGGED OIL PORTS AND EXCESSIVE DEGRADATION OF OIL. THIS HAPPENED EVEN THOUGH USED FULL SYNTHETIC FOR ENTIRE LIFE OF CAR AND CHANGED OIL REGULARLY (~ EV…

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ENGINE FAILURE ON 2002 DODGE INTREPID SE 2.7L V6. PER MECHANIC - TIMING CHAIN FAILURE AND OTHER ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO POOR OIL FLOW/OVERHEATED OIL CAUSING SLUDGE AND SUBSEQUENTLY CLOGGED OIL PORTS AND EXCESSIVE DEGRADATION OF OIL. THIS HAPPENED EVEN THOUGH USED FULL SYNTHETIC FOR ENTIRE LIFE OF CAR AND CHANGED OIL REGULARLY (~ EVERY 5-8K MILES) OIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345178

160,000 miles · Jun 25, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THERE WAS METAL IN THE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THERE WAS METAL IN THE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10339979

82,714 miles · Jun 7, 2010
Power Train

MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION BECAME DISENGAGED FROM THE THIRD OR FOURTH GEAR AND DROPPED DOWN TO SECOND GEAR WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. THE RPM GAUGE WENT UP TO 5000 RPMS BEFORE I LET OFF THE GAS REALIZING THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT. WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND MY CAR PREFERRING TO BE IN 2ND GEAR, I WAS AT RISK OF BEING REAR-ENDE…

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MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION BECAME DISENGAGED FROM THE THIRD OR FOURTH GEAR AND DROPPED DOWN TO SECOND GEAR WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. THE RPM GAUGE WENT UP TO 5000 RPMS BEFORE I LET OFF THE GAS REALIZING THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT. WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND MY CAR PREFERRING TO BE IN 2ND GEAR, I WAS AT RISK OF BEING REAR-ENDED. RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM REVEALED THAT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION SPEED SENSOR THAT HAD FAILED AND FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO ONLINE FORUMS FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE MAKE AND MODEL REVEALED THAT OTHERS HAD SIMILAR ISSUES IN THE PAST WITH THEIR VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10335058

65,000 miles · May 21, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I DROVE A 2002 2.7 DODGE INTREPID. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-5, (THE MAIN HIGHWAY) AND MY CAR STARTED TO OVER HEAT RIGHT AWAY TO THE RED AND WAS BLOWING COLD AIR. I WAS BY MYSELF AND PULLED OVER AS FAR AS I COULD. I PULLED OVER AS FAR AS I COULD BUT MY CAR WAS STILL IN THE LANE. I WAITED A LITTLE WHILE UNTIL MY CAR COOLED DO…

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I DROVE A 2002 2.7 DODGE INTREPID. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-5, (THE MAIN HIGHWAY) AND MY CAR STARTED TO OVER HEAT RIGHT AWAY TO THE RED AND WAS BLOWING COLD AIR. I WAS BY MYSELF AND PULLED OVER AS FAR AS I COULD. I PULLED OVER AS FAR AS I COULD BUT MY CAR WAS STILL IN THE LANE. I WAITED A LITTLE WHILE UNTIL MY CAR COOLED DOWN, ABOUT 1 HOUR. I TRIED TO DRIVE IT TO THE GAS STATION TO USE A PHONE TO CALL MY DAD. I FINALLY GOT A HOLD OF SOMEONE TO COME TOW ME HOME. THE NEXT DAY MY DAD HAD FIXED THE THERMOSTAT THINKING THIS WOULD HELP. UM..... NO! MY CAR STARTED TO BLOW COLD AIR AGAIN. I WAS DRIVING THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JUST STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS NOT EVEN ABLE TO PULL OVER AT ALL!!! MY CAR JUST STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND I COULDN'T EVEN TURN MY WHEEL. I HAD TO CALL THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND LET THEM KNOW THAT I WAS IN THE FREEWAY AND WAS SCARED TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THEY CAME AND BLOCKED THE ROAD AND PUSHED ME TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. THIS IS THE WORST EXPERIENCE THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME IN MY LIFE!!!!! MY DAD LOOKED AT THE CAR AND CHECKED THE OIL AND ALL HE COULD SEE WAS SLUDGE EVERYWHERE. I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON MY CAR AND I STILL HAVE IT IN MY YARD. THIS IS A WASTE OF MONEY AND DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS IS SOMETHING I SHOULD BE PAYING FOR. ITS JUST BEEN SITTING THERE AND AFTER READING ALL THESE COMPLAINTS I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT DODGE IS STILL SELLING THESE CARS AND PUTTING PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER DAILY! I LOOKED ONLINE FOR WAYS TO STOP PEOPLE FROM BUYING THESE CARS AND FOUND THIS SITE. I REALLY HOPE SOMETHING HAPPENS WITH THESE CARS. ATLEAST STOP SELLING THEM!!! IF ANYONE HAS ANY ADVISE AS TO WHAT TO DO OR HOW TO FIX MY CAR WITHOUT SPENDING MORE THAN MY CAR COSTS PLEASE HELP ME! THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10331567

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2010
Power Train

2002 DODGE INTREPID. CONSUMER STATES WHEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT MADE A CLUNK SOUND AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER STATED ALMOST FROM THE TIME SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, SHE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SENSORS. AS SOON AS SHE DROVE OVER 45 MPH, THE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV BET…

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2002 DODGE INTREPID. CONSUMER STATES WHEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT MADE A CLUNK SOUND AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER STATED ALMOST FROM THE TIME SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, SHE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SENSORS. AS SOON AS SHE DROVE OVER 45 MPH, THE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV BETWEEN 2500-300 RPMS. IT WOULD STAY IN THAT POSITION UNTIL THE SHE PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RE-STARTED IT. THE SENSORS WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER ONE WEEK LATER, THE PROBLEM RESURFACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10329653

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

DUE TO ENGINE SLUDGE IN MY 2002 DODGE INTREPID THE ENGINE HAS LOCKED UP AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES WITH THIS ENGINE. VERY UNFAIR TO THE CONSUMER NOT TO CORRECT THE DEFECTS OF THIS ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #10323440

99,500 miles · Mar 20, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I OWN A 2002 DODGE INTREPID WITH A 2.7 LITER ENGINE. ENGINE OIL LIGHT KEEPS FLICKERING. ALSO, SOMETIMES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN OFF AGAIN. I DID A CODE CHECK TO FIND IT WAS THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND OXYGEN SENSOR. I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE ADVISER AND A M…

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I OWN A 2002 DODGE INTREPID WITH A 2.7 LITER ENGINE. ENGINE OIL LIGHT KEEPS FLICKERING. ALSO, SOMETIMES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN OFF AGAIN. I DID A CODE CHECK TO FIND IT WAS THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND OXYGEN SENSOR. I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE ADVISER AND A MECHANIC, THEY STATED THAT THERE IS NOT MUCH I CAN DO, THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES. I WAS SHOCKED, WAY TO GO DODGE! EVEN YOUR OWN EMPLOYEES DON'T HAVE ANY FAITH IN YOUR PRODUCTS! I REGULARLY CHANGE THE OIL MYSELF EVERY 3,000 MILES WITH SYNTHETIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10321210

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2010
EquipmentVehicle Speed Control

I OWN A 2002 INTREPID WHICH HAS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. IF I SET THE CRUISE SAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR IT WILL SURGE TO 70 OR MORE MILES PER HOUR BEFORE IT SLOWLY COMES BACK TO 65 MILES PER HOUR. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS TO THE DEALER WHO EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE CRUISE WITH A NEW ONE. THERE IS NO …

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I OWN A 2002 INTREPID WHICH HAS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. IF I SET THE CRUISE SAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR IT WILL SURGE TO 70 OR MORE MILES PER HOUR BEFORE IT SLOWLY COMES BACK TO 65 MILES PER HOUR. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS TO THE DEALER WHO EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE CRUISE WITH A NEW ONE. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE WITH THE NEW ONE. IT STILL SURGES WHEN IT IS SET. THE DEALER SAID THERE IS NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I ENGAGED THE CRUISE. I HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313279

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.