IllustrationI HAVE A 2002 INTREPID WITH THE DEFECTIVE 2.7L. I JUST HAD THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BREAK WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND WITH NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I WAS TOLD IT WILL BE $900 TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR $2000 TO REPLACE IT WITH A NON DEFECTIVE ENGINE. *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
240–25K
3925–50K
6850–75K
6575–100K
54100–150K
10150K+
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 reportsMY 2002 DODGE INTREPID STOPPED RUNNING WHILE I WAS HEADED UPHILL IN TRAFFIC I MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD MY MECHANIC TOWED IT AND RAN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON IT WHICH CAM BACK CAM SENSOR AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR ... REPLACED BOTH.. CAR STILL WONT START.. WAS TOLD THAT I POSSIBLY FLOODED THE SPARK PLUGS WHILE TRYING TO…
Read full complaint
MY 2002 DODGE INTREPID STOPPED RUNNING WHILE I WAS HEADED UPHILL IN TRAFFIC I MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD MY MECHANIC TOWED IT AND RAN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON IT WHICH CAM BACK CAM SENSOR AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR ... REPLACED BOTH.. CAR STILL WONT START.. WAS TOLD THAT I POSSIBLY FLOODED THE SPARK PLUGS WHILE TRYING TO RESTART IT... REPLACED SPARK PLUGS... CAR STILL WONT START AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION WAS TOLD THAT THE 2.7 ENGINE IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WHICH IF I CAN FIND A DECENT USED ENGINE WILL BE ATLEAST $3500 BUT I CANNOT FIND A USED DODGE INTREPID ENGINE BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL BAD! I STILL OWE MORE THAN $2000 ON THE CAR AND CANNOT AFFORD A NEW ENGINE.. I AM BEHIND ON PAYMENTS BECAUSE I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION TO WORK... OR TO THE GROCERY STORE.. OR THE DOCTOR OR TO MY 3 KIDS SCHOOL FOR THAT MATTER. *TR
CAR JUST STARTED DYING AND NEVER GAVE A WARNING, OIL STARTED BLOWING OUT ON TOP OF THE MOTOR , WHITE SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE CAR . THE CAR HAS A 2.7L ENGINE IN IT . THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAD EVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, THE OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED REGULARLY IN THE VEHICLE . *TR
WATER PUMP FAILURE CAUSED BY OIL SLUDGE ON A 2002 INTREPID SEEPED WATER INTO CRANKSHAFT OF MOTOR CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE TO MOTOR. POOR DESIGN FOR WATER PUMP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE EXITING A HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER ONE DAY OF BEING PARKED, HE NOTICED OIL LEAKAGE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED BY A TECHNICIAN. T…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE EXITING A HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER ONE DAY OF BEING PARKED, HE NOTICED OIL LEAKAGE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED BY A TECHNICIAN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
COOLANT WOULD COMPLETELY DISCHARGE RANDOMLY AND THE PLASTIC HARNESS INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL BREAKS WHILE TURNING, THUS RENDERING THE HORN / AIRBAG USELESS. THE HARNESS IS A $400+ REPAIR AND THE COOLANT SYSTEM RESULTED IN $2800 IN REPAIRS DUE TO A CHAIN EFFECT OF PROBLEMS. IT ALL STEMMED FROM A DEFECT OVERFILL CAP AND WATER PUM…
Read full complaint
COOLANT WOULD COMPLETELY DISCHARGE RANDOMLY AND THE PLASTIC HARNESS INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL BREAKS WHILE TURNING, THUS RENDERING THE HORN / AIRBAG USELESS. THE HARNESS IS A $400+ REPAIR AND THE COOLANT SYSTEM RESULTED IN $2800 IN REPAIRS DUE TO A CHAIN EFFECT OF PROBLEMS. IT ALL STEMMED FROM A DEFECT OVERFILL CAP AND WATER PUMP. THE COOLANT DISCHARGE OCCURS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL-WELL AND COULD EASILY CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE A FUNCTIONING AIR BAG IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THE WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN VIBRATING EXCESSIVELY; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. AFTER A WHILE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING AT A RAPID SPEED WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. THREE MECH…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THE WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN VIBRATING EXCESSIVELY; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. AFTER A WHILE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING AT A RAPID SPEED WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. THREE MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AND IS AWARE THAT THEY CONTACT IS UNABLE TO PAY THE REPAIR COST. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
ENGINE JUST DIED. ESTIMATES TO REPLACE/REPAIR START AT $4500, JUST FOR THE ENGINE, NOT INCLUDING LABOR! I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE 2ND REBUILT TRANSMISSION PUT IN ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. *TR
STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, ENGINE FAILED WITH NO WARNING. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. IT HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE TO CHANGE THE OIL ON A REGULAR BASIS. DUE TO OIL SLUDGE THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT NOW NEEDS A NEW ENGINE AT A COST OF $4,000. I STILL OWE $3,000 ON THE CAR. IT IS NOT WORTH IT TO FIX IT. THIS CAR IS KNOWN FOR ENGINE FAILURE AT …
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. IT HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE TO CHANGE THE OIL ON A REGULAR BASIS. DUE TO OIL SLUDGE THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT NOW NEEDS A NEW ENGINE AT A COST OF $4,000. I STILL OWE $3,000 ON THE CAR. IT IS NOT WORTH IT TO FIX IT. THIS CAR IS KNOWN FOR ENGINE FAILURE AT 80-90K MILES. I ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
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.