IllustrationI OWN A 2002 DODGE INTREPID ALWAYS DID REGULAR OIL CHANGES. OIL LIGHT CAME ON, STARTED HEARING A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER SAYS I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE, OTHERWISE IT MAY SEIZE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A SERIOUS CONDITION. *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 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION KEY AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO COMPLETELY TURNOVER. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS AN IGNITION MISFIRE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION KEY AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO COMPLETELY TURNOVER. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS AN IGNITION MISFIRE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO ENGINE SLUDGE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY INOPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 68,000.
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM COLLEGE WHEN OUR 2002 DODGE INTREPID ENGINE FAILED WHILE CROSSING TROLLEY TRACKS IN OUR LOCAL TOWN. *TR
SLUDGE BUILD UP, OVERHEATED, WATER PUMP OUT, TIMING CHAIN BROKEN.*TR
ENGINE SLUDGE DEC 2007, ENGINE SLUDGE OCTOBER 2008, RESULTING IN VEHICLE MALFUNCTION. THE CAR STOPPED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY DIED. LUCKILY I WASN'T REARENDED. THE OIL IS CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES. CHRYSLER SHOULD BE REPLACING THE MOTORS ON THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEO…
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ENGINE SLUDGE DEC 2007, ENGINE SLUDGE OCTOBER 2008, RESULTING IN VEHICLE MALFUNCTION. THE CAR STOPPED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY DIED. LUCKILY I WASN'T REARENDED. THE OIL IS CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES. CHRYSLER SHOULD BE REPLACING THE MOTORS ON THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. RIGHT NOW THE CAR IS SITTING, NON-WORKING. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH HIS VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE CRANK, FUEL, AND OIL SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE SAME DAY, THE ENGINE FAILED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS CLEAN AND FOUND NO FAILURE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH HIS VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE CRANK, FUEL, AND OIL SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE SAME DAY, THE ENGINE FAILED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS CLEAN AND FOUND NO FAILURES, OTHER THAN THE BEARING. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO INSTALL AN IDLER AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST FOR THE TRANSMISSION WAS $3,300. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR COSTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000.
BLOWN MOTOR. *TR
I REPLACED AN ENGINE IN A 2002 DODGE INTREPID LAST YEAR AND I AM REPLACING ONE AGAIN THIS YEAR. THIS ENGINE IS LESS THAN 80,000 MILES AND NOW THE ENGINE HAS LOCKED UP AGAIN. I AM RESEARCHING AND FINDING OTHER CONSUMERS ARE HAVING ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH DODGE INTREPIDS. THIS IS VERY COSTLY! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION AND AN OIL CHANGE. AFTERWARDS, WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD RATTLING NOISE INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS REMOVED. THE MECHANIC FOUND BUILT-…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION AND AN OIL CHANGE. AFTERWARDS, WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD RATTLING NOISE INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS REMOVED. THE MECHANIC FOUND BUILT-UP OIL SLUDGE, WHICH DESTROYED THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A NEW ENGINE FROM AN INDEPENDENT DEALER AND INFORMED HIM THAT THERE HAD BEEN SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE CHRYSLER AND DODGE 2.7 LITER ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,350. UPDATED 09/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/17/08. *JB
LEAVING A PARKING LOT SPACE, CAR SUDDENLY HAD TROUBLE TURNING, AND FELT AS THOUGH TIRE LOCKED UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL STEERING PROPERLY RESULTED IN CRASH INTO A CEMENT LIGHT POST IN PARKING LOT. DAMAGES APPROX. $ 2,500 TO CAR. CAR BEING REPAIRED. *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.