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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
48 miles · Jun 9, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 02 DODGE 2.7 L TIMING HAS FAILED. SINCE ALMOST ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WHY CHRYSLER DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ? THAT'S WHAT I CALL RIP OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230349

78,900 miles · May 30, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD TO WAIT ON AN INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THREE WEEKS LATER…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD TO WAIT ON AN INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THREE WEEKS LATER, THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE BUILD UP AND THE OIL FILTER LOOKED RUSTY. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,900.

NHTSA ODI #10229358

97,800 miles · May 28, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY HEATER IN THE CAR STOP WORKING,THE NEXT DAY IT CAME BACK ON,THEN IT WENT OUT AGAIN,A COUPLE OF DAYS IT CAME ON AGAIN AND STAYED ON. NO PROBLEM UNTIL A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. I HAD IT TOWED TO SHOP,THEY TOLD ME THE ENGINE WAS GONE THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229112

15,103 miles · May 21, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

HEAT FAILED IN VEHICLE APPROX. FEB.7,2007 THEN IN MARCH OF 2008 CAR ENGINE FAILED ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I HAD CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER THAT SOLD ME THE CAR AND THEY ORDERED A NEW ENGINE. ENGINE WAS BACK ORDERED AND I HAD TO WAIT OVER A MONTH FOR ENGINE. NOW I HAVE TO RETURN THE CAR BECAUSE ENGINE IS RUNNING ROUGH AND BLACK SMOKE IS …

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HEAT FAILED IN VEHICLE APPROX. FEB.7,2007 THEN IN MARCH OF 2008 CAR ENGINE FAILED ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I HAD CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER THAT SOLD ME THE CAR AND THEY ORDERED A NEW ENGINE. ENGINE WAS BACK ORDERED AND I HAD TO WAIT OVER A MONTH FOR ENGINE. NOW I HAVE TO RETURN THE CAR BECAUSE ENGINE IS RUNNING ROUGH AND BLACK SMOKE IS COMING OUT OF EXHAUST PIPE WHEN IT IS STARTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228579

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

2002 DODGE INTREPID WITH OIL LEAK. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLES ENGINE HAS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH PRODUCES HIGH LEVELS OF ENGINE OIL SLUDGE. *KB AFTER THE OIL LEAK WAS REPAIRED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWO MONTHS LATER, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE HAD A TRANSMISSION LEAK. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10228393

76,000 miles · May 12, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, SHE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE THEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT SLUDGE INSIDE THE ENGINE CAUSED THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED A NEW ENGINE. AS OF MAY 12, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, SHE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE THEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT SLUDGE INSIDE THE ENGINE CAUSED THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED A NEW ENGINE. AS OF MAY 12, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 76,000.

NHTSA ODI #10227515

95,000 miles · May 1, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE INTREPID 2.7 LITER ENGINE FROM HONDA CARS OF MCKINNEY IN MAY OF 2005 FOR $7000 AND FELT VERY HAPPY ABOUT MY PURCHASE UNTIL A ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF LATER, THE ENGINE BEGIN LEAKING OIL. I FOLLOWED THE NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES. I TOOK MY DODGE TO ALLEN SAMUELS OF…

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I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE INTREPID 2.7 LITER ENGINE FROM HONDA CARS OF MCKINNEY IN MAY OF 2005 FOR $7000 AND FELT VERY HAPPY ABOUT MY PURCHASE UNTIL A ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF LATER, THE ENGINE BEGIN LEAKING OIL. I FOLLOWED THE NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES. I TOOK MY DODGE TO ALLEN SAMUELS OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS AND THEY "FIXED" MY OIL LEAK PROBLEM FOR $893 BUT WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT THE 2.7 ENGINE DESIGN PROBLEMS WHICH CAUSE MAJOR OIL SLUDGE PROBLEMS. AFTER ABOUT 2 MONTHS, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY RAN ANOTHER CHECK AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO OIL LEAK (ENGINE BURNS OIL NOW) BUT THERE WAS A "SMALL" TRANSMISSION LEAK. I WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY FURTHER WITH THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT PAYING MORE MONEY? SINCE THEN, I'VE BEEN UNABLE TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED AND HAVE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF CITATIONS FOR EXPIRED INSPECTION. I WAS EVEN TOLD BY A POLICEMAN THAT I COULD CHECK WITH THE AIR TEXAS PROGRAM FOR REPAIR COST HELP. I SENT IN REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND FOUND OUT FROM CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE THAT IT WOULD COST MORE THE CAR IS WORTH TO FIX. THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS GIVEN ME A $3000 VOUCHER TO REPLACE THIS POS DODGE. THE PROBLEM NOW IS THAT I'M UNEMPLOYED AND CAN'T AFFORD A CAR THAT QUALIFIES FOR THIS BENEFIT. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF SENDING A COMPLAINT TO ROBERT NARDELLI WITH CHRYSLER BUT I SAW THIS LINK AND THOUGHT I WOULD GET THE WORD OUT. THE DEALERSHIP AND/OR CHRYSLER OWE ME THE COST OF THE "OIL LEAK" REPAIR, COST TO EITHER REPLACE ENGINE/TRANS AND THE EXPENSES TO TRY AND GET IT INSPECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10226417

118,000 miles · Apr 29, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-50 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE TEMPERATURE IN THE VEHICLE WAS FINE AND THE CONTACT PULLED OVER THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, HE DISCOVERED THAT WATER LEAKED EVERYWHERE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, HE CHANGED THE OIL AND FOUND WATER IN THE OI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-50 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE TEMPERATURE IN THE VEHICLE WAS FINE AND THE CONTACT PULLED OVER THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, HE DISCOVERED THAT WATER LEAKED EVERYWHERE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, HE CHANGED THE OIL AND FOUND WATER IN THE OIL. HE ALSO FOUND WATER IN THE ENGINE AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE GASKET FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ODI #10226015

76,000 miles · Apr 20, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I OWN A 2002 DODGE INTREPID...I HAVE TO REPLACE THE MOTOR...IT ONLY HAS 76,000 AND DODGE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10225172

89,000 miles · Apr 1, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT'S FATHER-IN-LAW INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT PULLED BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY. SHE IMMEDIATELY HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND PULLED OFF…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT'S FATHER-IN-LAW INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT PULLED BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY. SHE IMMEDIATELY HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO EXCESSIVE ENGINE SLUDGE THAT CAUSED A ROD TO SNAP IN THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT A NEW ENGINE WOULD COST $5,000. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,000.

NHTSA ODI #10223020

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.