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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 →
329Owner complaints

Model-year median: 377

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
997
19991,065
2000656
2001329
2002106
2003129
2004
Compare all Intrepid years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
207Power Train
60Service Brakes, Hydraulic
16Electrical System
15Steering
15
All reported categories
Air Bags
10Suspension
10Equipment
7Seats
6Vehicle Speed Control
6Visibility
6Engine
5Exterior Lighting
4Fuel System, Gasoline
4Latches/locks/linkages
4Seat Belts
4Structure
4Tires
4Fuel System, Other
2Fuel/propulsion System
2Interior Lighting
2Unknown Or Other
2Wheels
2Child Seat
1Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1

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.

11 crash reports9 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

329 reports
85,000 miles · May 5, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING ON PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH TURNPIKE (WEST) THE OIL LIGHT FLASHED ON AND IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. THE FAILURE OF THE MOTOR REQUIRED THAT MY WIFE, 1 YEAR OLD SON AND I SIT IN THE DALLAS HEAT FOR NEARLY 45 MINUTES WHILE WAITING FOR A CAB TO TAKE MY WIFE AND SON TO THE AIRPORT ($50 EXPENSE) AND I WAI…

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WHILE DRIVING ON PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH TURNPIKE (WEST) THE OIL LIGHT FLASHED ON AND IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. THE FAILURE OF THE MOTOR REQUIRED THAT MY WIFE, 1 YEAR OLD SON AND I SIT IN THE DALLAS HEAT FOR NEARLY 45 MINUTES WHILE WAITING FOR A CAB TO TAKE MY WIFE AND SON TO THE AIRPORT ($50 EXPENSE) AND I WAITED ON THE TOW TRUCK TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO OUR HOUSE ($125 TOW BILL). NOT TO MENTION I WILL BE EXPECTED TO INCUR A $7000.00 BILL IN ORDER TO FIX THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10156866

85,000 miles · May 2, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. IN 2003 I HAD THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED. NOW IN 2006 I'VE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AGAIN . I TOOK IT TO DAYTONA DODGE AND THEY SAID IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEN THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER AGAIN. THEN THEY CALLED ME ABOUT 4 DAYS LATER AND SAID I NEEDED A ENGINE BLOCK TOO BECAUSE…

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I HAVE A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. IN 2003 I HAD THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED. NOW IN 2006 I'VE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AGAIN . I TOOK IT TO DAYTONA DODGE AND THEY SAID IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEN THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER AGAIN. THEN THEY CALLED ME ABOUT 4 DAYS LATER AND SAID I NEEDED A ENGINE BLOCK TOO BECAUSE THE EAR THAT LINES UP THE TRANSMISSION WAS BROKE. THEY ALSO SAID I NEEDED TO CALL MY CAR INS. BECAUSE IT WAS DUE TO A IMPACT. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT BOTH CHRYSLER AND ALLSTATE HAVE DENIED ME TWICE I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I FELL THEY MESSED UP WHEN I HAD THE WORK DONE THE FIRST TIME BY NOT LINING IT UP RIGHT. THE CAR HAS BEEN THERE SINCE JAN. 26. I'VE HAD TO RENT CARS FOR ABOUT 2000.00 (25.00 A DAY) TILL I COULDN'T AFFORD IT ANY MORE I BOUGHT A 600.00 CAR AND THE DODGE IS STILL THERE I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10156577

101,000 miles · Apr 6, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE SLOWED AND ANOTHER LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. IT WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE ENGINE RESTARTED; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE AND WOULD ONLY OPERATE AT 10 MPH. IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT RE…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE SLOWED AND ANOTHER LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. IT WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE ENGINE RESTARTED; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE AND WOULD ONLY OPERATE AT 10 MPH. IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. ONE MONTH LATER WHILE APPROACHING A STOP, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10154743

95,000 miles · Apr 5, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE COASTED OFF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED FOR JUST A FEW SECONDS WHEN THE ENGINE SEIZED. IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE WATER FROM THE RADIATOR WAS IN THE ENGINE. THERE WAS WATER IN THE OIL, WHICH …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE COASTED OFF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED FOR JUST A FEW SECONDS WHEN THE ENGINE SEIZED. IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE WATER FROM THE RADIATOR WAS IN THE ENGINE. THERE WAS WATER IN THE OIL, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10154636

100,000 miles · Apr 3, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE ENGINE LOCKED UP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT OF THE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM CONCERNING THE 2.7 ENGINES. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10154443

98,000 miles · Mar 31, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

I DRIVE A WELL MAINTAINED 2002 DODGE INTREPID. MY ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING ONLINE FOR ANOTHER ENGINE AND FOUND SEVERAL WEBSITES WITH POSTS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH INTREPID OWNERS. I REALLY DON'T WANT TO BUY A NEW ENGINE…

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I DRIVE A WELL MAINTAINED 2002 DODGE INTREPID. MY ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING ONLINE FOR ANOTHER ENGINE AND FOUND SEVERAL WEBSITES WITH POSTS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH INTREPID OWNERS. I REALLY DON'T WANT TO BUY A NEW ENGINE AND KEEP THIS CAR IF THERE IS A FLAW IN THE 2.7 LITER ENGINES. IF THIS IS SUCH A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES, WHY IS CHRYSLER NOT RECALLING THEM. I WILL BE LOOKING INTO THE CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST CHRYSLER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10154268

47,000 miles · Mar 29, 2006
Power Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED

NHTSA ODI #10153974

73,000 miles · Mar 28, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE ENGINE FAILED. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED WHICH CAUSED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. UPDATED 05/10/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10153950

74,000 miles · Mar 28, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THIS OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. UPDATED 4/17/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10153880

56,000 miles · Feb 20, 2006
Power Train

TRANSMISSION STARTED FAILING TO GO INTO GEAR. REVVED UP RPM'S TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO FOURTH GEAR. CAR WOULD STALL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT FROM STOP AND WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10150686

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.