IllustrationWHILE DRIVING 50 MPH TRANSMISSION FAILED. OWNER WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST. DEALER STATED THE CORE RETURN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
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 reportsTHE CAR HAS ONLY 65, 000 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED WHILE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE RPM'S REVVED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 35 MILES AN HOUR. DIAGNOSTICS EQUIPMENT HAS SAID THE MODULATORS AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENETS FOR THE TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE REPLACED JUST SHOR…
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THE CAR HAS ONLY 65, 000 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED WHILE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE RPM'S REVVED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 35 MILES AN HOUR. DIAGNOSTICS EQUIPMENT HAS SAID THE MODULATORS AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENETS FOR THE TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE REPLACED JUST SHORT OF REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY AND DRIVEN UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. I THINK THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS UNWARRANTED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THERE IS A TREND IN DODGE 2.7 ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS.*AK
THE TIMING BELT WOULD MAKE A SLAPPING NOISE WHILE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE.*AK
WENT TO GET A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE; MECHANICS SHOWED ME THE OIL, STATING THAT I NEEDED TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO A POSSIBLE BLOWN HEAD GASKET. IN ACTUALITY, I NEED A NEW ENGINE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 48000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE OWNED IT FOR LESS THAN 1 YEAR AND STILL MAKE PAYMENTS.*AK
DODGE INTREPID 2002 1), WEESK PRIOR OIL LOIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS COLD OUT AND THEN IT ENT OUT. NEVER THOUGHT MUCH ABOUT IT. 2) FAILURE OF ENGINE (SIEZED ENGINE) 2 BLOKCS FROM MY HOUSE GOING ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR AND I ATTEMPTED TO GO HOME AND MY CAR DIED STRADDLING 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC. 3) NOTHING YET, SUSPECT I NEED A NE…
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DODGE INTREPID 2002 1), WEESK PRIOR OIL LOIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS COLD OUT AND THEN IT ENT OUT. NEVER THOUGHT MUCH ABOUT IT. 2) FAILURE OF ENGINE (SIEZED ENGINE) 2 BLOKCS FROM MY HOUSE GOING ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR AND I ATTEMPTED TO GO HOME AND MY CAR DIED STRADDLING 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC. 3) NOTHING YET, SUSPECT I NEED A NEW ENGINE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2.7 LITER ENGINES. *AK SLUDGE BUILDUP CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEATED SUDDENLY. *NM
3-18-05 WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH MY 2002 DODGE INTREPID STALLED AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER. I LOOKED AT THE ENGINE, CHECKED THE OIL AND RESTARTED CAR. THE ENGINE WAS SPUDDERING AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT DOWN TE ROAD ABOUT 1 MILE TO RANDOLPH CHRYSLER IN RANDOLPH MASS. THE SERVICE STAFF STATED THAT EITHER I SNAPED …
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3-18-05 WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH MY 2002 DODGE INTREPID STALLED AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER. I LOOKED AT THE ENGINE, CHECKED THE OIL AND RESTARTED CAR. THE ENGINE WAS SPUDDERING AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT DOWN TE ROAD ABOUT 1 MILE TO RANDOLPH CHRYSLER IN RANDOLPH MASS. THE SERVICE STAFF STATED THAT EITHER I SNAPED A CONNECTING ROD OR SPUN A BEARING AND THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $6000. THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALER AND I AM HAVING TROUBLE GETTING WARRANTY BY NET TO REPAIR THE MOTOR AS I HAVE A EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH THEM. ALL PARTIES LEFT ME STRANDED 100 MILES FROM HOME WITH NO WAY TO GET HOME. ITS NOT RIGHT. *AK
CONSUMER STATES THE ENGINE DEVELOPED A SLUDGE BUILD UP. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK
GOODYEAR, AMERICAN EAGLE, SIZE 225/60R16 BW. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER CHANGED THE FRONT TIRE. ABOUT 50 MILES AFTER REPLACING THE FIRST TIRE THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW UP. WALMART REPLACED BOTH TIRES WITHOUT ANY CHARGE.*AK ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED AT THE WALL MART GOODYEAR IN PORTSMOUTH…
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GOODYEAR, AMERICAN EAGLE, SIZE 225/60R16 BW. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER CHANGED THE FRONT TIRE. ABOUT 50 MILES AFTER REPLACING THE FIRST TIRE THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW UP. WALMART REPLACED BOTH TIRES WITHOUT ANY CHARGE.*AK ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED AT THE WALL MART GOODYEAR IN PORTSMOUTH, NH. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44750. THE LEFT TIRE BLEW OUT AT 46604. THE RIGHT TIRE BLEWOUT AT 46674. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. *TC
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING CONTROL. THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT WHILE DRIVING OR TURNING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND LUBRICATED THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE IS…
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WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING CONTROL. THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT WHILE DRIVING OR TURNING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND LUBRICATED THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE IS BACK AT THE DEALER. *JB
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.