DODGE INTREPID · model year

2002 DODGE INTREPID

413 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002DODGEINTREPID carries 413 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 12 fires, 9 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 INTREPID is engine and engine cooling:engine with 90 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (82) and power train:automatic transmission (42). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2002 INTREPID. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

413
Complaints
11
Crashes
12
Fires
9
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

413 filings

Crashes Reported

11 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE90
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING82
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION42
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
STEERING9
POWER TRAIN9
AIR BAGS9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR5
ENGINE5
SUSPENSION:FRONT4
SUSPENSION4

Recalls (3)

09E02500011/05/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

09E01200007/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

03V03500005/02/2003

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.

Recent Complaints

20220324SEATS

The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the seat back fell backwards onto the rear driver's side seat. The contact grabbed the steering wheel and held himself up and safely stopped the vehicle. The contact braced the seat upright and drove the vehicle to his residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched and referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V035000 (Seats) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

Mileage: 84,000

20200514POWER TRAIN

THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WILL ONLY GO INTO PARK EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS WARMED UP. *TR

20170707FireENGINE

AN OIL PLUG FRONT LEFT OF ENGINE BLOCK BLEW OUT PUMPING OIL ONTO CATALYTIC CONVERTER. OPEN FLAMES MELTED WHEEL WELL, BACK BUMPER, AND FUEL HOSES OFF OF GAS TANK. FIRE WENT OUT WENT ALL THE OIL WAS PUMPED OUT OF ENGINE AND CAR STOPPED MOVING. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER SAFETY, THEY REFERRED ME TO DODGE CUSTOMER CARE; THEY INITIALLY CREATED A CASE #31892226 BUT THEN SENT A LETTER SAYING THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF A THREE-YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD AND ALSO UNSPECIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. ALTHOUGH MY WIFE AND SON WERE ALMOST IMMOLATED, IT WASN'T IMPORTANT ENOUGH FOR THEM TO CHECK INTO. THE CAR REMAINS PARKED AT A LOCAL GARAGE AWAITING INVESTIGATION.

Mileage: 105,208

20170707FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

AN OIL PLUG FRONT LEFT OF ENGINE BLOCK BLEW OUT PUMPING OIL ONTO CATALYTIC CONVERTER. OPEN FLAMES MELTED WHEEL WELL, BACK BUMPER, AND FUEL HOSES OFF OF GAS TANK. FIRE WENT OUT WENT ALL THE OIL WAS PUMPED OUT OF ENGINE AND CAR STOPPED MOVING. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER SAFETY, THEY REFERRED ME TO DODGE CUSTOMER CARE; THEY INITIALLY CREATED A CASE #31892226 BUT THEN SENT A LETTER SAYING THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF A THREE-YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD AND ALSO UNSPECIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. ALTHOUGH MY WIFE AND SON WERE ALMOST IMMOLATED, IT WASN'T IMPORTANT ENOUGH FOR THEM TO CHECK INTO. THE CAR REMAINS PARKED AT A LOCAL GARAGE AWAITING INVESTIGATION.

Mileage: 105,208

20170707FirePOWER TRAIN

AN OIL PLUG FRONT LEFT OF ENGINE BLOCK BLEW OUT PUMPING OIL ONTO CATALYTIC CONVERTER. OPEN FLAMES MELTED WHEEL WELL, BACK BUMPER, AND FUEL HOSES OFF OF GAS TANK. FIRE WENT OUT WENT ALL THE OIL WAS PUMPED OUT OF ENGINE AND CAR STOPPED MOVING. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER SAFETY, THEY REFERRED ME TO DODGE CUSTOMER CARE; THEY INITIALLY CREATED A CASE #31892226 BUT THEN SENT A LETTER SAYING THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF A THREE-YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD AND ALSO UNSPECIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. ALTHOUGH MY WIFE AND SON WERE ALMOST IMMOLATED, IT WASN'T IMPORTANT ENOUGH FOR THEM TO CHECK INTO. THE CAR REMAINS PARKED AT A LOCAL GARAGE AWAITING INVESTIGATION.

Mileage: 105,208

20160610ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTING IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE AND THE CHECK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Mileage: 145,000

20160610FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTING IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE AND THE CHECK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Mileage: 145,000

20151028WHEELS

TIRES CONSISTENTLY LOSE AIR PRESSURE AND MUST BE RE-INFLATED ANYWHERE FROM 5 TO 14 DAYS APART. TAKEN TO TIRE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE WHEELS AND TIRES ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS AND TOLD THAT THE TIRES ARE FINE, AND THE LOST AIR PRESSURE IS DUE TO THE WHEELS.

Mileage: 68,000

20150921AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE WERE ACTIVATED, BUT FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000. UPDATED 02/23/16*LJ THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. HOWEVER THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE AIR BAG PROBLEM. UPDATED 02/23/16.*JB

Mileage: 146,000

20150903FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WAS DRIVING SMELLED HOT WHEN GOT HOME 3 MILES LATTER OPENED HOOD COOLING FAN WAS SMOKING THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE

Mileage: 227,000

20141122CrashAIR BAGS

THE CAR HIT A PATCH OF BLACK ICE AND CAR SLID INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEATBELT AT TIME OF ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. DRIVER HAD FACIAL INJURIES AND ELBOW WENT THROUGH WINDSHIELD. VERY FORTUNATE THAT WAS ALL. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

20141106SEATS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SEAT RECLINED INDEPENDENTLY AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

20140820ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. AFTER TURNING OFF CAR, SWITCH SLIPS INTO ACCESSORY POSITION AND DRAINS BATTERY. CAR DOES NOT START WHEN I RETURN TO THE CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE. I NEED TO PAY FOR A JUMP OR NEW BATTERY, OR TOW TO MY MECHANIC. THEN I HAVE TO KEEP REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE ORIGINAL IGNITION SWITCH LASTED UNTIL 2011. THE AFTER MARKET IGNITION SWITCHES FAIL WITHIN ABOUT A YEAR. SOMETIMES WITHIN A FEW MONTHS. SINCE JAN. 2011, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH ON 1/10/11 COST $147.50, 2/16/2012, COST $220.39, ALTERNATOR ASSEMBLY, COST $588.28 (MECHANIC THOUGHT IT COULDN'T BE THE SWITCH AGAIN), STARTER ASSEMBLY AGAIN 2/21/14, COST $384.23; RECOMMENDED I REPLACE THE RADIO SINCE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED OUT 3/14/2014, COST $45:IGNITION SWITCH AGAIN ON 8/01/14, COST $110.56. ALSO THIS CAR KEEPS HAVING THE LEFT REAR TAILLIGHTS FAIL. THEY TELL ME THIS IS ALL PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORT WHICH THEY GUESS IS CAUSING ALL OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS. BUT ALL TH

20140802ENGINE

ENGINE FAILURE 2.7L 2002 DODGE INTREPID VEHICLE OWNED OVER 10 YEARS 111K MILES CURRENT ODM, OIL CHANGE WAS NOT DUE AT THE TIME OF ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 111,000

20140802ENGINE

ENGINE FAILURE SLUDGE , ENGINE DESIGN. *TR

Mileage: 111,000

20140512STEERING

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, HE HEARD A POP. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE RACK AND PINION BOLTS HAVE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. AP

Mileage: 140,000

20130922AIR BAGS

WE BOUGHT THIS CAR AS THE THIRD OWNER THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T WORK AND THE HORN WOULDN'T SOUND.AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET,AND FINDING OUT THAT THEY HAD MANY MANY OF THE INTERNAL PASTS CHANGED AND THE MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE REIMBURSED, WE TOOK OUR CAR TO THE DEALER AND TOLD BECAUSE WE WERE THE THIRD OWNER,AND THAT THE MILEAGE WAS HIGH,THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THE CAR WAS NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT,NOR HAS IT BEEN ABUSED. I THINK THAT BECAUSE MY HORN CAN'T WORK IT MAY BE A CONCERN. I ALSO THINK WILE DRIVING MY AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY CAUSING AN INSIDENT.BOTH DODGE INTREPID , AND OTHER DODGES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED BY PAYING 4-TO5 HUNDRED DOLLARS TO THE CONSUMER. I FEEL AS THOUGH THE COST AND REPLACEMENT OF THE PART SHOULD GO BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER AS IT IS AN INTERNAL PART IN THE STEERING THAT BREAKS WITH OUT WARNING AND WITHOUT ANY CAUSE FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES I.E.ACCEDENTSOR OTHER. BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE CONTACTED YOU, T

Mileage: 170,000

20130922VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WE BOUGHT THIS CAR AS THE THIRD OWNER THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T WORK AND THE HORN WOULDN'T SOUND.AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET,AND FINDING OUT THAT THEY HAD MANY MANY OF THE INTERNAL PASTS CHANGED AND THE MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE REIMBURSED, WE TOOK OUR CAR TO THE DEALER AND TOLD BECAUSE WE WERE THE THIRD OWNER,AND THAT THE MILEAGE WAS HIGH,THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THE CAR WAS NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT,NOR HAS IT BEEN ABUSED. I THINK THAT BECAUSE MY HORN CAN'T WORK IT MAY BE A CONCERN. I ALSO THINK WILE DRIVING MY AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY CAUSING AN INSIDENT.BOTH DODGE INTREPID , AND OTHER DODGES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED BY PAYING 4-TO5 HUNDRED DOLLARS TO THE CONSUMER. I FEEL AS THOUGH THE COST AND REPLACEMENT OF THE PART SHOULD GO BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER AS IT IS AN INTERNAL PART IN THE STEERING THAT BREAKS WITH OUT WARNING AND WITHOUT ANY CAUSE FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES I.E.ACCEDENTSOR OTHER. BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE CONTACTED YOU, T

Mileage: 170,000

20130922ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WE BOUGHT THIS CAR AS THE THIRD OWNER THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T WORK AND THE HORN WOULDN'T SOUND.AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET,AND FINDING OUT THAT THEY HAD MANY MANY OF THE INTERNAL PASTS CHANGED AND THE MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE REIMBURSED, WE TOOK OUR CAR TO THE DEALER AND TOLD BECAUSE WE WERE THE THIRD OWNER,AND THAT THE MILEAGE WAS HIGH,THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THE CAR WAS NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT,NOR HAS IT BEEN ABUSED. I THINK THAT BECAUSE MY HORN CAN'T WORK IT MAY BE A CONCERN. I ALSO THINK WILE DRIVING MY AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY CAUSING AN INSIDENT.BOTH DODGE INTREPID , AND OTHER DODGES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED BY PAYING 4-TO5 HUNDRED DOLLARS TO THE CONSUMER. I FEEL AS THOUGH THE COST AND REPLACEMENT OF THE PART SHOULD GO BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER AS IT IS AN INTERNAL PART IN THE STEERING THAT BREAKS WITH OUT WARNING AND WITHOUT ANY CAUSE FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES I.E.ACCEDENTSOR OTHER. BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE CONTACTED YOU, T

Mileage: 170,000

20130228ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH OR LESS, SHE WOULD HEAR A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LOW OIL WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE MOTOR, WHICH NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY CLEANING THE SLUDGE OUT OF THE ENGINE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE FUEL AND THE CAM SENSOR COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR BOTH COMPONENTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 129,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. UPDATED 04/02/13*LJ

Mileage: 129,000

Compare 2002DODGEINTREPID to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 DODGE INTREPID have?
The 2002 DODGE INTREPID has 413 NHTSA complaints, 11 crashes, 12 fires, 9 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 DODGE INTREPID?
Yes, the 2002 DODGE INTREPID has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 DODGE INTREPID?
The most-complained component for the 2002 DODGE INTREPID is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 90 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 2002 DODGE INTREPID safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.