2002 Dodge Intrepid Problems, Recalls & Reliability
413 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2002 Dodge Intrepid, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 33/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 78,900 miles.
Typical
Where 2002 sits among all Intrepid years
What owners report
“Due to engine sludge in my 2002 dodge intrepid the engine has locked up and needs to be replaced. Many other complaints and issues with this engine. Very unfair to the consumer not to correct the defects of this engine.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Intrepid
“Transmission failed at less than 38000 miles, 2002 model yr. Engine light came on and high rpms at 55mph.transmission not shifting out of lower gears. Dealership says internal damage.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Intrepid
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 311 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 75,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 53,000 and 104,260 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
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…
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
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…
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
Fix: 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…
Federal defect investigations
Technical service bulletins
59 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on body & structure and engine — are on file for the 2002 Dodge Intrepid. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2002 Intrepid TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2002 Dodge Intrepid reliable?
The 2002 Dodge Intrepid drew 413 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 33/100, scored against the model's worst year (2000).
What are the most common 2002 Dodge Intrepid problems?
The top reported problems for the 2002 Dodge Intrepid are engine (218 complaints), transmission & drivetrain (61), and electrical (24).
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Intrepid problems show up?
Owners most often report 2002 Dodge Intrepid problems around 75,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 53,000 and 104,260 miles.
Does the 2002 Dodge Intrepid have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2002 Dodge Intrepid. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.