The 2002 Dodge Intrepid has 3 safety recalls and 329 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (213 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints329filed by owners
Crashes · fires11 · 9reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths9 · 1reported in complaints
2002 Dodge Intrepid in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 09E025000 · May 11, 2009 · 42,540 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009 · 16,270 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
NHTSA recall 03V035000 · Feb 5, 2003 · 1,066,000 vehicles
Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
Risk: 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.
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 FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2002 Dodge Intrepid 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Intrepid
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Intrepid
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S4) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Intrepid
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Intrepid
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S4) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Cooling system
213
1
4
1
78,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
61
2
3
1
65,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Disc › Rotor; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
19
0
0
0
22,215 mi
Electrical system 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables; Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
17
0
3
0
59,500 mi
Steering Linkages › Tie rod assembly; Hydraulic power assist system
15
1
0
0
68,500 mi
Suspension Front; Rear
10
0
0
0
55,500 mi
Air bags Frontal
10
6
0
6
110,500 mi
Equipment Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.; Appliance › Air conditioner
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Feb 15, 2022 · 84,000 milesSeats 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.
Feb 17, 2020Power train THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WILL ONLY GO INTO PARK EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS WARMED UP. *TR
Jun 27, 2017 · 105,208 miles · fireEngine 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.
Jun 8, 2016 · 145,000 milesEngine 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.
Oct 28, 2015 · 68,000 milesWheels 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.
Sep 7, 2015 · 146,000 milesAir 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
Aug 27, 2015 · 227,000 miles · fireElectrical system WAS DRIVING SMELLED HOT WHEN GOT HOME 3 MILES LATTER OPENED HOOD COOLING FAN WAS SMOKING THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE
Nov 21, 2014 · 97,000 miles · crash · 1 injuryAir 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
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
PE03010 · opened Feb 27, 2003 · closed Sep 2, 2003THROTTLE CONTROL FAILURE 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.
