Is the 2002 Dodge Intrepid a bad year?
329 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 209, 2.4× a quiet Intrepid year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2002 Dodge Intrepid were filed between 62k and 102k miles. You're at 78,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 Intrepid owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 78,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 193 (59%) | 63k–104k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 60 (18%) | 51k–95k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine and cooling | 17 (5%) | 63k–104k miles · around this mileage | Water pump replacement $400–$1,106 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 15 (5%) | 53k–117k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 15 (5%) | 41k–92k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bags | 10 (3%) | 70k–131k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 16 (5%) | 22k–71k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 10 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 78,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 329 complaints: 11 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 8 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Mar 2022.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I purchased a 2002 Dodge Intrepid with a 2.7-LITER engine in july of 2005 from holley Dodge in middletown, ct for $9,500.
The oil light flickers when I slow down, and when I am at idle at a light, the oil light comes on and only goes away when I accelerate.
Engine failure. Engine failed due to water ump allowing water to enter engine via oil pan. Sludge problems caused timing chain to be excessively tight thereby causing too much pressure on waterpump bearings.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 78,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2002 Dodge Intrepid: 3
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. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
On certain passenger vehicles, seat back recliner bolt breakage can occur resulting in the seat back reclining unexpectedly. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 9
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Dodge Intrepid. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Service Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Throttle control failure
Neighbouring years
2001 Intrepid: 655 complaints, consider selling · 2003 Intrepid: 106 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Dodge Intrepid year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · All Intrepid years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2002 Dodge Intrepid a bad year?
329 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 209, 2.4× a quiet Intrepid year. At 78,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2002 Dodge Intrepid were filed between 62k and 102k miles. You're at 78,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge Intrepid?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (193), transmission and drivetrain (60), engine and cooling (17), electrical system (15), steering (15). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 62k–102k miles.
How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Intrepid have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E025000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E012000), Seats (NHTSA 03V-035). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.