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2002 Dodge Intrepid Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2002 Dodge Intrepid has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Coolant loss, overheating and coolant in oil.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2002 Dodge Intrepid.

Reported to NHTSA

Coolant loss, overheating and coolant in oil

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

20 NHTSA complaints · 2006-01 → 2011-07

“NOTICED ANTIFREEZE LEAKING FROM UNDER CENTER AREA OF CAR, ATTEMPTED TO PIT IN ANTIFREEZE, LEAKED OUT RIGHT AWAY. I CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS FULL OF ANTIFREEZE. THE MOTOR IS SHOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10416135
“ENGINE COOLANT: CAR RAN HOT WITHOUT WARNING. TEMPERATURE GAUGE BLEW OFF OF RADIATOR AND COOLANT EXPLODED ALL OVER THE ENGINE. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10403863
“I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND NOTICED THERE WAS NOT HEAT. THE FAN WAS BLOWING, BUT THE AIR WAS NOT WARM. THE DAY BEFORE, THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED MY HUSBAND IMMEDIATELY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10217550

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission failure and shifting problems

POWER TRAIN

19 NHTSA complaints · 2006-02 → 2020-05

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10393593
“I OWN A 2002 DODGE INTREPID IT HAS APPROX”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10351294
“MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION BECAME DISENGAGED FROM THE THIRD OR FOURTH GEAR AND DROPPED DOWN TO SECOND GEAR WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. THE RPM GAUGE WENT UP TO 5000 RPMS BEFORE I LET OFF THE GAS REALIZING THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10335058

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering rack and inner tie rod failure

STEERING

7 NHTSA complaints · 2006-09 → 2014-05

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10587743
“MY PREGNANT WIFE WAS LEAVING A FRIENDS WEDDING WITH MY THREE YEAR OLD IN THE CAR, SHE WAS TURNING AROUND ON A SIDE STREET SHE LOST ALL STEERING I WAS THERE IN A SEPARATE CAR I WENT OUT AND CHECKED FOR THE PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10452147
“MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 DODGE INTREPID COMING FROM MY MOTHERS HOUSE, LUCKILY IT WAS AT LOW SPEED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10205188

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine failure attributed to oil sludge

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

47 NHTSA complaints · 2006-01 → 2012-01

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS ADVISED BY THE TECHNICIANS THAT THE VALVE GASKET WAS COVERED IN OIL SLUDGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10444281
“I HAVE A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. IT HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE TO CHANGE THE OIL ON A REGULAR BASIS. DUE TO OIL SLUDGE THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT NOW NEEDS A NEW ENGINE AT A COST OF $4,000. I STILL OWE $3,000 ON THE CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10278888
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT'S FATHER-IN-LAW INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT PULLED BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10223020

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Timing chain or tensioner failure

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

13 NHTSA complaints · 2006-03 → 2011-07

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE ENGINE SIZE IS A 2.7 LITER, V6”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10255902
“I HAVE A 2002 INTREPID WITH THE DEFECTIVE 2.7L. I JUST HAD THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BREAK WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND WITH NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I WAS TOLD IT WILL BE $900 TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR $2000 TO REPLACE IT WITH A NON DEFECTIVE ENGINE. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10310553
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10218644

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling or seizing without warning

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

35 NHTSA complaints · 2005-12 → 2011-06

“STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, ENGINE FAILED WITH NO WARNING. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10280800
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A CONCRETE DIAGNOSIS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10407627
“I BOUGHT THE 2002 DODGE INTREPID NEW AND FROM DAY 1 WE USED SYNTHETIC OIL IN THE VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT WAS THE BEST TREATMENT FOR THE LONGEVITY OF AN ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10198794

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light and clock spring failure

AIR BAGS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2009-10 → 2015-09

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10766453
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10438733
“COOLANT WOULD COMPLETELY DISCHARGE RANDOMLY AND THE PLASTIC HARNESS INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL BREAKS WHILE TURNING, THUS RENDERING THE HORN / AIRBAG USELESS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10289816

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

165 crashes 1990–2024

How the 165 occupant deaths break down

112

driver deaths

53

passenger deaths

165

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2002 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

14

complaints mentioning a crash

9

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2002 Dodge Intrepid reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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