CarBrief

Owners filed 329 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Dodge Intrepid, and most of them name the engine[1][2]. The car has one recall, for a front seat recliner bolt that can break[3].

329owner complaints[1]
1recalls[4]
19–21MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 329 owner complaints on file for the 2002 Intrepid[1]. Of those, 11 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 9 injuries and 1 a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name several parts of the car. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Component group Complaints
Engine[2] 212
Power train[6] 60
Brakes[7] 16
Steering[8] 15
Electrical system[9] 15
Suspension[10] 10
Air bags[11] 10
Equipment[12] 7

Engine. The engine group is named in 212 complaints. The median mileage at failure is 78,475, and 5 of these complaints mention a fire[2]. In the sample of engine complaints we read, owners describe the car stalling or shutting off while driving. Some also describe overheating and a check engine light[2].

Power train. 60 complaints name this group[6]. The median mileage at failure is 65,000[6]. Two mention a crash, 3 a fire and 1 an injury[6]. In the sample we read, owners describe rough, late or missing gear shifts. Others describe a transmission that failed or had to be replaced, in some cases after the warranty ended[6].

Brakes. 16 complaints name the brakes[7], with a median mileage at failure of 22,215[7]. None mention a crash, fire or injury[7]. In the sample we read, owners describe rotors and pads wearing out early, a pedal that sticks or sinks, and a brake line that rubbed on a bolt and ruptured[7].

Electrical system. 15 complaints name this group and 3 mention a fire[9]. In the sample we read, owners describe the car losing power or dying while driving[9].

Air bags. Only 10 complaints name air bags[11], but 6 mention a crash and 6 an injury[11]. One reports a death[11]. The median mileage at failure is 110,500[11].

Steering has 15 complaints, suspension 10 and equipment 7[8][10][12].

Recalls

NHTSA lists one recall for this model year[4].

Fuel economy

EPA lists two engines for this car. Both use regular fuel and front-wheel drive.

Engine City / highway / combined MPG Est. annual fuel cost
2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[5] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,200
2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4)[13] 18 / 25 / 21 $3,200
3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[14] 16 / 24 / 19 $3,550
3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4)[15] 16 / 24 / 19 $3,550

The 3.5L costs about $350 more per year to fuel than the 2.7L in EPA's estimate[5][14]. EPA's annual cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list the 4-door 2002 Intrepid as not rated[16]. There is no star rating to compare.

How 2002 compares with other years

1995: 589 complaints, 3 recalls19951996: 505 complaints, 2 recalls19961997: 344 complaints, 2 recalls19971998: 377 complaints, 3 recalls19981999: 997 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 1,065 complaints, 7 recalls20002001: 656 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 329 complaints, 1 recalls32920022003: 106 complaints, 0 recalls20032004: 129 complaints, 0 recalls2004
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Intrepid model year. The 2002 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19955893
19965052
19973442
19983773
19999974
20001,0657
20016563
20023291
20031060
20041290

NHTSA data for the Intrepid runs from model year 1995 to 2004[4]. With 329 complaints[4], 2002 has the third-lowest count of those ten years. Only 2003 (106) and 2004 (129) are lower[4]. The worst year is 2000, with 1,065 complaints and 7 recalls[4].

With 1 recall[4], 2002 has fewer than every year from 1995 to 2001, which have between 2 and 7[4]. Model years 2003 and 2004 have none[4]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so a lower count does not prove a better car.

Should you buy a used 2002 Intrepid?

The 2002 has one of the lower complaint counts for the Intrepid, fewer than every earlier year in the data, though 2003 and 2004 are lower still[4]. The engine and power train draw the most complaints, so have a mechanic check both before you buy[2][6]. Ask whether the seat recliner recall work was done[3]. EPA estimates fuel at $3,200 a year with the 2.7L and $3,550 with the 3.5L[5][14]. These are owner reports, not test results, and they cannot tell you how a particular car has been treated.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge Intrepid?
The engine group is named most often, in 212 of 329 NHTSA complaints[1][2]. The power train is next with 60[6].
Does the 2002 Dodge Intrepid have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one, 03V035. A front seat recliner bolt can break and let the seat back recline while driving. Dealers replace the bolts[3][4].
How many miles per gallon does a 2002 Dodge Intrepid get?
The 2.7L is rated 21 MPG combined[5]. The 3.5L is rated 19 MPG combined[14].
Is the 2002 Dodge Intrepid a good year?
It has fewer complaints than 1995 to 2001 and fewer recalls than those years. 2003 and 2004 have fewer complaints still[4].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 329 owner complaints on file for the 2002 Dodge Intrepid (11 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 9 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 212 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,475). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 03V035, filed February 5, 2003: Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Intrepid model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Intrepid, 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 60 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 16 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,215). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 15 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 15 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 10 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 10 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 110,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 7 complaints name the equipment component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for Intrepid, 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Intrepid, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Intrepid, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.