2002 Dodge Intrepid: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 Dodge Intrepid: 1 recall, 329 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #03V035000 · 2003 · 1,066,000 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, seat back recliner bolt breakage can occur resulting in the seat back reclining unexpectedly.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace the recliner bolts. Owner notification began on April 23, 2003.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 9 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (207): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (58), noise or vibration (47), warning light on (36).
- Transmission & drivetrain (60): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (23), stalls / loses power (16), warning light on (15).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (16): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (4), warning light on (3), noise or vibration (3).
- Steering (15): the most common themes are steering problems (12), noise or vibration (6).
The 2002 Dodge Intrepid has 329 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 13 Intrepid model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 479). Complaints peaked in 2007 (49 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 74,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (656 complaints, 3 recalls), 2003 (106 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S4) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S4) | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 Dodge Intrepid.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2002 Dodge Intrepid have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2002 Dodge Intrepid, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2002 Dodge Intrepid problems?
Owners have filed 329 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (207), transmission & drivetrain (60), brakes (hydraulic) (16).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Dodge Intrepid get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.7 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 Dodge Intrepid repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.