Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2002 Dodge Intrepid Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine — runs 4.8× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
329Complaints
3Recalls
11Crashes
9Fires
9Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (27.4% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints here are 4.8× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 90 · 27.4% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 82 · 24.9% | No official action | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 42 · 12.8% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System | 15 · 4.6% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline | 11 · 3.3% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 10 · 3% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 329 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 3 campaigns
Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Seats:front Assembly:recliner
NHTSA campaign 03V035000 · 2003 · reported 02/05/2003
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“I BOUGHT MY CAR (2002 DODGE INTREPID) IN FEB 2005. I HAD AN OIL CHANGE IN APR 05, MAY 05, AUG 05, AND OCT 05…”NHTSA complaint 10141350 — filed 10/31/2005 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10133236 — filed 08/17/2005 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“THE VEHICLE JUST STARTED KNOCKING TO IT TO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT NEED A NEW ENGINE CAR HAS LESS THE 70,000 MILES ON…”NHTSA complaint 10131463 — filed 08/03/2005 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge Intrepid?
Engine and engine cooling:engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 90 of 329 NHTSA complaints (27.4%), followed by engine and engine cooling (82), power train:automatic transmission (42), engine and engine cooling:cooling system (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2002 Dodge Intrepid have?
329 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 11 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 2002 Dodge Intrepid have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E012000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2002 Dodge Intrepid's reported problems?
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
