2002 Dodge Intrepid Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 207about this part
- Share
- 63%of 329 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 207 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Dodge Intrepid, 63% of the 329 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. It is not worth it to fix it. This car is known for engine failure at 80-90k miles. I almost got in an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10278888, filed 2009-07, 90,000 miles“I began having trouble with my heater in my car and I took it into pep boys and they replaced the water pump and seals. Then it began again and then the check engine light came on and I was told that I had a transmission sensor going out. Soon after the car stalled and would not start. Before the car stalled the engine had a loud knocking coming from it.”
NHTSA complaint #10185101, filed 2007-03, 70,800 miles“I am extremely upset because recently I purchased a Dodge 2002 Intrepid just a little less than a year ago an without any warnings my water pump went out which cause my timing belt to destroy the engine instantly. And I just recently read hundreds of reports of similar incidents. I also was on the freeway at the time in the middle of traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #10183466, filed 2007-02, 75,000 miles“My family and I while driving down the highway in our 2002 Dodge Intrepid se 2.7 liter the engine failed with no warning after further research have found that chrysler is aware of this problem yet has done nothing and will do nothing to correct it. This is unfortunate as this problem presents real danger for people around these cars when the engine fails.”
NHTSA complaint #10204630, filed 2007-10, 111,000 miles“Heat failed in vehicle approx. Feb.7,2007 then in march of 2008 car engine failed on the expressway. I had car towed to the dealer that sold me the car and they ordered a new engine. Engine was back ordered and I had to wait over a month for engine. Now I have to return the car because engine is running rough and black smoke is coming out of exhaust pipe when it is started.”
NHTSA complaint #10228579, filed 2008-05, 15,103 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10223854Sep 7, 2016Service - 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. This applies…
- 10191460Feb 26, 2016Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 79 | 61% |
| 2003 | 61 | 58% |
| 2002 | 207 | 63% |
| 2001 | 520 | 79% |
| 2000 | 785 | 74% |
| 1999 | 698 | 70% |
| 1998 | 198 | 53% |
| 1997 | 53 | 15% |
| 1996 | 83 | 16% |
| 1995 | 67 | 11% |
| 1994 | 72 | 10% |
| 1993 | 51 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2002 Dodge Intrepid
60 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsEquipment
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Dodge Intrepid
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology