DodgeIntrepid20023.5L/dodge/intrepid/2002/3-5l/
LH platform

2002 Dodge Intrepid — 3.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Intrepid 3.5L. Covers both the standard and High Output 3.5L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 3.5LTransmission Automatic (S4)

The 2002 Dodge Intrepid 3.5L is a passenger car riding on the LH platform, powered by a 3.5-liter engine paired with an Automatic (S4) transmission and EPA-rated at 16/24/19 mpg. Routine oil service calls for 5 quarts of 10W-30 API with the filter. Within the 1992-2004 model run, the 2002 model year sits well below the 2000 peak of 1,094 owner complaints, logging 340 complaints, three recalls, and Engine & Engine Cooling as the dominant concern area—meaning any research sample should prioritize engine and cooling system verification.

Model year200420032002200120001999199719961995

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/24/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-55R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter04591100AC discontinued
Spark plugSZFR5LP13G alt 68304015AA
BatteryBB34F101AA alt BB34U900AA
Front wiper blades05011207AB alt 05011206AC
Serpentine belt04792071AC discontinued · alt 04892173AA
Thermostat68027789AA discontinued · alt 04792237AE

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S4)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 24 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume104 cu ft
Cargo volume18 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts85 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub105 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub124 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.4-.6 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.058-0.057 in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.56 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)53.0-63.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle16 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket16 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.458 in / 1.019 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
140 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9040 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Tighten the cap bolts to finger tight. Step 215 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
At 105,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 Dodge Intrepid recorded 340 complaints, 3 recalls, 1 investigation and 59 TSBs, which is lower than the 2001 figures (656 complaints, 5 recalls, 1 investigation, 62 TSBs) but higher than the 2003 numbers (106 complaints, 2 recalls, 1 investigation, 54 TSBs). Across the 1992‑2004 generation, complaints rose sharply after 1992, peaked around 1999‑2000, and then began a steady decline through 2004. The 2002 model year sits on the downward slope of that trend, indicating improving reliability relative to the immediate predecessor. The data do not specify any root cause for the complaints or recalls. Consequently, 2002 represents a comparatively better year to buy than 2001, though a later model such as 2003 offers even lower reported issues.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
59
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
340
Owner complaints
14 involved a crash · 9 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 340 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling178
Power Train37
Engine & Engine Cooling,Power Train19
Steering12
Service Brakes, Hydraulic12
Air Bags10
Seats7
Electrical System6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 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… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

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… Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 59 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
23-015-202020-04-30EquipmentDisinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Intrepid. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Intrepid 3.5L take?

5 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Intrepid have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.5L get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.