Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Chrysler Concorde owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Bought the car used from copper city Dodge in rome ny. Check engine light was on when test driven. Were reassured it would be good when we took delivery. After about two weeks light was back. Dealer said it was bad gas cap and fixed. About two weeks or so it was back on. Dealer said it needed to be reset, fixed. About two weeks it was back. Dealer said it was EVAP canister, rollover valve and an emissions valve, claimed fixed, charged us about $400. About two weeks or so it was back again. Dealer said it was a bad fuel pump would be about $700. Took car to usual family mechanic who had to replace everything dealer claimed to have replaced. Our mechanic said it all tested bad. After a month or so light was back on. Car runs OK but check engine light won't go away. This has been an ongoing problem since we've owned the car. …
I was driving my Concorde home from work a week before christmas and as I turned on the ramp to get off the highway at the bottom of the ramp my car just quit running, no sign of a problem at all with it being such a large vehicle it is very hard to control the steering. I was really thankful that it did not happen on the main highway because I was in the middle lane most of the way home and could have been rear ended and seriously hurt. I would like to know what the customers can do to get reimbursed fully or partially for the repairs since they know that they have a big problem with the engines. I had to have my engine replaced and so I paid for an engine & labor. Also this past summer mine and a friend of mines air conditioner went out, another problem that they have swept under the rug. …
2002 Chrysler Concorde 2.7l engine. Engine noise due to excess sludge build up in engine even though suggested maintenance routine was followed performing oil changes at proper intervals. Clio michigan Chrysler dealership maintenance technician suggested a total engine rebuild or a used engine replacement at a cost of more than 3000.00 dollars even though the engine has only 73774 miles of normal driving use. Upon further investigation it was discovered that there have been numerous complaints and subsequent class action lawsuits filed against daimler Chrysler corporation as a result of premature failure of the 2.7l engine manufactured by the Chrysler corporation. I then filed a formal complaint with the Chrysler corporation in regard to the engine noise and possible premature failure and suggested repair cost and as of his date have not been contacted by the said corporation.
August 2005, my Chrysler concord's oil was changed by the dealership, twelve days later my cars engine was knocking loudly, the dealership told me I let the oil run low (which I had not)and sludge was also a problem within the lower engine. They changed the oil again for free, and flushed the sludge from the engine, at my cost. Now two months later my cars engine is blown up from the sludge problem in the engine. The dealership park Dodge @ [phone] is quoting me 7,500 to replace the engine. I owe 6,000 on the vehicle which is my final 12 months of payments. My engine has 88,000 miles on it and has been taken very good care of. I have been told four times by the service representative and a salesmen these 2.7 concord engines have a bad sludge problem which causes each engine to be replaced. They stated Chrysler is not owning up to the problem.
Dt: 2002 Chrysler concord lx. Consumer complained of an engine failure. It first started by the engine knocking and light colored smoke from the tail pipe. The car was maintained with oil changes every 3000 miles. Took t vehicle o dealer, and they said it was not under warranty. Then engine specialist said vehicl needed a brand new engine at the cost of $5500. I was told by the engine specialist that there is defect in the oil pump and it will not maintain oil pressure and this causes oil sludge and this in turn locks the engine up. I have only owned the car 7 months I bought it used and I still owe $9000. On this car now. I have did research on the internet and found at least 900 other cases of this problem.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Concorde. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle fails to start occasionally. The dealer performed a tune-up on the vehicle. Approximately three weeks later, the vehicle began to overheat. The mechanic stated that the vehicle needed a transmission flush, belts, and a new water pump and performed the repair. Approximately two days later, the engine completely failed without warning. The mechanic stated that the engine was blown, but was unable to determine the cause of failure. The current mileage is 75,000 and failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Concorde. The contact stated that the 2.7 liter engine in his vehicle was malfunctioning. He heard a loud knocking noise and oil was not being pumped into the engine. The contact had the vehicle serviced for an oil change and routine maintenance in hopes that the failure would be corrected. The mechanic informed him that the oil was not the issue; however, the engine was malfunctioning. The manufacturer advised him to get a written estimate and send it to them. The failure mileage was 48,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Concorde. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle jerked and then shut off without warning. Approximately ten minutes later, the contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, it shut off again. The dealer stated that a defective part in the engine caused the vehicle to overheat. The dealer repaired the vehicle, but the failure continued. As of November 21, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 88,000 and current mileage was 90,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while cruising 65 MPH on the highway under normal road conditions, the oil light illuminated, and the engine made a clunking sound before the engine stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine had a 90 degree turn, and a buildup of oil sludge. The dealer was notified and determined that the VIN # did not fit under a recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. There are other complaints similar to this such as odi id #10109198.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Concorde. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle overheated and was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the thermostat and radiator cap caused the failure. The mechanic replaced the parts; however, the failure continued. The dealer stated that the head gasket failed. As of November 9, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 81,900 and current mileage was 82,224.
Engine complaints in other Concorde years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Chrysler Concorde?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Chrysler Concorde, 35% of the model year's 65 complaints. The component named most often is engine (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chrysler Concorde engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2002 Chrysler Concorde, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Chrysler Concorde engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.