Severe Issues

2002 DODGE NEON Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2002 Dodge Neon. This model year has 186 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.

186
Complaints
29
Crashes
3
Fires
18
Injuries
β€”
Deaths
6
Recalls

Before you buy β€” check the actual VIN

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.

Worst 2002 Dodge Neon Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1
39
complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Crash-related:2
#2
37
complaints

Engine Problems

Crash-related:2
Fires:1
Injuries:2
#3
26
complaints

Electrical Faults

Fires:1

Considering a 2002 Dodge Neon?

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Dodge Neon. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Transmission / Drivetrain392β€”β€”
Engine Problems3721β€”
Electrical Faults26β€”1β€”
Airbag Malfunctions2421β€”β€”
Structural Problems21β€”β€”β€”
Brake System203β€”β€”
Hydraulic193β€”β€”
Suspension Failures151β€”β€”
Headlight/Taillight Failures11β€”1β€”
Uncategorized Issues8β€”β€”β€”
Steering Defects71β€”β€”
Tire Issues61β€”β€”
Equipment6β€”β€”β€”
Seat Belt Issues4β€”β€”β€”
Visibility4β€”β€”β€”
Unintended Acceleration31β€”β€”
Fuel System2β€”β€”β€”
Gasoline2β€”β€”β€”
Wheel Issues11β€”β€”
Door Lock Issues1β€”β€”β€”
Seat-Related Issues11β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Dodge Neon. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

πŸ”

Showing 186 most recent complaints

Transmission / DrivetrainDec 31, 2018

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HEARD A WHIRRING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND I LOST THE ABILITY TO GO INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS A CLOGGED TRANS FILTER SO I REPLACED IT AND THE CAR RAN GREAT FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS AND NOW I HAVE TORQUE CONVERTER OUT OF RANGE CODE…

Electrical FaultsAug 2, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE VEHICLE DOOR, A MOUSE WAS SEEN RUNNING FROM THE FLOOR OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND UNDER THE SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RODENT ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS IN THE REAR OF THE VEHIC…

Transmission / DrivetrainJul 22, 2017

I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH 49000 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE THEN I SLOWED DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN TO BETWEEN 3 AND 7 MPH AND THE WHOLE THING JUST LOCKED UP. I TRIED EVERY GEAR BUT NOTHING WOULD UNLOCK THE TRANNY.. IT'S STILL LOCKED UP NOW I HAD TO GET IT TOWED.. L…

Engine ProblemsJun 9, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A KNOCKING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE PISTON DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED…

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashMay 16, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED,…

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashDec 22, 2015

2002 DODGE, WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND THE FRONT AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE HOOD WAS BENT. ACCIDENT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY

Engine ProblemsNov 1, 2015

I DRIVING OFF THE INTERSTATE WEN CAR SHUT OFF IDLED TRIED TO CRANK IT UP BUT IT ONLY MADE WHINING NOISE AND WON'T START I ALSO NOTICE MY CAR WAS SMOKING SO I LET THE CAR COOL OFF BEFORE I PUT WATER... THE NEXT DAY I WENT AND A NEW TIMING BELT PUT ON AND A CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AND I…

Structural ProblemsSep 29, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND PARTIALLY FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

Steering DefectsApr 21, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. WHILE EXITING A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER TO A COMPLETE STOP AND NO WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT TH…

Transmission / DrivetrainOct 17, 2014

DRIVING ON RT224 AND CAR STARTED SQUEALING, LOST POWER IN GAS PEDAL, GOT OFF BUSY ROAD, TURNED ON SIDE ST. AND HAD NO GAS POWER, HAD TO CALL MY HUSBAND TO PICK ME AND MY UNCLE UP, HE LOST PAID WORK , MECHANIC CAME TO PARKING LOT, HE SAID TRANSMISSION BLEW, HAD IT TOWED TO SHOP. …

Transmission / DrivetrainSep 29, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IND…

Brake SystemSep 25, 2014

WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR, I HAD/HAVE LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE FROM MY BREAKS WHEN I BACK OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY. I WAS TOLD, FROM THE DEALER, NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO FIX THIS. I THOUGHT THAT MAY BE THIS WOULD STOP, BUT IT IS STILL ALWAYS HAPPENING. *TR

Steering DefectsπŸ’₯ CrashSep 18, 2014

DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 25 MPH COULD NOT STEER CAR, PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT, COULDN'T CONTROL WENT OFF ROAD, HITTING TWO TREES AND THEN CAR FLIPPED, ENDING UP ON ROOF. RESULTING IN TWO INJURIES, DRIVER AND PASSENGER GOING TO HOSPITAL. *TR

Transmission / DrivetrainAug 13, 2014

GOOD MORNING, I HAVE A 2002 DODGE NEON THAT I HAVE PUT MONEY INTO AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED DISHONESTY FROM MECHANICS UNTIL NOW; PAYING LOTS OF MONEY TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT CANNOT BE FIXED. I WAS INFORMED LAST WEEK THAT THIS LEAK ON MY CAR CANNOT BE FIXED BECAUSE ITS A MANUFACTUR…

Tire IssuesMay 25, 2014

I BOUGHT 4 PIRELLI P4 P185/60R-15 TIRES. LESS THAN 6K MILES A TIRE BLEW OUT THE SIDEWALL. NOW AT 17K MILES ANOTHER TIRE HAS A BIG BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL. I AM TAKING THAT BACK TO DISCOUNT TIRE FOR A REPLACEMENT. I DID NOT HIT ANY POTHOLES AND I DRIVE SLOW. THIS IS SCARY. *T…

Structural ProblemsFeb 7, 2014

WATER COLLECTS IN THE TRUNK CAUSING MOLD, THIS AFFECTS MY ATHSMA. SEEMS THIS AFFECTS MANY OWNERS AND SEEMS IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE IT AFFECTS THE AIR QUALITY YOU BREATH. *TR

Suspension FailuresJan 21, 2014

WHERE TO START! STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BAD WHEN IDLING AND HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE COMPUTER! THERE SEEMS TO BE THE SAME COMPLAINTS WITH THESE CARS WITHOUT ANY ACTION FROM CHRYSLER. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS TWICE IN 6 MONTHS IN MY DAUGHTERS CAR, THERE…

Headlight/Taillight FailuresSep 12, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE NOTICED THAT THE BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WOULD POINT DOWNWARD AND ILLUMINATED AN INADEQUATE BRIGHTNESS TOWARDS THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED BOTH …

Structural ProblemsSep 14, 2012

THE CAR HAS LESS THEN 63K MILES ON IT AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS UNSAFE DO TO A RUSTED K FRAME. EVERYWHERE I LOOK ONLINE PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH LOW MILEAGES HOW CAN THIS NOT BE RECALLED!?!? IT WAS ONLY FOUND WHEN I WENT TO 2 DIFFERENT PLACES IN NASHUA, NH AND IT FAILED INS…

Structural ProblemsAug 9, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR WHEN SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER WAS RUSTED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MA…

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Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2002 Dodge Neon.

Recalls for 2002 Dodge Neon

6 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2002 Dodge Neon. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

09E012000Jul 4, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

08E050000Nov 8, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

06E049000Invalid Date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

09E025000Nov 5, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

06E026000Invalid Date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

08E033000Invalid Date
SUSPENSION

Other Dodge Neon Years

200520042003200220012000

2002 Dodge Neon β€” FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2002 Dodge Neon reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. The 2002 Dodge Neon has 186 NHTSA owner complaints, 29 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Transmission / Drivetrain (39 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge Neon?β–Ύ

#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (39 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (37 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (26 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Dodge Neon?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2002 Dodge Neon?β–Ύ

The 2002 Dodge Neon has 29 crash-related complaints and 3 fire reports out of 186 total NHTSA complaints. 18 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2002 Dodge Neon have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes β€” 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2002 Dodge Neon. The largest issue: EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

Should I buy a 2002 Dodge Neon?β–Ύ

The 2002 Dodge Neon has severe issues β€” review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Transmission / Drivetrain issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Dodge Neon reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Check Your Specific 2002 Dodge Neon

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.