DODGE NEON · model year

2002 DODGE NEON

230 NHTSA complaints, 34 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002DODGENEON carries 230 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 34 crashes, 3 fires, 20 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 NEON is power train:automatic transmission with 24 filings, followed by electrical system (14) and air bags:frontal (13). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 2002 NEON, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

230
Complaints
34
Crashes
3
Fires
20
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

230 filings

Crashes Reported

34 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL13
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE12
AIR BAGS9
STRUCTURE9
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
POWER TRAIN7
STRUCTURE:BODY7
SUSPENSION:FRONT6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
TIRES5
STEERING5
ENGINE5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC4

Recalls (6)

06E04900024/05/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.

06E02600023/03/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D

08E03300014/04/2008

SUSPENSION

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS

08E05000011/08/2008

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND A

09E02500011/05/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

09E01200007/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

Recent Complaints

20181231POWER TRAIN

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 CODES POPPING UP THE CAR HAS 88000 MILES ON IT AND I WOULD LIKE TO THINK TRANSMISSIONS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO LAST AT LEAST 150 TO 180 THOUSAND MILES BEFORE GOING BAD THIS IS NOT A CHEAP NOR EASY FIX PLEASE HELP

20170802ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 VEHICLE TO CHEW ON THE WIRES INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE MOUSE TRAPS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

Mileage: 29,000

20170722POWER TRAIN

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.. LUCKILY I WAS ON A LITTLE TWO LANE ROAD WITH NOT MUCH TRAFFIC SO THERE WASN'T TO MANY MAD PEOPLE I FEEL DODGE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THERE PROBLEMS AND PROBLEM CARS.. IM NOT ASKING FOR MUCH JUST FOR MY CAR TO MAKE IT OVER 50000 MILES.

20170609ENGINE

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. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20160516CrashAIR BAGS

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, BUT THE CALL WAS FORWARDED TO VOICEMAIL. THE CONTACT LEFT A VOICEMAIL MESSAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,696.

Mileage: 106,696

20151222CrashAIR BAGS

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

20151101ENGINE

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 IT STILL WON'T CRANK

20150929STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

Mileage: 116,000

20150421STEERING

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 THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 76,000

20141017POWER TRAIN

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. COST ME 2,323. ALSO RIP IN LEFT FRONT AXEL MECHANIC SAYS THESE NEONS ARE KNOWN FOR THIS TROUBLE AND TO FILE WITH YOU. I NEED TO GET REFUNDED IN FULL, THESE CARS SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD. I DO NOT WORK AND IT WAS VERY HARD TO SCRAP UP THE MONEY TO PAY THIS AND OUR LIVES WERE SERIOUSLY IN DANGER ON A BUSY ROAD. I CALLED ON 9-29-14 AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH YOUR WORKER REF #10639796 AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD SEND ME AN EMAIL AND PAPER IN THE MAIL CONSERVING THIS PHONE CALL . I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING. PLUS I WILL SENDING A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY HUSBAND'S JEEP 2000 GAS TANK SHIELD IS ROTTED AWAY AND PIECES MISSING. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

Mileage: 70,503

20140929POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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 INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. ..UPDATED 12/02/14 *BF UPDATED 02/03/15*JB

Mileage: 70,000

20140925SERVICE BRAKES

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

Mileage: 100

20140918CrashSTEERING

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

20140813POWER TRAIN

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 MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL NEON'S. ITS A FLUID LEAK OF OIL. A RECOMMENDED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED MY CAR AND INFORMED ME OF THIS NEWS. HE SAID THAT THE SEALANT IS GONE AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED BY ANY MECHANIC. WHAT HAPPENS NOW? BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM CANNOT BE FIXED AND I'M NOT IN A POSITION TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE, IS THERE A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM? I ALSO HAD TO DISASSEMBLE MY RADIO BECAUSE AFTER REPLACING MY BATTERY, THE ELECTRICAL FUSE WAS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES ALONG WITH THE ALTERNATOR BECAUSE THE RADIO PLAYED AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND WOULD KILL MY BATTERY. *TR

20140813ENGINE

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 MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL NEON'S. ITS A FLUID LEAK OF OIL. A RECOMMENDED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED MY CAR AND INFORMED ME OF THIS NEWS. HE SAID THAT THE SEALANT IS GONE AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED BY ANY MECHANIC. WHAT HAPPENS NOW? BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM CANNOT BE FIXED AND I'M NOT IN A POSITION TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE, IS THERE A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM? I ALSO HAD TO DISASSEMBLE MY RADIO BECAUSE AFTER REPLACING MY BATTERY, THE ELECTRICAL FUSE WAS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES ALONG WITH THE ALTERNATOR BECAUSE THE RADIO PLAYED AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND WOULD KILL MY BATTERY. *TR

20140813ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL NEON'S. ITS A FLUID LEAK OF OIL. A RECOMMENDED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED MY CAR AND INFORMED ME OF THIS NEWS. HE SAID THAT THE SEALANT IS GONE AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED BY ANY MECHANIC. WHAT HAPPENS NOW? BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM CANNOT BE FIXED AND I'M NOT IN A POSITION TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE, IS THERE A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM? I ALSO HAD TO DISASSEMBLE MY RADIO BECAUSE AFTER REPLACING MY BATTERY, THE ELECTRICAL FUSE WAS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES ALONG WITH THE ALTERNATOR BECAUSE THE RADIO PLAYED AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND WOULD KILL MY BATTERY. *TR

20140525TIRES

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. *TR

Mileage: 106,200

20140207STRUCTURE:BODY

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

Mileage: 15,000

20140121ENGINE

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 IS WATER LEAKING INTO THE BACKSEAT FROM SOMEWHERE, STUTTERING WHEN GOING UP HILLS OR OVER 50 MPH; BLOWN OUT STRUTS, REPLACED RADIATOR; EATS OIL..........WHY ISN'T CHRYSLER HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE PROBLEMS. CHECK THE INTERNET........THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS! IT HAS COST ME OVER 2500 IN REPAIRS IN 8 MONTHS! *TR

20140121SUSPENSION

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 IS WATER LEAKING INTO THE BACKSEAT FROM SOMEWHERE, STUTTERING WHEN GOING UP HILLS OR OVER 50 MPH; BLOWN OUT STRUTS, REPLACED RADIATOR; EATS OIL..........WHY ISN'T CHRYSLER HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE PROBLEMS. CHECK THE INTERNET........THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS! IT HAS COST ME OVER 2500 IN REPAIRS IN 8 MONTHS! *TR

Compare 2002DODGENEON to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 DODGE NEON have?
The 2002 DODGE NEON has 230 NHTSA complaints, 34 crashes, 3 fires, 20 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 DODGE NEON?
Yes, the 2002 DODGE NEON has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 DODGE NEON?
The most-complained component for the 2002 DODGE NEON is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 24 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and AIR BAGS:FRONTAL.
Is the 2002 DODGE NEON safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.