VehicleVerdict

2002 Dodge Neon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2002 Dodge Neon sits mid-pack among Neon years: 230 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 230, with 6 recalls and 3 closed investigations. Complainants reported 20 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (38), engine (35), and electrical system (27), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

230

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

3

Investigations

34

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

20

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Neon years?

Neon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted1,415 complaints1993: 4 complaints1994: 10 complaints1995: 1,415 complaints1996: 887 complaints1997: 553 complaints1998: 451 complaints1999: 152 complaints2000: 489 complaints2001: 199 complaints2002: 230 complaints2003: 290 complaints2004: 141 complaints2005: 133 complaints
Neon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Neon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Dodge Neon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission3817%
Engine3515%
Electrical System2712%
Airbags2511%
Body & Structure219%
Brakes209%
Suspension157%
Other125%
Lighting115%
Tires & Wheels63%
Steering63%
Visibility & Wipers42%
Seat Belts42%
Speed Control31%
Fuel System21%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2002 Dodge Neon have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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 1-909-598-7589.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

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 ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

08E033000SuspensionApril 14, 2008 · 6,903 units

Defect

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 VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

Consequence

THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

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. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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 DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ 2002 DODGE NEON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE PULLING OFF EXIT AT VERY SLOW SPEED WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER CAR -WITH MINOR DAMAGE TO REAR BUMPER. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED CAR HAD 40,000 MILES. *NM ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 5, 2006 · crash

“AT APPROXIMATELY 3:00 A.M. ON A SATURDAY THE 4TH OF AUGUST I WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH I SWERVED TO AVOID A MEDIUM DOG/COYOTE AND MY VEHICLE HIT THE DITCH AND ROLLED. MY FRONT AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND I HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL. I SUFFERED A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 4, 2012 · crash

“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, SOME ONE INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. BY THE TIME THE CONSUMER REACHED THE VEHICLE ALL OF THE WINDOWS WERE COVERED WITH SOOT. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES, AND CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRE STARTED BEHIND THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 16, 2004 · fire

“COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL." MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WHICH WAS BAD ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE CAR INSURANCE COMPANY TO DECLARE THE VEHICLE REPAIRS WOULD EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE CAR, SO IT WAS TOTALED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THIS ACCIDENT. SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 22, 2004 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP TO HAVE THE STRUTS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION K-MEMBER CORRODED THE VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,888. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 5, 2007

2002 Dodge Neon — common questions

Is the 2002 Dodge Neon reliable?

It is close to typical for the Neon: 230 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2002 Neon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (38 complaints), engine (35 complaints), electrical system (27 complaints).

Does the 2002 Dodge Neon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Dodge Neon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Dodge Neon under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Neon years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Neon years to avoid are 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 1998. The cleanest record among Neon years belongs to 1993.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.