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2002 Dodge Neon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Dodge Neon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 173.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

113 reports with mileage · 60 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

26 crash reports3 fire reports12 injury reports

Structure complaints

21 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2008
Structure

MY 2002 DODGE NEON TRUNK ALSO FILLS UP WITH WATER WHEN IT RAINS AND FLOWS INTO THE BACKSEAT AND ON THE FLOOR OF THE BACK. IT'S BEEN ON GOING FOR A YEAR OR TWO. WHEN I FIRST NOTICED IT, I TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THE GUY SAID THAT HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND TOOK APART MY BACK SEAT AND SAID HE COULDN'…

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MY 2002 DODGE NEON TRUNK ALSO FILLS UP WITH WATER WHEN IT RAINS AND FLOWS INTO THE BACKSEAT AND ON THE FLOOR OF THE BACK. IT'S BEEN ON GOING FOR A YEAR OR TWO. WHEN I FIRST NOTICED IT, I TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THE GUY SAID THAT HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND TOOK APART MY BACK SEAT AND SAID HE COULDN'T FIND WHERE THE LEAK WAS FROM. HE SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ME LIKE $100 TO JUST SPRAY IT WITH A HOSE AND SEE WHERE THE LEAK WAS. I SAID FORGET IT. I WENT TO OTHER SITES AND SAW THAT IT'S A COMMON FLAW IN THIS CAR. EVENTUALLY, MY BROTHER IN LAW LOOKED AT IT, AND HE UNPLUGGED A HOLE IN THE WHEEL WELL OF MY TRUNK...PROBLEM SOLVED! I WILL NEVER BUY A DODGE AGAIN, ESPECIALLY A NEON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231066

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2008
Structure

EVERYTIME IT RAINS, I GET A TRUNK FULL OF WATER AND MY REAR FLOORBOARDS GET SOAKED. BY LOOKING AT THIS COMPLAINT SITE, I SEE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. WRITING DODGE MAY NOT HELP, BUT I HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228070

24,000 miles · Apr 24, 2008
Structure

DODGE NEON FILLS WITH WATER IN THE TRUNK EACH TIME IT RAINS, AND FILLS THE REAR FLOORBOARDS. I DISASSEMBLED THE CAR TO GET THE MOLD OUT. THIS IS DUE TO FAULTY REAR TAIL-LIGHT SEALS. I HAVE REPLACED THEM 3 TIMES. THEY LAST ABOUT 4 OR 5 MONTHS AND START LEAKING AGAIN. DODGE SHOULD BE ASHAMED. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. …

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

NHTSA ODI #10225642

1 miles · Dec 17, 2007
Structure

ANY TIME IT RAINS, THE REAR FLOOR PAN AND REAR SEATS AS WELL AS THE TRUNK FILL WITH WATER AND BECOME UNUSABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212097

60,888 miles · Nov 7, 2007
StructureSuspension

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 THE UNDERCARRIAGE CROSS ME…

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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 THE UNDERCARRIAGE CROSS MEMBER RUSTED. UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ODI #10208134

50,000 miles · Dec 12, 2006
StructureUnknown Or Other

TRUNK LEAKS WITH WATER COLLECTING IN THE SPARE TIRE WELL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10175908

9,800 miles · Dec 6, 2006
Structure

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PLASTIC ADJUSTING VENT FOR THE HEAT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN GNAWED ON, AND THE AIR COMING OUT SMELLED LIKE FECES. THE CONTACT ASCERTAINED THAT A MOUSE HAD GOTTEN IN TO THE VENTILATION SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SPACE WHERE THE WIPER POST PROTRUDED THROUGH THE TOP OF THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXPRES…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PLASTIC ADJUSTING VENT FOR THE HEAT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN GNAWED ON, AND THE AIR COMING OUT SMELLED LIKE FECES. THE CONTACT ASCERTAINED THAT A MOUSE HAD GOTTEN IN TO THE VENTILATION SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SPACE WHERE THE WIPER POST PROTRUDED THROUGH THE TOP OF THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED A CONCERN THAT THE MOUSE COULD HAVE CHEWED THROUGH THE WIRES IF GIVEN THE CHANCE. THE MAIN CONCERN WAS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SECURED FROM THE FORCES OF NATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ODI #10175333

36,000 miles · Oct 14, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingStructure

DT: THE CONTACT RECENTLY PURCHASED A VEHICLE, AND WHEN CHECKING OUT THE VEHICLE IT HAD SERIOUS PROBLEMS. THE FRAME WAS BENT, THE RADIATOR WAS BENT INTO THE FAN, THE AIR CLEANER WAS NOT BOLTED ON THE SIDE, THE RADIATOR WAS PAINTED RED AND BENT, THE CORE SUPPLIER WAS DAMAGED, AND UNDERNEATH THE HOOD THE WIRING WAS FRAYED. THE …

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DT: THE CONTACT RECENTLY PURCHASED A VEHICLE, AND WHEN CHECKING OUT THE VEHICLE IT HAD SERIOUS PROBLEMS. THE FRAME WAS BENT, THE RADIATOR WAS BENT INTO THE FAN, THE AIR CLEANER WAS NOT BOLTED ON THE SIDE, THE RADIATOR WAS PAINTED RED AND BENT, THE CORE SUPPLIER WAS DAMAGED, AND UNDERNEATH THE HOOD THE WIRING WAS FRAYED. THE CONTACT JUST HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC, AND HE FOUND THE AFOREMENTIONED THINGS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE CONTACT WAS UPSET THAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD SELL A CAR IN THAT CONDITION. THE CAR IS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT WOULD CONTACT FTC ON THE DEALERSHIP SELLING THE CAR IN THAT CONDITION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10139652

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2005
Structure

THE TRUNK IN THE CONSUMER'S 2002 DODGE NEON HAD A LEAK THAT THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND. *NM WATER ACCUMULATED IN THE SPARE TIRE SPOT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10115666

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2004
Structure

WATER GETS IN THE BACK SEAT THROUGH THE TRUNK. THERE USUALLY IS BETWEEN 1 TO 2 INCHES. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10101727

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA06019 · Headlight Failure

Opened Nov 22, 2006 · Closed Nov 7, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:fog Lights; Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Exterior Lighting:fog Lights

THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch

THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Exterior Lighting:headlights

THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

PE06028 · Headlight Failure

Opened Jul 28, 2006 · Closed Nov 22, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:fog Lights; Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Exterior Lighting:fog Lights

ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.

Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch

ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.

Exterior Lighting:headlights

ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.

PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate

Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.