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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.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
173Owner complaints

Model-year median: 173

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

3Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2002 Dodge Neon

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 173 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 3 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Power Train: 36 reports
  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 28 reports
  • Electrical System: 25 reports
  • Air Bags: 22 reports
  • Structure: 21 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    116
    1999    337
    2000    146
    2001    173
    2002    202
    2003    94
    2004    95
    2005
    Compare all Neon years →

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

    What owners reported most

    Power Train
    36    Engine And Engine Cooling
    28    Electrical System
    25    Air Bags
    22    Structure
    21
    All reported categories
    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    17    Suspension
    15    Exterior Lighting
    11    Unknown Or Other
    8    Steering
    6    Engine
    5    Tires
    5    Equipment
    4    Seat Belts
    4    Vehicle Speed Control
    3    Visibility
    3    Fuel System, Gasoline
    2    Latches/locks/linkages
    1    Service Brakes
    1    Wheels
    1

    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

    Vehicle Speed Control complaints

    3 reports
    Clear category filter
    55,021 miles · Aug 8, 2005
    Vehicle Speed Control

    AFTER DRIVING IN 2 HOURS OF TRAFFIC I PARKED MY 2002 NEON. AS I PARKED IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. IT STILL DOES SO BUT ONLY WHEN REVERSING. WHEN I BRAKE AS I AM REVERSING ITS AS IF THE BRAKE TIGHTENS UP AND DOESN'T WANT TO BRAKE. THIS TO ME IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WHAT IF THERE IS A CHILD BEHIND ME AND I NEED THE BRAKES…

    Read full complaint

    AFTER DRIVING IN 2 HOURS OF TRAFFIC I PARKED MY 2002 NEON. AS I PARKED IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. IT STILL DOES SO BUT ONLY WHEN REVERSING. WHEN I BRAKE AS I AM REVERSING ITS AS IF THE BRAKE TIGHTENS UP AND DOESN'T WANT TO BRAKE. THIS TO ME IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WHAT IF THERE IS A CHILD BEHIND ME AND I NEED THE BRAKES TO ACTUALLY WORK???*JB

    NHTSA ODI #10131985

    80,000 miles · Jul 15, 2005
    Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

    DT: WHILE DRIVING IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. THE OWNER GLANCED AWAY FOR A MOMENT, LOOKED BACK AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE ACCELERATOR KICKED IN. THERE WAS A FEELING OF THE VEHICLE BRAKING AGAINST ACCELERATION. THEN THE VEHICLE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT. THERE WAS…

    Read full complaint

    DT: WHILE DRIVING IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. THE OWNER GLANCED AWAY FOR A MOMENT, LOOKED BACK AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE ACCELERATOR KICKED IN. THERE WAS A FEELING OF THE VEHICLE BRAKING AGAINST ACCELERATION. THEN THE VEHICLE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT. THERE WAS NO INVESTIGATION INTO THE ACCIDENT, HOWEVER, THE OWNER BELIEVED THE ACCELERATOR MAY HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS ACCIDENT. SINCE THEN IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATIONS. *AK *SC

    NHTSA ODI #10126047

    Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2004
    Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

    CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND THE VEHICLE JUMPED INTO PASSING GEAR. CONSUMER STATED THAT LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A TRUCK WAS BEHIND HIM AND HE NEEDED TO GET MORE SPEED, SO HE STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND, THEN IT STALLED. HE KEPT TELLING THE DEALER ABOUT…

    Read full complaint

    CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND THE VEHICLE JUMPED INTO PASSING GEAR. CONSUMER STATED THAT LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A TRUCK WAS BEHIND HIM AND HE NEEDED TO GET MORE SPEED, SO HE STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND, THEN IT STALLED. HE KEPT TELLING THE DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AGAIN. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE JUMPED FROM 65-68 MPH BACK AND FORTH. *AK THE POWER TRAIN WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND OR JUMP AND HAVE ALMOST RUN INTO OTHER VEHICLE'S. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THE VEHICLE TO BE REMEDIED OR REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB

    NHTSA ODI #10066767

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect 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.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.