NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
173 reports1,000 miles · Nov 8, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE IS EXHIBITING HESITATION PROBLEMS WHEN ENGINE IS AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND WHILE UNDER LOAD SUCH AS CLIMBING A MEDIUM GRADE ROAD. ENGINE FEELS LIKE ITS STARVING FOR FUEL. HAD ONE CASE WHERE ENGINE STALLED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT FOR NO REASON. ANOTHER ISSUE THAT CONCERNS ME T…
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VEHICLE IS EXHIBITING HESITATION PROBLEMS WHEN ENGINE IS AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND WHILE UNDER LOAD SUCH AS CLIMBING A MEDIUM GRADE ROAD. ENGINE FEELS LIKE ITS STARVING FOR FUEL. HAD ONE CASE WHERE ENGINE STALLED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT FOR NO REASON. ANOTHER ISSUE THAT CONCERNS ME THE MOST IS WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP INTO TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE BOGGED DOWN WITH NO POWER AT ALL MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ON COMING TRAFFIC. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT CHRYSLER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM IS TO COME OUT WITH AN UPDATE FOR THE ENGINE COMPUTER BUT AFTER 1 YEARS AND 20000 MILES, I HAVE NOT SEEN A SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM. THIS CONDITION HAS EXISTED SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IN APRIL OF 2002.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10045757
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10042501
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Hydraulic
THE SCREW ON THE REAR OF THE RADIATOR BLEW OUT AND DAMAGED THE RADIATOR'S HOSES. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK MADE A LOUD NOISE, AND THE BRAKES SQUEAKED WHEN ENGAGED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10037931
38,000 miles · Sep 8, 2003
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHILE DRIVING A 2002 NEON, EITHER THE TRANSMISSION/BRAKES LOCKED UP ON THE CAR, STOPPING ABRUBTLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING ON INTERSTATE 400 IN ATLANTA, GA. DUE TO THE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE AUTO, MY DAUGHTER'S AUTO WAS THEN REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER CAR. BOTH AUTOS WERE TOTALLLED, NEITHER DRIVER WAS CHARGED WITH THE ACCIDENT, BUT S…
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WHILE DRIVING A 2002 NEON, EITHER THE TRANSMISSION/BRAKES LOCKED UP ON THE CAR, STOPPING ABRUBTLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING ON INTERSTATE 400 IN ATLANTA, GA. DUE TO THE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE AUTO, MY DAUGHTER'S AUTO WAS THEN REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER CAR. BOTH AUTOS WERE TOTALLLED, NEITHER DRIVER WAS CHARGED WITH THE ACCIDENT, BUT SHE WAS WRITTEN UP "MECHANICAL FAILURE" ON THE ACCIDENT REPORT. I BELIEVE THAT THE NEON AUTO ITSELF WAS AT FAULT/DEFECTIVE. I HAVE ANOTHER 2002 NEON WHICH JUST HAD TO BE REPAIRED AUGUST 1-8TH, 2003 FOR THE "TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP AND SHUTTING DOWN" AND HAD TO HAVE THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED. I LOCATED A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM CHRYSLER ON THE INTERNET WHICH DESCRIBED THIS CONDITION THAT WAS OCCURING IN THE 2001-2002 NEONS. I BELIEVE CHRYSLER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO THIS ACCIDENT. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM, BUT THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT IT WILL TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 3-5 MONTHS TO EVEN INVESTIGATE AND REACH ANY CONCLUSION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10037442
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2003
Unknown Or Other
2002 DODGE NEON. *MR *CB *JB
NHTSA ODI #10032404
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEMS. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND INDICATED THAT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A LEMON ,AND THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO BE BUYING THE VEHICLE BACK.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10030071
15,000 miles · Jul 18, 2003
Air Bags
THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH AND DID NOT GO OUT UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BACK. *NLM *CB *JB
NHTSA ODI #10003981
38,000 miles · Jul 15, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE AND DOWN SHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR TO STOP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10027339
9,000 miles · Jul 13, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
I HAVE A DODGE NEON 2002 WITH 10,000. MILES ON IT. RECENTLY MY CAR IDLES NOW BETWEEN 4-500 RPM. DRIVING MY CAR; CAME TO A STOP LIGHT MY CAR STALLED. NOW SITTING AT RED LIGHTS/ STOP SIGNS THE RPM'S DROPALL THE WAY TO 300 RPM CAR STARTS TO ACT LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WI…
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I HAVE A DODGE NEON 2002 WITH 10,000. MILES ON IT. RECENTLY MY CAR IDLES NOW BETWEEN 4-500 RPM. DRIVING MY CAR; CAME TO A STOP LIGHT MY CAR STALLED. NOW SITTING AT RED LIGHTS/ STOP SIGNS THE RPM'S DROPALL THE WAY TO 300 RPM CAR STARTS TO ACT LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. ONE THE TECH'S WHO TOOK THE CAR FOR A ROAD TEST SAID THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE COMPUTER. THE CAR IS DECIDING ON ITS OWN FOR THE RPM'S TO DROP BUT DOES NOT SHOW UP ON THE COMPUTER ANALYSES. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY ARE WAITING FOR A "FLASH UPGRADE TO BE INSTALLED"; ALSO THE CD PLAYER IN THE CAR HEATS UP THE CD'S BURNED MY HAND WHEN I TRIED TO TAKE IT OU. ON 7-9-03 THEY GAVE ME A LOANER AND ON 7-12-03 THEY TOOK IT BACK. THEY SAID THE ONLY REASON THEY GAVE ME THE LOANER IS BECAUSE I WAS UPSET. THEY REPLACED THE CD PLAYER BUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR STALLING IS STILL NOT FIXED. ON 7-13-03 CAR STALLED AT A STOP SIGN. ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. YOU NEED TO GET INVOLVED BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT DOING ANYTHING AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT'. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10026009
Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THE BRAKES WILL LOCK UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10026144
NHTSA investigations
3EA06019 · 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.
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