Illustration2002 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
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Neon years →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
300–25K
3025–50K
2450–75K
1175–100K
13100–150K
5150K+
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
What owners actually said
173 reportsBACK SEAT FLOOR FLOODS IN HEAVY RAINS (POOLS OF STANDING WATER). TRUNK ALSO SOAKED. SMELLS HORRIBLE AND IS DIFFICULT TO DRAIN/REMOVE WATER. NO DAMPNESS OF SEATS OR AROUND WINDOW/DOOR AREA. (PROPERTY DAMAGE AT THIS POINT IS ODOR-RELATED.)*JB
HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED WHEN CHANGING FROM HIGH BEAMS TO LOW BEAMS. I HAD NO LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS ON A VERY DARK ROAD,WHERE THERE ARE MANY DEER. THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH ( HEADLIGHT/TURN SIGNAL) WAS REPLACED. THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE CAR HAD REPLACED THE SAME PART AT 36,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE DOES HAVE FOG…
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HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED WHEN CHANGING FROM HIGH BEAMS TO LOW BEAMS. I HAD NO LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS ON A VERY DARK ROAD,WHERE THERE ARE MANY DEER. THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH ( HEADLIGHT/TURN SIGNAL) WAS REPLACED. THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE CAR HAD REPLACED THE SAME PART AT 36,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE DOES HAVE FOG LAMPS BUT I DON'T USE THEM.
HAVE 2002 DODGE NEON WITH JUST OVER 58,000 MILES ON IT. WHILE BEING INSPECTED FOUND THAT BOTH CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE SHOT. APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH NEONS WHICH CHRYSLER DOESN'T WANT TO ADMIT. IF THESE HAD FULLY LET GO TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *NM
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
OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED THREE TIMES IN THIS CAR. EACH TIME I HAVE ASKED FOR AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY A YEAR OLD BATTERY WOULD GO BAD. THE EXPLANATION LAST WEEK WAS "A SHORT IN THE BATTERY, NOT CAUSED BY THE CAR." SINCE THE FIRST 2 TIMES IT WAS REPLACED BY THE WARRANTY, I CAN'T UNDERSTAND TH…
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OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED THREE TIMES IN THIS CAR. EACH TIME I HAVE ASKED FOR AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY A YEAR OLD BATTERY WOULD GO BAD. THE EXPLANATION LAST WEEK WAS "A SHORT IN THE BATTERY, NOT CAUSED BY THE CAR." SINCE THE FIRST 2 TIMES IT WAS REPLACED BY THE WARRANTY, I CAN'T UNDERSTAND THIS ISSUE. THIS TIME THE BATTERY WAS NOT COVERED. EACH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, IT HAS BEEN WITHOUT WARNING, NO LIGHTS FLASHING, NOTHING. JUST GO TO START THE CAR AND NOTHING. I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED EACH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. CLEARLY, EITHER THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE BATTERIES BEING INSTALLED, OR THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH MY CAR. EITHER WAY, IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE COMPANY. AS IT IS, I HAD TO SHELL OUT $150 LAST WEEK. *JB
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…
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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
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…
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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
THE GAUGES, (GAS, RPM'S, OIL, TEMPERATURE) ON MY 2002 DOGE NEON WILL GO HAYWIRE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THE BELL FOR THE DOOR WILL ALSO GO OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING. I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I'M DRIVING OR HOW MUCH GAS I HAS LEFT. AND THE BELL FOR THE DOOR WILL CONSTANTLY RING. I TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALER WHO RAN SOME TESTS ON IT AN…
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THE GAUGES, (GAS, RPM'S, OIL, TEMPERATURE) ON MY 2002 DOGE NEON WILL GO HAYWIRE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THE BELL FOR THE DOOR WILL ALSO GO OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING. I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I'M DRIVING OR HOW MUCH GAS I HAS LEFT. AND THE BELL FOR THE DOOR WILL CONSTANTLY RING. I TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALER WHO RAN SOME TESTS ON IT AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. IT SEEM TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM.
BACK IN 2003 I TURNED MY VEHICLE OFF AND IT WOULDNT START AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD SO I CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE THEY TOOK IT TO CARMAX IN LOS ANGELES, CA FOR AT THE TIME I WAS LIVING IN THE AREA. CARMAX TOLD ME THE BATTERY WAS DISLODGED I FOUND THIS FUNNY BECUASE I HAVE NEVER TOUCHED THE BATTERY THE VEH…
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BACK IN 2003 I TURNED MY VEHICLE OFF AND IT WOULDNT START AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD SO I CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE THEY TOOK IT TO CARMAX IN LOS ANGELES, CA FOR AT THE TIME I WAS LIVING IN THE AREA. CARMAX TOLD ME THE BATTERY WAS DISLODGED I FOUND THIS FUNNY BECUASE I HAVE NEVER TOUCHED THE BATTERY THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD. WHEN I HAD TURNED THE KEY ALL THE LIGHTS WENT CRAZY AND IT WOULDNT START. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE BATTERY HAD DRAINED ITSELF. WELL THEY CHANGED THE BATTERY AND EVERYTHING WAS OK UNTIL NOW. ABOUT 1 YEAR AND HALF LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE SEATBELT LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT AND THE SPEDOMETER STARTED TO BLINK. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. I GOT A JUMP TO GET HOME AND IT BLINKED THE WHOLE WAY THERE. I THEN TURNED THE CAR OFF WHEN I GOT HOME. WHEN I WENT TO THE CAR IN THE MORNING TO GO TO WORK THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. I CALED AAA AND THEY GAVE ME A JUMP AND I WENT TO THE AUTO PLACE AND GOT A BATTERY IT HAS BEEN A FEW HOURS AND ITS OK RIGHT NOW BUT FOR HOW LONG. THEN I READ ABOUT THIS PERSON HERE THAT WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS I DID AND SHE NEEDED TO HAVE HER CAR ALL REWIRED. I AM TAKING TO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SUGGEST THAT ANYONE ELSE DO THE SAME.
Official recalls
0No 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
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.