2002 Dodge Neon Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2002 Dodge Neon most often describe automatic transmission trouble — slipping, harsh or delayed shifting, whining noises and in some cases a transmission that stops driving the car. Cooling-system failures where the radiator mixes coolant with transmission fluid, headlight and dash-wiring faults, and air bags that did not deploy in a crash also appear repeatedly in complaints. Many reports arrive between roughly 35,000 and 80,000 miles, and several describe gradual noises or rough running before a sudden failure.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Automatic transmission slips, whines or stops driving

   • 31 complaints (18%)
   • median 59,000 mi at 4.6 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,800 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2002–2018

   Complaints describe the automatic transmission slipping, whining, jerking in and out of gear, getting stuck in first gear, or dropping out of gear at highway speed. Several owners say the car then stops moving altogether and had to be towed, with shops recommending a used, rebuilt or replacement transmission; one owner reports turning the car off and back on only for repairs to follow a loud whine that grew with speed. Reported from about 34,000 to 90,000 miles, with many entries in the 45,000-80,000 range.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive from cold through several upshifts and a steady highway cruise, listening for whine or slip; ask whether the fluid and filter were serviced and whether the transmission was ever rebuilt or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Took my 2002 NEON sxt in for transmission warranty work in 2004...first chrysler denied the claim stated that the transmission was not covered (had an extended warranty!). Had my speed sensors replaced in december 2005 & am taking the car in again tomorrow to have them replaced again.”

   NHTSA complaint #10155728, filed 2006-04, 71,000 miles

   “My 2002 Dodge NEON es has had nothing but problems leading up to the expiration of my warranty. Everything from electrical issues to radiator problems to the transmission. I took it for service at 65,000 miles because the transmission was slipping. My dealership said it was the radiator and the transmission was fine. I knew they were lying and sure enough, at 72,000 miles, 2,000 miles after my warranty expired, my transmission is dead. Chrysler corp. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10160239, filed 2006-06, 65,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Headlights and dash wiring intermittently fail

   • 38 complaints (22%)
   • median 47,912 mi at 4.4 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2002–2013

   Complaints describe headlights that suddenly go out, fog lamps that flicker on their own, and a lever that must be held to keep the lights on. Several owners report smoke or a burning electrical smell from the steering column and cases where wiring, a harness or the multifunction switch burned out and was replaced; dash gauges and the odometer also stop working on some cars. Spread across roughly 20,000 to 70,000 miles, with some later high-mileage reports.

   What to check: Check all lighting functions including high/low beam changeover and fog lamps, look for scorched or melted connectors near the steering column, and confirm the instrument cluster gauges read correctly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10146722, filed 2006-01, 65,900 miles

   “I have a 2002 Dodge NEON sxt. For about a year now my fog lights have not worked properly. When my headlights are on my fog lights flicker on and of on their own. If I go over a bump the turn on another bump turns them off. They even flicker on and off on smooth road. I thought nothing about it until I started smelling something electrical burning. I then saw a stream of white smoke coming out of the top of my steering column through the hazard light button. This happens everytime I turn on my headlights. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10236230, filed 2008-07, 90,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Air bags did not deploy in a collision

   • 20 complaints (12%)
   • median 38,364 mi at 4.6 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 20 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2016

   Owners describe frontal and rear impacts in which the air bags did not deploy, sometimes at moderate speeds and sometimes in rollover crashes. Complaints also mention the air bag cover lifting off the steering wheel and interfering with steering and the horn, and an air bag warning light that stayed on; dealers in these reports either could not duplicate the issue, attributed it to heat and trim, or said it was outside warranty. Reported from about 15,000 to 106,000 miles, with several under 40,000 miles.

   What to check: Watch the air bag warning light on start-up and through a full drive cycle, inspect the steering-wheel cover for looseness or contact with the horn, and ask whether any air bag diagnostics have been run.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 totaled I by allstate insurance company dallas, tx region.”

   NHTSA complaint #10106709, filed 2005-02, 38,364 miles

   “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 head injury as well as numerous body impact injuries from the crash. According to the report from the impound my engine was found 40 feet from my vehicle. My first concern was of course my airbags and why they failed to deploy.”

   NHTSA complaint #10469439, filed 2012-08, 13,100 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Rusted front K-member and undercarriage

   • 38 complaints (22%)
   • median 61,944 mi at 5.8 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • filed 2002–2015

   Complaints describe the front suspension cross member and undercarriage rusting through, found during strut work or a state inspection, with owners told it should be checked at a dealer. Some report a cracked tie rod and stiff steering, and others note water collecting in the trunk and rear floorboards and causing a musty smell; one owner reports a cracked front fender. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 70,000 miles, with some at higher mileage.

   6 related service bulletins

   What to check: Get the car on a lift and inspect the front cross member, subframe mounts and tie rods for rust or perforation, and check the trunk floor and spare-tire well for water, dampness or mold.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2002 Dodge NEON leaks through the trunk and runs into the backseat floorboards. After a rain or snow melt (let alone a carwash) water is pooled up in the spare tire area of my cars trunk and then runs through to the backseat floorboards. The car now has a terrible musty, moldy smell.”

   NHTSA complaint #10373712, filed 2011-01, 50,000 miles

   “Water collects in the trunk causing mold, this affects my athsma. Seems this affects many owners and seems it should be recalled because it affects the air quality you breath.”

   NHTSA complaint #10563363, filed 2014-02, 15,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Radiator failure mixing coolant into transmission

   • 30 complaints (17%)
   • median 49,824 mi at 5.2 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $900 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2017

   Owners describe overheating, a bubbling sound from the engine bay and the temperature gauge going hot, followed by transmission slipping; the dealer then finds the radiator's internal seal failed and coolant entered the transmission fluid. Others report a cracked radiator or coolant loss, and one owner links that event to later solenoid and transmission rebuild work. Mostly reported in the 40,000-85,000 mile range.

   What to check: Look at the coolant for oil or discoloration and the transmission fluid for a milky or pink tint; ask whether the radiator has been replaced and whether the cooling system was pressure tested.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On feb 14, 2006 while driving to work the car started making dinging noise and the transmission started slipping. The temperature gauge went to hot and I heard a bubbling sound coming from the engine area. As I pulled the car into a parking lot, the car stopped. Had the car towed to the dealership in town and they ran a check through the onboard computer system. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10150791, filed 2006-02, 68,348 miles

   “The radiator broke in my 2002 Dodge NEON. The coolant went into the transmission. This was last 7/2007. Next the transmission solenoid went 4/2008. Now the transmission needs to be rebuilt. 7/2008 in talking to numerous repair shops I am finding out this is a common problem and happens all the time with these neons. This is a safety issue. I think its a defect with the way this was built.”

   NHTSA complaint #10233455, filed 2008-07, 82,835 miles

Buying note. Check the transmission and cooling system carefully on a test drive, since owners frequently describe transmission work and radiator-related coolant and fluid mixing, and inspect the front cross member and trunk floor for rust or water. Asking for service records on transmission and radiator repairs, and confirming the lighting and air bag warning systems work, gives a clearer picture of how well an individual car has been maintained.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.