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EnginePart report

2002 Dodge Neon Engine Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
3%of 173 total for the year
Median mileage
106,550miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Dodge Neon, 3% of the 173 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,550 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“I driving off the interstate wen car shut off idled tried to crank it up but it only made whining noise and won't start I also notice my car was smoking so I let the car cool off before I put water... The next day I went and a new timing belt put on and a crank shaft sensor and it still won't crank”

NHTSA complaint #10787551, filed 2015-11

“Good morning, I have a 2002 Dodge NEON that I have put money into and I have experienced dishonesty from mechanics until now; paying lots of money to fix a problem that cannot be fixed. I was informed last week that this leak on my car cannot be fixed because its a manufacturer problem. Apparently, this is a problem with all NEON's. Its a fluid leak of oil. A recommended mechanic diagnosed my car and informed me of this news. He said that the sealant is gone and cannot be repaired by any mechanic. What happens now? …”

NHTSA complaint #10621973, filed 2014-08

“Where to start! Steering wheel shakes bad when idling and had to replace the entire computer! There seems to be the same complaints with these cars without any action from chrysler. We have had to replace the front control arm bushings twice in 6 months in my daughters car, there is water leaking into the backseat from somewhere, stuttering when going up hills or over 50 MPH; blown out struts, replaced radiator; eats oil..........why isn't chrysler held responsible for these problems. Check the internet........there are thousands of the same complaints! …”

NHTSA complaint #10560889, filed 2014-01

“The contact owns a 2002 Dodge NEON. While driving various speeds, a knocking sound was coming from the engine and the engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine piston detached and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10994128, filed 2017-06, 200,000 miles

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200555%
200466%
200253%
200111%
199610%

Other parts of the 2002 Dodge Neon

Transmission and drivetrain
36 complaints
Engine cooling
28 complaints
Electrical system
25 complaints
Air bags
22 complaints
Body and structure
21 complaints
Brakes
18 complaints
Suspension
15 complaints
Exterior lighting
11 complaints
Other or unknown
8 complaints
Steering
6 complaints
Tires
5 complaints
Equipment
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Dodge Neon

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology