MYRModel Year Report

2002 Dodge Neon

▲ Better than typical
2002 Dodge Neon
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:39:10.714Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
173
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

21% of complaints

Complaints per year

1993: 3 complaints 1993 1994: 9 complaints 1995: 985 complaints 1995 1996: 611 complaints 1997: 390 complaints 1997 1998: 339 complaints 1999: 116 complaints 1999 2000: 337 complaints 2001: 146 complaints 2002: 173 complaints 2002 173 2003: 202 complaints 2004: 94 complaints 2005: 95 complaints 2005
1993: 3 complaints 1993 1994: 9 complaints 1994 1995: 985 complaints 1995 1996: 611 complaints 1996 1997: 390 complaints 1997 1998: 339 complaints 1998 1999: 116 complaints 1999 2000: 337 complaints 2000 2001: 146 complaints 2001 2002: 173 complaints 2002 173 2003: 202 complaints 2003 2004: 94 complaints 2004 2005: 95 complaints 2005
1993: 3 complaints 1993 1994: 9 complaints 1994 1995: 985 complaints 1995 1996: 611 complaints 1996 1997: 390 complaints 1997 1998: 339 complaints 1998 1999: 116 complaints 1999 2000: 337 complaints 2000 2001: 146 complaints 2001 2002: 173 complaints 2002 173 2003: 202 complaints 2003 2004: 94 complaints 2004 2005: 95 complaints 2005

2002: 173 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19933
19949
1995985
1996611
1997390
1998339
1999116
2000337
2001146
2002173
2003202
200494
200595

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

21% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving down the road and heard a whirring noise from under the hood and I lost the ability to go into drive and reverse come to find out it was a clogged trans filter so I replaced it and the car ran great for about 2 weeks and now I have...

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-12-31

Engine and engine cooling

17% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing engine and radiator assembly.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Electrical system

16% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIRE

Air bags

14% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-06

Also filed under Engine

Consumer states that she was involved in a front passenger side collision at approx 40-45MPH. Both passenger and driver air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-08

Driver and passenger side airbags failed to deploy during a fourty-five mile per hour front end collision. Dealer has been contacted. *ak during the accident the consumer tried to stop with brakes but his tires locked up.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-02-12

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic and tires

Structure

12% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing body and frame and members.

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2002-11-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-04-23 Safety belt cinching latch plate
  2. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…

    Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2006-07-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2006-11-22 Headlight failure
  5. I
    2006-11-22Engineering analysisClosed 2007-11-07 Headlight failure
  6. R
    2008-05-22Suspension08E033000 Federal mogul is recalling 6,903 aftermarket ball joint assemblies shipped between November 9, 2007 and March 26, 2008, which may have been packaged with incorrect nuts. The part numbers packaged…

    Remedy: Federal mogul will notify owners and replace the parts free of charge. The recall began on May 22, 2008. Owners can contact federal mogul at 877-489-6659.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

    Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Dodge Neon — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 37 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 30 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 27 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 08E033000 · Suspension
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Dodge Neon reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Dodge Neon is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge Neon?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Neon have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.