Complaints
230
Crashes
34
Fires
3
Injuries
20
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Dodge Neon Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#124 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:55,784 mi
Crash-related:1
#214 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:78,348 mi
#313 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:39,286 mi
Crash-related:13
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Dodge Neon.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 24 | 1 | — | 55,784 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 14 | — | — | 78,348 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 13 | 13 | — | 39,286 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 12 | 1 | 1 | 45,803 mi | |
| Airbags | 9 | 8 | — | 55,723 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 9 | — | — | 47,482 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 7 | — | — | 68,391 mi | |
| Body Structure | 7 | — | — | 93,114 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 6 | — | — | 37,945 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 6 | — | — | 35,358 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 5 | 1 | — | 106,550 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 5 | 1 | — | 39,730 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 5 | 1 | — | 79,828 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 | — | — | — |
Automatic Transmission
24
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
55,784
Electrical Faults
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,348
Air Bags:Frontal
13
complaints
Crashes
13
Fires
—
Avg Miles
39,286
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
45,803
Airbags
9
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
—
Avg Miles
55,723
Structural Problems
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
47,482
Transmission / Drivetrain
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
68,391
Body Structure
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,114
Engine & Cooling
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
37,945
Suspension:Front
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
35,358
Engine Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
106,550
Steering Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
39,730
Tire Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
79,828
Electrical System:Wiring
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Dodge Neon. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Neon Years
2002 Dodge Neon — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Dodge Neon reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2002 Dodge Neon has 230 NHTSA complaints, 34 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 24 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Dodge Neon?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (24 complaints, avg 55,784 mi); Electrical Faults (14 complaints, avg 78,348 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (13 complaints, avg 39,286 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Dodge Neon?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 58,408 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Dodge Neon include 34 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 20 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Dodge Neon have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Dodge Neon as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 Dodge Neon?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Neon reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Dodge Neon
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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