Is the 2002 Dodge Neon a bad year?
173 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Neon years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2002 Dodge Neon are in line with other Neon years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 Neon owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 54,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrain | 36 (21%) | 44k–71k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 26 (15%) | 22k–83k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 25 (14%) | 33k–88k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 22 (13%) | 18k–84k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 21 (12%) | 29k–88k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 15 (9%) | 16k–62k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Exterior lighting | 11 (6%) | 50k–90k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 18 (10%) | 14k–52k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Engine and cooling | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 54,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 173 complaints: 26 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 12 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Dec 2018.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My car was working fine. All of a sudden would not go into gear and made loud noise. Took it to aamco and they tell my throttle regulator box blew up.
On september 24,2004 my transmission became stuck in first gear, causing my car to drive inefficiently. It is putting a strain on my transmission.
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!).
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 54,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2002 Dodge Neon: 6
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The part numbers packaged with incorrect nuts are: K7147, K7329, K8683, and 104353. These parts were made for use on the various vehicles listed above. The nuts included in the packaging for these ball joint assemblies are missing the intended prevailing torque (Self-locking) feature.
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 9
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Dodge Neon. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Service Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Headlight failure
Headlight failure
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Neighbouring years
2001 Neon: 146 complaints, keep it · 2003 Neon: 202 complaints, keep it.
Every Dodge Neon year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · All Neon years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2002 Dodge Neon a bad year?
173 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Neon years. At 54,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge Neon?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (36), engine (26), electrical system (25), air bags (22), body structure (21).
How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Neon have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E025000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E012000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 08E050000), Suspension (NHTSA 08E033000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.