Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Dodge Neon
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Dodge Neon has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 173 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09E025000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08E050000 FMVSS 108/HEADLAMPS/MISSING AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08E033000 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E049000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E026000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 36 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 27 complaints
- Electrical System 25 complaints
- Air Bags 22 complaints
- Structure 21 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 17 complaints
Of the 173 complaints on file, 26 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 173 complaints, owners report 16 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Dodge NEON has a below-average reliability rating due to frequent issues reported in the powertrain and engine systems. Six recall campaigns and 173 owner complaints highlight a range of concerns, though many complaints focus on recurring problems in key systems. The evidence is not robust, limiting statistical confidence.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| powertrain | 60,000–100,000 miles | $1,200–$2,500 | common |
| engine and cooling | 70,000–110,000 miles | $1,000–$2,200 | common |
| electrical system | 80,000–120,000 miles | $300–$750 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Tire rotations and balances
- Brake system inspections
- Coolant flushes
- Transmission fluid changes
- Spark plug replacements
- Air filter replacements
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual engine noises
- Difficulty shifting gears
- Electrical failures
- Brake noises
- Airbag warning lights
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Dodge Neon at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.