NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 184 owner complaints for the 2002 Dodge Neon. Most complaints involve power train (38) and engine and engine cooling (31). The EPA rates it 24–27 mpg combined.
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 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.
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 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.
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 WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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 TORQUE CONVERTER OUT OF RANGE CODES POPPING UP THE CAR HAS 88000 MILES ON IT AND I WOULD LIKE TO THINK TRANSMISSIONS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO LAST AT LEAST 150 TO 180 THOUSAND MILES BEFORE GOING BAD THIS IS NOT A CHEAP NOR EASY FIX PLEASE HELP”
“I GOT MY OIL CHANGED, TIRES ROTATED, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS REPLACED ON APRIL 13 2011 AROUND 6:30PM. MY OIL CHANGE TOOK APPROXIMATELY 15 MIN. AFTER THE OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION, I PAID AND WENT STRAIGHT HOME. I WAS NOT INFORMED BY ANYONE AT VALVOLINE THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR. I GOT IN MY CAR AROUND 7:40AM ON APRIL 14TH AND HEADED TOWARDS MY INSURANCE COMPANY ON ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY. AS I ENTERED ONTO BUSINESS 85, MY CAR STARTED TO SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND I COULD FEEL HEAT ON MY FEET NEAR THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE. AS I TRIED TO BRAKE AND SLOW THE CAR DOWN, SOMETHING UNDER THE HOOD CAUGHT FIRE AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE CAR AND THE CAR ENDED UP SLIDING INTO THE BACK OF A PICK UP TRUCK AND THE HOOD AND FRONT END OF THE CAR COMPLETELY BURST INTO FLAMES. THE BRAKES ON THE CAR WERE REPLACED SUPPOSED HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN DECEMBER OF 2010. BECAUSE OF THE INCIDENT, I SPRAIN MY WRIST, DISLOCATED MY TOE, AND AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE. *TR”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE VEHICLE DOOR, A MOUSE WAS SEEN RUNNING FROM THE FLOOR OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND UNDER THE SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RODENT ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO CHEW ON THE WIRES INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE MOUSE TRAPS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neon Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 31 | 27 | $2,300 | 329 |
| Neon Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
6 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 184 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (38), engine and engine cooling (31), electrical system (26). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2002 Dodge Neon at 24–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).