Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Dodge Neon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Neon. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of the preceding vehicle. The air bags did not deploy without warning. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The manufacturer was contacted, but the call was forwarded to voicemail. The contact left a voicemail message. The failure mileage was 106,696.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Dodge Neon. While driving approximately 5 MPH in the rain, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle traveling approximately 30 MPH in the parking lot. The contact then rear ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel prior to the failure. The contact sustained injury to her back. The police was not called to the scene. The vehicle was taken to an auto collision shop for repair estimates. The insurance company has not yet determined if the vehicle was completely destroyed. The failure and current mileages were 84,000.
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. My front airbags didn't deploy and I had to be transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital. I suffered a head injury as well as numerous body impact injuries from the crash. According to the report from the impound my engine was found 40 feet from my vehicle. My first concern was of course my airbags and why they failed to deploy.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Dodge Neon. The air bag cover came off and made it very difficult to hold the steering wheel. The cover was placed over the horn and caused the horn to sound. The contact lost control of the steering once and struck a curb. The dealer stated that the excessive heat loosened the trim piece. The manufacturer stated that the air bag cover was not covered under warranty and they would not be able to assist. The speed was unknown. The current mileage was 35,536 and failure mileage was 34,900.
I had a car wreck on May 3 @ 5 pm the point of impact was around 25-30 MPH. My airbag didn't deploy and do to that I was thrown into my windshield which I cracked it. I had to go to the doctor for my injuries. I am only 4 foot tall and I sit too close to my steering wheel to begin with and in away I am glad that it didn't go off. But if I had a passenger with me they could of been hurt too. I also need to know how I can get a switch put in to turn my bags on and off.
Complaint received via e-mail." my daughter was involved in a rear end collision which was bad enough to cause the car insurance company to declare the vehicle repairs would exceed the value of the car, so it was totaled. The air bags did not deploy during this accident. Since this vehicle was totaled I by allstate insurance company dallas, tx region.
My daughter was in a car accident with her 15mo old baby. A vehicle ran a red light and hit her vehicle making it spin around. The front of her vehicle was all smashed in. It was a head on collision. No airbags was inflated.
While the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle was hit from behind causing the vehicle to spin around and hit another vehicle. The front air bags did not deploy. The driver received injuries to the chest and head area. Please provide further details.
Was involved in an accident where I drove into the back of a car going 35 MPH and neither of the front air bags deployed. I am concerned in that this car was bought for my daughters, and had they been driving it might have been a different story.
Driver and passenger side airbags failed to deploy during a fourty-five mile per hour front end collision. Dealer has been contacted. During the accident the consumer tried to stop with brakes but his tires locked up.
Airbag complaints in other Neon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2002 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Dodge Neon, 13% of the model year's 173 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Dodge Neon airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2002 Dodge Neon. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Neon airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 43% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 20 crashes, 0 fires and 13 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.