Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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 servicing the vehicle, the contact discovered that the subframe was rusted and partially fractured. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
I noticed my spare tire and 4-way tire iron rusting about a year after purchasing the vehicle. I didn't correlate this to a problem with moisture until a couple of years later when I began smelling a moldy smell . After further investigation I noticed water accumulation after rain or freeze thaw cycles. The repair shop wanted $300 .00 to replace the trunk weather stripping . I refused to accept their diagnosis and left. While at home I took a hose and ran water over the trunk area and looked for obvious signs of water penetration around the trunk joints and stripping. I found no obvious leak . I started to look at the rear light assemblies and noticed water getting in behind the gaskets. I have not received a recall notice for this defect and would like your organization to look into this. …
Dt: the contact recently purchased a vehicle, and when checking out the vehicle it had serious problems. The frame was bent, the radiator was bent into the fan, the air cleaner was not bolted on the side, the radiator was painted red and bent, the core supplier was damaged, and underneath the hood the wiring was frayed. The contact just had the car inspected by a mechanic, and he found the aforementioned things wrong with the car. The contact was upset that the dealership would sell a car in that condition. The car is a 2002 Dodge Neon. The contact would contact ftc on the dealership selling the car in that condition.
Dodge Neon fills with water in the trunk each time it rains, and fills the rear floorboards. I disassembled the car to get the mold out. This is due to faulty rear tail-light seals. I have replaced them 3 times. They last about 4 or 5 months and start leaking again. Dodge should be ashamed. They are aware of the problem. Each time you go to the dealer (I've been to 9 different ones) they are "all" aware of the problem and 4 or 5 have actually "laughed" about it. This was my first Dodge product, and the last Dodge product for myself or anyone in my family as long as I live.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Neon. The contact stated that water would enter the vehicle and accumulate on the rear floor boards. The failure would also occur when it did not rain. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the dealer stated that the seals on the vehicle caused the failure. The contact felt that the failure May be due to a leak on the rear brake lights. There was also a leak present in the trunk. The contact felt that this was a manufacturers defect. The failure mileage was 150,000 and the current mileage was 165,000. The VIN was not available.
Dt*: the contact stated the plastic adjusting vent for the heat appeared to have been gnawed on, and the air coming out smelled like feces. The contact ascertained that a mouse had gotten in to the ventilation system of the vehicle through the space where the wiper post protruded through the top of the hood. The contact expressed a concern that the mouse could have chewed through the wires if given the chance. The main concern was that the vehicle was not secured from the forces of nature. The vehicle was not seen by a dealer, however the manufacturer was notified.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Neon. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and she noticed that there was a puddle of water on the rear floor boards. The contact also stated that the failure occurred after it rained. The failure recurred on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and independent repair shop, but they were unable to locate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Neon. The contact was driving in reverse approximately 4 MPH when the vehicle exhibited an abnormal cracking noise and the steering wheel became very stiff and difficult to turn. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop where the contact was told that the frame was severely rusted and the tie rod was fractured. The tie rod was replaced. The failure and current mileage was 68,600. Updated 05/02/11 updated 05/11/11
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Neon. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for an unrelated repair when she was advised that the cross member was rusted. The mechanic stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and advised the contact to call the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 64,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Neon. The contact stated that water would leak through both the driver and passenger side tail lights and into the spare tire wheel well, causing mold to form on the rear interior seats. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 128,801.
Body complaints in other Neon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2002 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the body & structure of the 2002 Dodge Neon, 12% of the model year's 173 complaints. The component named most often is body (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Dodge Neon body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure 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 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
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.