2002 Dodge Neon Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  24
• Axle assembly
  3
• Automatic transmission › Torque converter
  1
• Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
  1
• Manual transmission
  1
• Clutch assembly
  1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  311%
• 25k–50k
  1036%
• 50k–75k
  932%
• 75k–100k
  518%
• 100k–150k
  14%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Dodge Neon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

While driving a 2002 Neon, either the transmission/brakes locked up on the car, stopping abrubtly without any warning on interstate 400 in atlanta, ga. Due to the mechanical failure of the auto, my daughter's auto was then rear-ended by another car. Both autos were totallled, neither driver was charged with the accident, but she was written up "mechanical failure" on the accident report. I believe that the Neon auto itself was at fault/defective. I have another 2002 Neon which just had to be repaired August 1-8th, 2003 for the "transmission locking up and shutting down" and had to have the torque converter replaced. I located a service bulletin from Chrysler on the internet which described this condition that was occuring in the 2001-2002 neons. I believe Chrysler should be held responsible to this accident. …

2002 Dodge Neon automatic transmission failed while driving on the highway while pulling off exit at very slow speed was hit from behind by another car -with minor damage to rear bumper. Transmission was replaced car had 40,000 miles.

On feb 14, 2006 while driving to work the car started making dinging noise and the transmission started slipping. The temperature gauge went to hot and I heard a bubbling sound coming from the engine area. As I pulled the car into a parking lot, the car stopped. Had the car towed to the dealership in town and they ran a check through the onboard computer system. What they finally found was that the radiator had an internal failure (that the radiator seal had failed) and leaked between the radiator and the transmission causing the coolant and transmission fluids to mix. …

Driving at 49.9K miles on the odometer. This being 19.9K miles after warranty expires (30K mile warranty). Just made a long trip from hampton, va to appleton, wi. About a week after arriving in wi, I am heading to work and start to hear a high-pitched whine. Within about 10 minutes of hearing this whine, I was able to pull into a park and ride just as the car stopped moving. I was still able to rev the engine, but no acceleration. I placed the car into park and turned it off. I started it back up, and still could not get the car to move. Placed the car into neutral, and the car still would not move when I tried to push it. Found out, after car was towed to an auto shop, that a pinion bolt inside the transmission (2002 model) had broken off and was the cause to the seizure of the vehicle. …

Driving on rt224 and car started squealing, lost power in gas pedal, got off busy road, turned on side st. And had no gas power, had to call my husband to pick me and my uncle up, he lost paid work , mechanic came to parking lot, he said transmission blew, had it towed to shop. Cost me 2,323. Also rip in left front axel mechanic says these neons are known for this trouble and to file with you. I need to get refunded in full, these cars should not be on the road. I do not work and it was very hard to scrap up the money to pay this and our lives were seriously in danger on a busy road. I called on 9-29-14 and filed a complaint with your worker ref #10639796 and she said she would send me an email and paper in the mail conserving this phone call . I have never received anything. Plus I will sending a complaint about my husband's Jeep 2000 gas tank shield is rotted away and pieces missing. …

I was driving on the interstate when, with no warning, I felt a jolt (like being hit from behind), then a strange sound from the engine compartment. I was able to control the car and pull off to the side of the road where I discovered that I had lost all gears. The car would not shift and would not move. I had to have it towed home (about 80 miles) where I took it to a transmission shop. They did a complete diagnostic evaluation and determined that the transmission was completely blown along with the cooling system radiator. I had to have the transmission rebuilt and the radiator replaced at a cost of almost $1,800. After talking with several transmission shops and reading comments on various websites on the internet, it appears that this type of transmission failure is very common with the Dodge neons. It would seem reasonable that this be addressed in a recall by Chrysler.

While driving on the highway felt a jolt and loss of power. The speedometer then dialed all the way up and then back to zero. Pulled off to check it out, as I slowed down on the offramp heard a crunching sound and the car shut off. Started right back up but wouldn't go into gear, the transmission had locked up! I couldn't even put it in neutral to push it off the offramp. Had it towed to a shop where they put in a used, not new or rebuilt but a used transmissions with 60,000 miles on it for $1,800. The car had 81,000 miles at the time of failure and is barely six years old! I have also had to replace the throttle body and catalytic converter before 75,000 miles. By far the transmission is the most unacceptable component failure. At only 81,000 miles and six years old Dodge needs to recall these automatic transmissions!

My 2002 Dodge Neon es has had nothing but problems leading up to the expiration of my warranty. Everything from electrical issues to radiator problems to the transmission. I took it for service at 65,000 miles because the transmission was slipping. My dealership said it was the radiator and the transmission was fine. I knew they were lying and sure enough, at 72,000 miles, 2,000 miles after my warranty expired, my transmission is dead. Chrysler corp. Refuses to fix or even discount a transmission for me saying that my car is "above and beyond" any warranty. I don't consider 2,000 miles above and beyond, especially considering the car had 5,000 miles when I bought it and was considered brand new.

Vehicle would not shift into drive, upon having the vehicle towed to the garage we were informed, it had a sizable hole in the transmission and they also found an oil leak. Total repair cost exceeded $600. This vehicle is a 2002 Dodge Neon and we are the original owners. The vehicle has always received proper care as far as oil changes, tires, spark plugs etc. The vehicle has not even reached 60,000 miles yet, and we're encountering such problems. In addition, the technician informed us, there are a number of small leaks, but it would be very, very costly to repair each leak, thus they only fixed what was causing the transmission to slip and the oil leak, which was also substantial.

Have taken the car to dealership three times for the same problem. When driving at high speeds would drop from fifth gear into third. As you kept driving it would get worse. And at times would not go into gear at all. This last time we went into the dealership they told us that the manufacturer had route wires to tps wrong and they were damaged. They repaired this about a week ago. The car now jerks when going into gear, runs very poorley when wet weather and shakes severley when at a stop. I do not feel confident driving on the vehicle on the freeway, we would trade in but the trade in value is at $3500, that is crap considering we bought the car for $13,000 two years ago!!

Transmission complaints in other Neon years