1st Aug 2006, 07:40

I own a 2002 Dodge Neon SXT and let me tell you it was the biggest waste of money... I had to put more money into fixing this car than the car was actually worth, only because the loan was even more! If I did not owe money on this car, it would be scrap metal.

I've had to have the factory tires replaced not long after I bought it... maybe 3 months after I bought it, it needed new ball bearings, and a new rim. Now, almost 3 years later, it fails inspection, I pay 1000 dollars to fix everything... tires, the e-brake... and somehow, the overflow tank for the coolant springs a leak, and my car goes on a fast downward spiral to overheating... just after 75,000 miles. so it overheats, and it turns out the piece of crap needs a WHOLE NEW ENGINE.

Like I said... if I didn't owe a lot of money on it still... I would have trashed this thing... but I paid another 2000 bucks (after I got a deal) for a new engine to be put in.

As soon as my loan is over, I'm buying a Honda!

7th Nov 2006, 10:00

I also own a 2002 Dodge Neon bought used in '03. Ran great until the battery light went on and had to have the alternator replaced, not once, not twice oh and not even three times it is in the shop as I type to get yet the fifth alternator replacement in a little over a year. I asked the service guy what can cause all the alternators to go bad and he said, " I don't Know!" (What great Customer Service). A week after having the fourth alternator installed I was stranded on the expressway for 2 hours waiting for a tow truck because the neon needed a new transmission. I am trying to find out what a possiblity could be for the alternator to keep crapping out, so that once they replace this one I won't be back there in 3 months to get a new one. If anyone has any answers please post a response. Thank you!

7th Nov 2006, 18:28

I have a 2005 SXT and it runs great. I believe there was some sort of malfunction in all 2002 neons. I actually have a friend who owns a 2002 neon sxt and he has the exact same problems you guys have. My car compared to his car is like night and day. My car used to be an enterprise rental and I bought it with 30,000 miles. I haven't had any problems. Just because it is a fun ride does not mean one should overwork it either. The best neons to get are 03 models on up. If you can't shift right with a manual transmission, just get an automatic. It might be pricier, but you won't regret it when you don't have to replace the clutch or the transmission. Also remember to do background checks on the cars you buy, will save you a lot of trouble.

2nd Sep 2009, 16:51

I bought a 02 Neon. The car is very reliable, never made any noise, ran good, quiet engine, just overall a perfect car.

2nd Nov 2009, 18:03

My 2002 dodge neon has been nothing but problems; transmission has been replaced, front end and back end needed to be replaced, trunk leaks and the brakes make noise when I come to a stop.

In the 2002 Dodge Neon, the company was trying a new transmission out and stopped using it in 2003.

Good luck to everyone who owns a 2002 Dodge Neon.

23rd Jan 2010, 20:00

My son has a 2002 Dodge Neon. We got a call from him this afternoon saying that all the transmission fluid is now on the street. We have heard from other owners about the 2002 Neon, mainly telling us NOT to buy one. My neighbor knows cars well and he had one for a very SHORT period of time. My son bought one because of the way the car looked, and it was affordable at the time for him. Shouldn't there have been some kind of recall on this car? Dodge should stand behind their cars, but they don't. I hope it's just a gasket and not a new transmission.