Overview & Reviews

A four-speed automatic gearbox replaces the archaic three-speed unit, a new base model is introduced, as is a value-packed SXT. Both SE and ES trims are relegated to fleet-only sales, and all 2002 Dodge Neons get a new "Dodge-signature" (crosshair-style) front end.

• Competent handling, large interior, affordable price.

• Engine lacks refinement, weak frontal offset crash-test scores.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 93.00

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  They shouldve Dodged this Neon! - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Matthew - December 15 - 11:47 pm

  I can honestly say that this has to be one of the worst cars Dodge ever built. My fiancé and I bought ours when it was 10 years old, it only had 90,000 miles on it though. Ever since it was bought, it has nothing but problems. The owner before us was an old lady who had pasted away. She treated the car like it was her first born child so I know the issues didnt come from her driving it. The transmission is terrible. It slips, backfires, and sometimes doesnt even go into gear. The engine has terrible power and constantly leaks oil. The coolant tank leaks. The electronics are terrible. Interior lights dont work anymore. Interior is cheaply made. The dash has bubbles all over it. The back windows leak whenever it storms which makes the inside of the car soaked. The engine is extremely loud, it sounds like you have all the windows down whenever youre driving it. The car vibrates, shakes, and knocks. Headlights have terrible visibility. The only thing thats decent in this vechicle are the speakers. It has a great, stock sound system. The reason Im writing a review on a 14 year old car is because theyre cheap to buy now but I honestly wouldnt waste $500 on this car because youll end up putting 10x that in repairs. Stay away from this car. It shouldnt have ever been made.

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  Unfortunate purchase - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By rostropovich - June 4 - 5:26 pm

  Ive had this car for almost 2 years, and have had problem after problem, regret upon regret. I have treated it like my firstborn, always hoping that after /this/ repair it will run well for a good long time, but no, not a chance. Got it for $2800 at 81000 miles, but put $4000 in repairs in the first year, including rotors, e-brake, sway bar links and bushings, control arm bushings, muffler, transmission mount, shifter cables, steering tie rod and lights. It never quite felt like it was driving nicely even after repairs. The story ends with the transmission failing. UNCLE!

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  Piece of Junk - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By thatguythere13 - December 6 - 3:39 pm

  I bought this car as my first car when I was 16 years old. Believing it was a great car, good size, good MPG, and being that I paid under $6000 with it having less than 30,000 miles I figured it would last me long enough to turn around and sell it for a decent chunk of change. Here it is, 6 years later, Ive vested well over a grand into it in monotonous repairs to a car with under 80,000 (as of today 12/6) should not be having. I think it may finally be back in working shape, but at this point I am sick of it. The amount of money Ive put in repetative repairs is enough to make me want to torch it. Neons have a history of being terribly built. Abide by that fact.

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  02 Dodge Neon (Automatic) - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By andrew30947 - November 16 - 3:01 am

  As I said it is an automatic and Dodge made a programming error in the Neons automatic transmission so thats about the only problem. I bought MJ this year with 83K miles (now 90k) when I bought the car I had no experience in the mechanics and if I had I wouldnt have bought THAT Neon BUT I am glad I did. If you like paying people to fix your car, do not buy a Neon. If you can fix things on your own get it. MJ has been through a LOT (off road, 3 or 4 wrecks, and a half country trip) but she keeps going, I did pay quite a bit to fix her up but a lot was the previous owner (the wrecks were limited to suspension damage and a cracked rim) since the complete fix I havent spent a dime.

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  dodge neon 02 - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By nicole30 - December 22 - 4:23 pm

  This car was great at first(80,000), but after a year with 111,000 miles on it, had to surrender to pick n pull....This car will need extra special help if you want it to last. Cheap, but not a good choice if you want a soid car.

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  Since 2002 - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By menifee3 - July 30 - 6:59 pm

  I have owned this car since 2002. It runs incredibly fantastic. No problems since ownership. I have nearly 90K miles on it and take it into L.A. every day. Runs smooth, 35 mpg Hwy (Higher than officially rated), and an unbelievable air conditioner which I can only run on low, even on hot days, because it gets so cold in the car. The AC is better than the one in my Mercedes! While far from being a chick magnet, this car is the most reliable car Ive ever owned. And Im keeping it!

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  Good at First... - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By eamin637 - June 9 - 10:09 am

  I got my neon almost 3 yrs ago, at first it was nice and it got me around. I got it with 79,000 miles on it. Within the first week the dash got bubbles in it. After that it ran okay, hard, long start and misfiring every once in awhile. 1st yr I had to replace the brakes, rotors, tires, and bushing cost $700. The next year just new bulbs $10. Recently before I got rid of it I had to replace the struts, tire rod, brakes again, stabilizer pin, emergency brake and radiator $900+. I had the final straw when I finished fixing all of that and the catalytic converter went out.. I was terrified of driving the car and I took good care of it with regular maintenance. I would not recommend this car.

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  Great Car! I recommend highly! - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By roodieb - March 27 - 2:03 pm

  I bought this car with 24K miles on it and have put almost 120K on it since then. I commute 60 miles round trip each day and spend alot of time on the road. While the ride is not as smooth as some would like, the handling of the car is good and the reliability has been terrific. I have not had any major repairs that have needed to be done, but have replaced the normal wear parts like tires, brakes and battery. The car handles great in the snow and also on wet roads. The body style is attractive and the lines are clean. The blind spot view is a little limited by the fast back style as well as by the rear spoiler. Once you are used to this and compensate for it, it is not a problem.

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  Not So Great... - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By ilab - February 7 - 10:08 pm

  My dad bought the car 1 year used in 2003, at about 20k. He drove it until last year, then I took over it when he passed away... After 114k, I got rid of it this year. Our family has had its roots in Chrysler vehicles since the 1940s, but this car as been by far the worst. The average MPG that both my dad and I got was less than the EPA estimated CITY MPG of 24! We were both very conservative drivers. Next problem was that the transmission had to be completely rebuilt twice! It needed new brakes about 3 times a year the rear suspension needed replaced. It had some bad electronic problems, as well as stupid problems. The safety rating for this is horrible as well. Dont buy one of these.

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  Dodge this Neon - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By MrOtoko - August 30 - 1:23 am

  Bought this car w/salvage title. Owned since 04, and put 75k mi on it (113k total now). There seem to be a lot of technical problems with it, but Im not sure if that is due to the salvage title. Cant mess with the tranny or it will go out. Most everything went out by 100k. AC is cold, but I think I have radiator fan problems so it overheats. Mechs say its an O-ring problem but they are WRONG all the time (already fixed that 3 times!!! and still overheating - even when idle and no AC on. Car was discontinued for a reason.