RoadVitals

2002 Dodge Neon Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Jan 21, 2014
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 173 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Dodge Neon submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming suspension

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

EngineSuspension
Filed Jan 21, 2014

WHERE TO START! STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BAD WHEN IDLING AND HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE COMPUTER! THERE SEEMS TO BE THE SAME COMPLAINTS WITH THESE CARS WITHOUT ANY ACTION FROM CHRYSLER. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS TWICE IN 6 MONTHS IN MY DAUGHTERS CAR, THERE IS WATER LEAKING INTO THE BACKSEAT FROM SOMEWHERE, STUTTERING WHEN GOING UP HILLS OR OVER 50 MPH; BLOWN OUT STRUTS, REPLACED RADIATOR; EATS OIL..........WHY ISN'T CHRYSLER HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE PROBLEMS. CHECK THE INTERNET........THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS! IT HAS COST ME OVER 2500 IN REPAIRS IN 8 MONTHS! *TR

NHTSA ID
10560889
Incident
May 13, 2013
Suspension
Filed Jul 1, 2010

HAD A VEHICLE INSPECTED AND WAS REJECTED, SENT BACK TO DEALER, THEY TOOK TO ANOTHER INSPECTION STATION AND PUT A PASSING STICKER ON THE VEHICLE. IT FAILED FOR FOG LIGHTS, E BRAKE AND FRONT SUSPENSION. THEY FIXED THE FIRST TWO AND THAT WAS IT. I'VE HAD THE CAR A LITTLE OVER TWO DAYS OR SO AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION IS STILL NOT FIXED. THE VEHICLE RIDES ROUGH AND SHAKES AND MAKES NOISES WHEN GOING OVER 50 MPH. I'M AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE A CHILD TO TRANSPORT IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10340891
Incident
Jun 28, 2010
Suspension
Filed Feb 14, 2010

HAVE A 2002 DODGE NEON WITH A LITTLE MORE THAN 101,000 MILES ON IT. BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE PUSHED RIGHT THROUGH THE FRONT SUB FRAME AND IF THEY LET GO THIS CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS CRASH THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED.BECAUSE THE SUB FRAME OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE GONE ALREADYAND CHRYSLER DON'T WANT TO ADMIT THAT THEY ARE USING CHEAP STUFF IN THESE TYPES OF CARS. AND IF YOU KEEP DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE WORSE IT WILL GET AND OTHER STUFF WILL HAPPEN LIKE THE ALTERNATOR WILL LET GO AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED. SEEING CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IT IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10310387
Incident
Dec 29, 2009
Mileage
101,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Dec 13, 2007

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. YOU WILL LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING IF THE BUSHING AND BOLT LET GO. ON AVERAGE MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP REPLACES 3 A WEEK. SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10211809
Incident
Nov 10, 2007
Mileage
42,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Nov 7, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP TO HAVE THE STRUTS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION K-MEMBER CORRODED THE VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,888. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF THE UNDERCARRIAGE CROSS MEMBER RUSTED. UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ID
10208134
Incident
Nov 5, 2007
Mileage
60,888 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 15, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2002 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR THE REPAIR OF A SCRAPE ON HER BUMPER. THE THE MECHANIC ADVISED HER THAT THE STABILIZER ARM AND BUSHINGS WERE A KNOWN DEFECT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ENOUGH INCIDENTS TO WARRANT A RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED SHE ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THE SAMETHING. THE VEHICLE HAS 32,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED SHE DID NOT HAVE THE STABILIZER AND BUSHINGS REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLEWAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32000.*AK

NHTSA ID
10182609
Incident
Feb 1, 2007
Mileage
32,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Nov 17, 2006
Crash reported

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON NORMAL RURAL ROADS, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY VEERED TO THE LEFT HITTING A SCHOOL BUS AND BANKING OFF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL SNAPPED OFF THE AXEL CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE CONTACT NOTICED SHAKING ON THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO PERFORMED TIRE BALANCING AND ROTATION. AS THE SHAKING PERSISTED, THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED A COMPLETE WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED THE ALIGNMENT AND THE SHAKING DISAPPEARED. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED A FEW MILES AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD THE ALIGNMENT PERFORMED.

NHTSA ID
10173740
Incident
Nov 16, 2006
Mileage
66,640 mi
Suspension
Filed Dec 29, 2005

HAVE 2002 DODGE NEON WITH JUST OVER 58,000 MILES ON IT. WHILE BEING INSPECTED FOUND THAT BOTH CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE SHOT. APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH NEONS WHICH CHRYSLER DOESN'T WANT TO ADMIT. IF THESE HAD FULLY LET GO TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10146510
Incident
Dec 29, 2005
Mileage
58,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jan 11, 2005

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR COIL SPRINGS. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND FELT SOMETHING RUBBING AGAINST THE REAR RIGHT TIRE. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND SAW THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN, AND WAS RIGHT ON TOP OF THE TIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10107180
Incident
Jan 10, 2005
Mileage
45,600 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 18, 2003

BOTH FRONT END CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *LA

NHTSA ID
10047126
Incident
Nov 10, 2003
Suspension
Filed Apr 23, 2003

VIBRATION IN FRONT SUSPENSION AND DEALER IS UNABLE TO LOCATE SOURCE AND CONTINUES TO STALL IN REPLACING THIS VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MORE THAN IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10016392
Incident
Apr 20, 2003
Mileage
7,100 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 10, 2003

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP REALIGNED THE VEHICLE BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10015571
Incident
Sep 10, 2002
Mileage
8 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 19, 2003

I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN TWICE FOR A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE FIRST TIME I BROUGHT IT IN THEY SAID IT WAS DUE TO TIRE WEAR AND THEY REPLACED THE TIRE FREE OF COST. I TOOK THE CAR IN ABOUT FIVE MONTHS LATER BECAUSE IT WAS STILL DOING THE SAME THING THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL TIRE WEAR AND THEY NOTHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ID
10007820
Incident
Feb 7, 2002
Mileage
33,326 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 15, 2002

(1) THE VEHICLE DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT AT SPEED (2) THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT ON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP-THE STEERING WHEEL ACTUALLY MOVES TO THE RIGHT AS DOES THE VEHICLE IF YOU DON'T PREVENT IT FROM VEERING OFF THE ROAD (3) THE WHOLE CAR WOBBLES FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT LOW SPEED-THE SENSATION IS LIKE THERE IS AN EGG SHAPED TIRE (4) TAILPIPE MISALIGNED AND MELTED PORTION OF REAR BUMPER.*AK (DOT NUMBER: M6MF TIRESIZE: P185/60R15)

NHTSA ID
758312
Incident
Jan 1, 2002
Suspension
Filed Jan 8, 2002

WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL WOULD CONSTANTLY VIBRATE. HARD TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHEN VIBRATION HAPPENS. *AK

NHTSA ID
8001764
Incident
Nov 2, 2001

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .