Two problems related to dash wiring have been reported for the 2002 Dodge Neon. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Dodge Neon based on all problems reported for the 2002 Neon.
While the vehicle was parked in a parking lot, some one informed the consumer that vehicle was on fire. By the time the consumer reached the vehicle all of the windows were covered with soot. Fire department arrived and extinguished the flames, and concluded that the fire started behind the dashboard.
This car has used more than 10 quarts of oil since new (not counting changes). It has just over 20k miles now and still uses oil. It does not smoke or leak. The fuel mileage is nowhere near the advertised mileage. The dealer was contacted regarding no brake lights just after purchase. After two trips to the dealer (and the service writer telling us that we removed the cigarette lighter adapter wrong), they discovered the wiring harness for the backup lights was crushed by the shifter in reverse and shorted the lights. After complaining about poor starting and shuddering after a cold soak, the dealer replaced the injector o-rings, which solved the shudder, but not the mileage. Nothing has helped the oil usage, not even the two trips to the dealer to replace a baffle in the valve cover and an "oil consumption" test, which we performed. Yes, it uses oil. I should've bought my daughter a Nissan, or, like I just bought myself, a brand new Ford pickup. This was my first and last daimler-Chrysler product. . . Ever!.