2002 Dodge Neon review from North America
"This is a low quality, cheaply manufactured lemon"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Shaky and loud clanking engine idle.
Electrical problems from day 2.
Low MPG.
General comments?
My parents came home with this car for me right before I moved to CA. They were afraid that my older Ford Escort wouldn't make the 2k trip.
After having it for 2 days, the radio completely died. It now blinks on and off, but doesn't function at all.
After the first couple of weeks I would have to boost the car every morning before work, because the battery was dead. I took it to the Dodge dealership, who had it for a week, and they said they had no idea what was the problem. They even went so far to say that "it appears to have fixed itself." Wrong.
I have had continuous problems with this car including:
- Loud engine.
- Rough idle, to the point of having to shift into neutral at stop lights.
- Loud clanking engine sounds when I first start it up.
- It's occasionally dead when I try to start it, even though I've had the battery replaced. I now carry a battery pack booster.
- Not so good mpg. Perhaps 25 mpg.
I should have kept my old car. Never had any problems with it. But I do know that my next car (I'll be trading very soon) is not going to be an American one!
Recommended reviews
  | Fun, reliable car |
| Reasonably inexpensive, nice looking piece of junk |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| First year of ownership | 2005 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Engine and transmission | Automatic |
| Performance marks | 3/10 |
| Reliability marks | 3/10 |
| Comfort marks | 3/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 3/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 30000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 59000 miles |
| Previous car | Ford Escort |
| Date of Entry | 14th June, 2008 |