25th Nov 2005, 05:02
I purchased a Neon about a year and a half ago, the 1.6 SE. I have to disagree with the other comments as I have had no problems with my Neon, since it`s purchase. I am very pleased with the vehicle. I have test driven lots of other vehicles, but none can compare to the comfort and power of the Neon. I`m just a little worried about why it`s value drops so quickly in South Africa. Very good care all in all. Would definitely and intending to purchase another.
2nd Dec 2005, 23:40
I as well had my Neon in the shop every 6 months. Was great for the first year since purchased new. Dealer has been no help. I as well wish I spent a little more on the Honda. Numerous repairs on major components have made the Neon a very costly car.
10th May 2006, 14:23
Has anyone figured out what the knocking noise is in their 2002 Neon LE? I am currently still paying mine off which I just bought last year and that noise has been there since a few months after I drove it off the lot. I don't know what to do I plan on going back to school.
29th Jun 2006, 10:00
To the person who was wondering what the engine noise was...
It is normal engine noise when idling. My Neon makes the same noise and the engine works great. As soon as you get the revs up, it seems to become smoother. Also, the engine has awesome performance! I don't regret buying a Neon.
4th Aug 2006, 07:46
My 2002 Neon had a bad knocking noise and I complained directly to Chrysler as the dealer here said it was "normal". In a short time, the Service Manager came to my house and said they would replace the "short engine" under warranty. That solved the piston slap causing the knock.
6th Sep 2007, 15:48
My neon shakes when it reaches 70 km/h then it suddenly stops once it reaches 80 km/h does anyone else experience this.
25th May 2008, 19:42
I'm really glad I stumbled across this website. My Neon too does the knocking noise when first started in the morning, but after driving, it stops. I have changed belts, water pumps etc. etc. etc., because they really don't know what it is, and keep giving me the "could be". But I've also had endless problems with everything to do with the wheels. Now the A/C isn't working and it's really not worth replacing since the car is only worth $1000-$1500 black booked.
I love my car, but I'm pretty disappointed that it's only a 2002 and I'm looking to retire it next year (if it survives). For what we paid for it, unfortunately I wouldn't recommend it.
29th Dec 2008, 18:46
I bought a 2002 Neon LE back in October, and don't have much for bad comments to say about it other than the engine noise when I first start it up in the morning, and the brakes screeching like a banshee, even though the front and rear brakes are new on it.
And I wish it had a manual tranny instead of automatic.
7th Feb 2009, 16:02
I bought a used 2002 Chrysler Neon LE from a used car dealership last week. It's a real nice looking car gloss black. It has 93,000 Km/s on the odometer, but I noticed it's got a ticking sound when it idles.. or a knocking sound..
I am glad I seen this site because I was thinking the motor has problems. And it's common. I just think that it's strange for a car to have a noisy motor at 93.0000 kms. All my other vehicles have 300.000 plus kms and they still run.
This 2002 Neon has lots of power for the size of the motor - I'm surprised. Almost the same as my Sunfire. I just hope this one person is right about it being an injector noise or a tension belt thing.
27th Mar 2009, 00:17
I had my Neon (02,LE) for a while now and I learnt that the knocking noise when its cold, the squeaking noise from the brakes, the gear jerking, and that time my transmission got contaminated are all normal things to expect from a Neon. In the end... it all depends on how good you treat it.
10th May 2009, 22:11
I'm about to go into my first year of college in September, and I just bought a 2002 Neon LE. I was sort of rushed and didn't bother looking up the reviews, which I'm starting to regret.
Reading all these reviews, the most common problems seem to be:
Knocking sound when it idles or starts cold in the morning.
Ticking sound when idles, supposed to be fuel injectors or timing belt??
Squeaky brakes.
Stalls frequently.
But I have heard good things about the car, just more cons than pros. I'm getting it safetied tomorrow, and hopefully getting the insurance within a day or two, so I can't drive it yet. I really hope this car doesn't give me as many problems as I've heard. I can't afford to put loads of money into repairs for a car, especially when I'm about to start college.
12th Jan 2010, 14:58
I have purchased a 2002 Neon LE a month ago. When I purchased the car, it had a tick and a knock. My old man told me not to worry about the sounds, because it is normal for the Neon to sound this way. Although my engine light turned on last night, and today the car would not push forward whenever I gave it some gas.
I'm scared the engine is going to go, and it only has 141,000km. If anyone else has had any of these problems, feel free to email me at everett.powers@gmail.com, OR if anyone knows anything regarding this car's history, I would appreciate the help.
Thanks so much!
24th Mar 2010, 23:20
We are going on our third Neon.
The first was a 1997 Neon, which we purchased for our oldest daughter. It had 67,000 Km. when we bought it and 229,000 km when we sold it. We put 4 tires on it.
The second Neon we purchased was a 1998 Neon, which was purchased for our 2nd daughter. It had 123,000 km. It has been ran out of oil half a dozen times, as well as being overheated just as many. This youngster does not know what a dipstick is, or maybe she forgot how to open the hood. Anyway, after all the abuse this little car never fails. We just fill up the oil and antifreeze, and away it goes, and amazingly runs very nice. It now has 284,000 Km.
We now purchased a 2002 Neon with 63,000 Km. It also has piston slap when cold, which is nothing to worry about. It sounds bad because the different metals used internally warm up and expand at different rates, which causes the noise. Once the engine runs a few minutes, the noise goes away.
I have a 2000 GMC pickup with a 5.3 V8. It has had piston slap when I bought it at 65000 Km. and now has 319,000. Still doesn't use oil and runs great.
My only concern with the 02 Neon is the fuel consumption. It is only getting about 29 MPG Highway. The older ones averaged 35 to 36 MPG. Does anyone have any ideas?
28th Oct 2005, 08:10
I have to agree with the two previous comments. I have had the same problems with my Neon. I am really glad that I bought the extended warranty or else I would have put out a lot of money in this car. The car stalls when the weather is damp or wet. I have had to have the ignition wires changed twice. I have also had the catalytic converter changed as well. The car is currently in the shop for a knocking noise in the engine.
It is a nice looking car however, I do regret not spending a little more and buying something else.