The car has always had a leak in the trunk that has caused pools of water behind the back seats.
The car also had a very loud engine and did not shift smoothly.
After a year of driving it the transmission gave way without warning. The dealer said there was rust in the transmission filter, and it took three weeks to rebuild the transmission.
A year later, while driving, the transmission and the radiator both broke at the same time and exchanged fluids. This causes me needing both a new radiator and transmission and paying to have the systems flushed a number of times.
A year after that incident the engine light came on and the car began to jerk. I needed a new solenoid pack. When driving it away from the dealer, the engine light came on again and I needed the transmission computer reset.
The next day the car drove rough again (jerking, lurching, making noises, etc.) So I took it back and was told that they didn't see anything wrong with it.
Two days later the car jerked and the engine light came back on. It is now at the dealer to see what is wrong with it now.
I am glad to see that other 2002 Dodge Neon owners are dealing with the same issues that I have dealt with for the past four years.
The car was very nice looking, handled well in extreme snow and winter weather.
I loved the sunroof moon roof, leather seats and 6 disc CD Changer.
The car was not good for people over 5'5.
My wife purchased the 2002 ES model and I've had almost the exact same issues.. it leaked from the trunk. Dodge actually fixed it then dried it and used an ozone machine to clean it out. The transmission fluid blew out into the radiator causing the transmission to loose all preasure and the fluids to mix. New radiator.. new lines.. flushed transmission fluid twice. Now I had the engine light go on and the computer set the car in a safe mode which locks it into gear. Guess what? Solenoids went bad. I am fixing it to go and trade in for a new car!
Yes the gas mileage is great, and it is a small car, but maintenance on the car is horrid.
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