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2002 Dodge Neon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Dodge Neon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 173.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

113 reports with mileage · 60 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

26 crash reports3 fire reports12 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

22 reports
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106,696 miles · May 16, 2016
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE CALL WAS FORWARDED TO VOICEMAIL. THE CONT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE CALL WAS FORWARDED TO VOICEMAIL. THE CONTACT LEFT A VOICEMAIL MESSAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,696.

NHTSA ODI #10865246

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

2002 DODGE, WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND THE FRONT AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE HOOD WAS BENT. ACCIDENT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY

NHTSA ODI #10811629

13,100 miles · Aug 6, 2012
Air BagsEngineCrashInjury

AT APPROXIMATELY 3:00 A.M. ON A SATURDAY THE 4TH OF AUGUST I WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH I SWERVED TO AVOID A MEDIUM DOG/COYOTE AND MY VEHICLE HIT THE DITCH AND ROLLED. MY FRONT AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND I HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL. I SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY AS WELL AS NUMEROU…

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AT APPROXIMATELY 3:00 A.M. ON A SATURDAY THE 4TH OF AUGUST I WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH I SWERVED TO AVOID A MEDIUM DOG/COYOTE AND MY VEHICLE HIT THE DITCH AND ROLLED. MY FRONT AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND I HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL. I SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY AS WELL AS NUMEROUS BODY IMPACT INJURIES FROM THE CRASH. ACCORDING TO THE REPORT FROM THE IMPOUND MY ENGINE WAS FOUND 40 FEET FROM MY VEHICLE. MY FIRST CONCERN WAS OF COURSE MY AIRBAGS AND WHY THEY FAILED TO DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469439

110,000 miles · Jul 6, 2011
Air BagsCrash

MY DAUGHTER WAS HIT FROM BEHIND IN A 2002 DODGE NEON HER AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED WHY?WAS THERE EVER A RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10410730

98,000 miles · Jan 28, 2009
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WITH HER 15MO OLD BABY. A VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND HIT HER VEHICLE MAKING IT SPIN AROUND. THE FRONT OF HER VEHICLE WAS ALL SMASHED IN. IT WAS A HEAD ON COLLISION. NO AIRBAGS WAS INFLATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256579

84,000 miles · Aug 20, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN THE PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT THEN REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN THE PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT THEN REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURY TO HER BACK. THE POLICE WAS NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO COLLISION SHOP FOR REPAIR ESTIMATES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT YET DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10239055

34,900 miles · Oct 19, 2007
Air BagsCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE AIR BAG COVER CAME OFF AND MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL. THE COVER WAS PLACED OVER THE HORN AND CAUSED THE HORN TO SOUND. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING ONCE AND STRUCK A CURB. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EXCESSIVE HEAT LOOSENED THE TRIM PIECE. THE MAN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE AIR BAG COVER CAME OFF AND MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL. THE COVER WAS PLACED OVER THE HORN AND CAUSED THE HORN TO SOUND. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING ONCE AND STRUCK A CURB. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EXCESSIVE HEAT LOOSENED THE TRIM PIECE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG COVER WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,536 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,900.

NHTSA ODI #10206332

57,900 miles · May 4, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

I HAD A CAR WRECK ON MAY 3 @ 5PM THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS AROUND 25-30 MPH. MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AND DO TO THAT I WAS THROWN INTO MY WINDSHIELD WHICH I CRACKED IT. I HAD TO GO TO THE DOCTOR FOR MY INJURIES. I AM ONLY 4 FOOT TALL AND I SIT TOO CLOSE TO MY STEERING WHEEL TO BEGIN WITH AND IN AWAY I AM GLAD THAT IT DIDN'T GO …

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I HAD A CAR WRECK ON MAY 3 @ 5PM THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS AROUND 25-30 MPH. MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AND DO TO THAT I WAS THROWN INTO MY WINDSHIELD WHICH I CRACKED IT. I HAD TO GO TO THE DOCTOR FOR MY INJURIES. I AM ONLY 4 FOOT TALL AND I SIT TOO CLOSE TO MY STEERING WHEEL TO BEGIN WITH AND IN AWAY I AM GLAD THAT IT DIDN'T GO OFF. BUT IF I HAD A PASSENGER WITH ME THEY COULD OF BEEN HURT TOO. I ALSO NEED TO KNOW HOW I CAN GET A SWITCH PUT IN TO TURN MY BAGS ON AND OFF. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10156808

38,364 miles · Feb 11, 2005
Air BagsCrash

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL." MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WHICH WAS BAD ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE CAR INSURANCE COMPANY TO DECLARE THE VEHICLE REPAIRS WOULD EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE CAR, SO IT WAS TOTALED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THIS ACCIDENT. SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS TOTALED I BY ALLSTATE INSURANCE CO…

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COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL." MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WHICH WAS BAD ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE CAR INSURANCE COMPANY TO DECLARE THE VEHICLE REPAIRS WOULD EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE CAR, SO IT WAS TOTALED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THIS ACCIDENT. SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS TOTALED I BY ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY DALLAS, TX REGION. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10106709

60,000 miles · Feb 8, 2005
Air BagsCrash

WHILE T-BONING A VEHICLE CONSUMER'S FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10111111

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA06019 · Headlight Failure

Opened Nov 22, 2006 · Closed Nov 7, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:fog Lights; Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Exterior Lighting:fog Lights

THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch

THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Exterior Lighting:headlights

THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

PE06028 · Headlight Failure

Opened Jul 28, 2006 · Closed Nov 22, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:fog Lights; Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Exterior Lighting:fog Lights

ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.

Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch

ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.

Exterior Lighting:headlights

ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.

PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate

Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.