IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND PARTIALLY FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Neon years →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
300–25K
3025–50K
2450–75K
1175–100K
13100–150K
5150K+
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
Structure complaints
21 reportsWATER COLLECTS IN THE TRUNK CAUSING MOLD, THIS AFFECTS MY ATHSMA. SEEMS THIS AFFECTS MANY OWNERS AND SEEMS IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE IT AFFECTS THE AIR QUALITY YOU BREATH. *TR
THE CAR HAS LESS THEN 63K MILES ON IT AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS UNSAFE DO TO A RUSTED K FRAME. EVERYWHERE I LOOK ONLINE PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH LOW MILEAGES HOW CAN THIS NOT BE RECALLED!?!? IT WAS ONLY FOUND WHEN I WENT TO 2 DIFFERENT PLACES IN NASHUA, NH AND IT FAILED INSPECTION AT BOTH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR WHEN SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER WAS RUSTED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR WHEN SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER WAS RUSTED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WOULD LEAK THROUGH BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHTS AND INTO THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL WELL, CAUSING MOLD TO FORM ON THE REAR INTERIOR SEATS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTAN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WOULD LEAK THROUGH BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHTS AND INTO THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL WELL, CAUSING MOLD TO FORM ON THE REAR INTERIOR SEATS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,801.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE REAR FLOOR BOARDS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER IT RAINED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND INDE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE REAR FLOOR BOARDS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER IT RAINED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WOULD ENTER THE VEHICLE AND ACCUMULATE ON THE REAR FLOOR BOARDS. THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN IT DID NOT RAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEALS ON THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WOULD ENTER THE VEHICLE AND ACCUMULATE ON THE REAR FLOOR BOARDS. THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN IT DID NOT RAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEALS ON THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO A LEAK ON THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. THERE WAS ALSO A LEAK PRESENT IN THE TRUNK. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL CRACKING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL CRACKING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE TIE ROD WAS FRACTURED. THE TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,600. UPDATED 05/02/11 *CN UPDATED 05/11/11
MY 2002 DODGE NEON LEAKS THROUGH THE TRUNK AND RUNS INTO THE BACKSEAT FLOORBOARDS. AFTER A RAIN OR SNOW MELT (LET ALONE A CARWASH) WATER IS POOLED UP IN THE SPARE TIRE AREA OF MY CARS TRUNK AND THEN RUNS THROUGH TO THE BACKSEAT FLOORBOARDS. THE CAR NOW HAS A TERRIBLE MUSTY, MOLDY SMELL. *TR
I NOTICED MY SPARE TIRE AND 4-WAY TIRE IRON RUSTING ABOUT A YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. I DIDN'T CORRELATE THIS TO A PROBLEM WITH MOISTURE UNTIL A COUPLE OF YEARS LATER WHEN I BEGAN SMELLING A MOLDY SMELL . AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTICED WATER ACCUMULATION AFTER RAIN OR FREEZE THAW CYCLES. THE REPAIR SHOP WANTED $3…
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I NOTICED MY SPARE TIRE AND 4-WAY TIRE IRON RUSTING ABOUT A YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. I DIDN'T CORRELATE THIS TO A PROBLEM WITH MOISTURE UNTIL A COUPLE OF YEARS LATER WHEN I BEGAN SMELLING A MOLDY SMELL . AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTICED WATER ACCUMULATION AFTER RAIN OR FREEZE THAW CYCLES. THE REPAIR SHOP WANTED $300 .00 TO REPLACE THE TRUNK WEATHER STRIPPING . I REFUSED TO ACCEPT THEIR DIAGNOSIS AND LEFT. WHILE AT HOME I TOOK A HOSE AND RAN WATER OVER THE TRUNK AREA AND LOOKED FOR OBVIOUS SIGNS OF WATER PENETRATION AROUND THE TRUNK JOINTS AND STRIPPING. I FOUND NO OBVIOUS LEAK . I STARTED TO LOOK AT THE REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLIES AND NOTICED WATER GETTING IN BEHIND THE GASKETS. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS DEFECT AND WOULD LIKE YOUR ORGANIZATION TO LOOK INTO THIS. THIS PROBLEM COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL SHORTS AND COULD ALSO CAUSE RESPIRATORY AILMENTS DUE TO THE MOLD GROWTH . YOUR RESPONSE TO THIS CONCERN IS REQUESTED. THANK YOU . *TR
Official recalls
0No 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
3EA06019 · 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.