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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

173 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2005
Structure

THE TRUNK IN THE CONSUMER'S 2002 DODGE NEON HAD A LEAK THAT THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND. *NM WATER ACCUMULATED IN THE SPARE TIRE SPOT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10115666

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

65,000 miles · Jan 23, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WORK IN THE MIAMI AREA AND WAS GOING HOME AFTER EATING ; IT HAD BEEN RAINING THAT DAY AND THERE WAS SOME SMALL PUDDLES ON THE ROADWAYS. I WENT THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE; THEN THROUGH A RED LIGHT ;WHEN MY CAR QUIT IN THE INTERSECTION WITH NO WARNING AND WOULD NOT START. SO I HAD TO PUSH THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND GET A TAXI HOME UNT…

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I WORK IN THE MIAMI AREA AND WAS GOING HOME AFTER EATING ; IT HAD BEEN RAINING THAT DAY AND THERE WAS SOME SMALL PUDDLES ON THE ROADWAYS. I WENT THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE; THEN THROUGH A RED LIGHT ;WHEN MY CAR QUIT IN THE INTERSECTION WITH NO WARNING AND WOULD NOT START. SO I HAD TO PUSH THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND GET A TAXI HOME UNTIL MORNING WHEN I COULD TRY TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. MY CAR IS A 2002 DODGE NEON WHICH I PURCHASED ON JAN 17,2004 AT CAPITAL CHEVROLET IN MONTGOMERY ALABAMA. AFTER INVESTIGATING THE NEXT MORNING I COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MAROONE DODGE DEALER IN MIAMI FL. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE CAR HAD SLUNG A ROD WHICH THE WARRANTY REFUSED TO COVER THEIR STATED REASON WAS THAT THE CAR TOOK ON WATER THROUGH THE AIR INTAKE WHICH SEIZED THE MOTOR AND CAUSED THE ROD TO BREAK. AFTER CHECKING WITH OTHER MECHANICS I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THEIR REASON IS NOT POSSIBLE AND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER CASES LIKE THIS REPORTED. YOUR HELP WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED THANK YOU. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10107765

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2005
Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other

I TOOK MY 2002 DODGE NEON TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED MY CAR FROM. IT WAS MISSING REALLY BAD, AND THE BACK FLOORBOARDS HELD WATER WHEN IT RAINED. IT WAS STANDING ABOUT AN INCH IN MY BACK FLOORBOARDS, AND MY SPARE TIRE CARRIER IN MY TRUNK WAS FULL OF WATER. MY WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND I HAD 2 SPARK PLUGS THAT WERE BAD AND T…

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I TOOK MY 2002 DODGE NEON TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED MY CAR FROM. IT WAS MISSING REALLY BAD, AND THE BACK FLOORBOARDS HELD WATER WHEN IT RAINED. IT WAS STANDING ABOUT AN INCH IN MY BACK FLOORBOARDS, AND MY SPARE TIRE CARRIER IN MY TRUNK WAS FULL OF WATER. MY WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND I HAD 2 SPARK PLUGS THAT WERE BAD AND THEY PUT NEW PLUGS AND WIRES IN, AT MY EXPENSE. I PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY VEHICLE, WHICH WAS NOT CHEAP. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE TUNE-UP, THE RENTAL CAR, AND THEY TOLD ME THE LEAKAGE WAS DUE TO BAD SEALS IN THE TAIL LIGHTS AND IT WASN'T COVERED. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 NEONS DOING THAT. I ASKED WHY THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THAT. HE TOLD ME IT WASN'T A SAFETY HAZARD. MAYBE NOT, BUT IT IS SURELY A CASE OF BAD DESIGN. I E-MAILED CHRYSLER AND DODGE, AND THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME IT WAS MY PROBLEM. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO DEAL WITH BAILING WATER OUT OF MY 2-YEAR OLD CAR? THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THAT PARTICULAR MODEL, YET THEY WON'T PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. IT WAS GOING TO COST LESS THAN $100.00; BUT BY PRINCIPLE, I REFUSED TO PAY TO HAVE IT DONE. IF I CAN'T GET IT REPAIRED AT THE MANUFACTORS EXPENSE, I WILL WAIT UNTIL THE SPRING RAINS MOVE IN, AND DRILL A HOLE IN MY SPARE TIRE HOLDER. NOW, MIND YOU, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A 2-YEAR OLD CAR, NOT A 10 YR OLD CAR. I WILL BE ON THE BIGGEST HATE CAMPAIGN AGAINST DODGE THAT THEY WILL EVER COME ACROSS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10106361

45,600 miles · Jan 11, 2005
Suspension

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR COIL SPRINGS. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND FELT SOMETHING RUBBING AGAINST THE REAR RIGHT TIRE. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND SAW THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN, AND WAS RIGHT ON TOP OF THE TIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10107180

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2004
Structure

WATER GETS IN THE BACK SEAT THROUGH THE TRUNK. THERE USUALLY IS BETWEEN 1 TO 2 INCHES. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10101727

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2004
Exterior Lighting

FOR THE PAST YEAR MY VEHICLE 2002 DODGE NEON HAS BEEN RELEASING WATER, I ASSUMED IT WAS FROM THE RAIN BUT I WAS NOT SURE WERE IT WAS COMING FROM. IT HAD WET SPOTS AT ALL TIMES ON THE FLOOR, BACK SEATS, AND TRUNK. I HAD TO LEAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN VERY OFTEN FOR IT TO KEEP DRY. UNFORTUNATELY, I STARTED NOTICING MOLD WAS BUILDING UP…

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FOR THE PAST YEAR MY VEHICLE 2002 DODGE NEON HAS BEEN RELEASING WATER, I ASSUMED IT WAS FROM THE RAIN BUT I WAS NOT SURE WERE IT WAS COMING FROM. IT HAD WET SPOTS AT ALL TIMES ON THE FLOOR, BACK SEATS, AND TRUNK. I HAD TO LEAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN VERY OFTEN FOR IT TO KEEP DRY. UNFORTUNATELY, I STARTED NOTICING MOLD WAS BUILDING UP ON THE FLOOR, TRUNK, AND SEATS OF MY VEHICLE SO I STARTED GETTING CONCERNED. THEREFORE I HAD SOME ONE HELP ME LOOK AT THE CAR, WE STARTED UNCOVERING THE CAR BY REMOVING THE PLASTIC COVER ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND CARPETING OF THE TRUNK. WE FOUND SOME SEVERE MOLD WHEN WE REMOVED EVERYTHING. WE ESTABLISHED THE WATER WAS COMING FROM SEVERAL WATER LEAKS ON THE MANUFACTURER REAR LIGHTS (BOTH). THE SEAL AROUND THE LIGHTS, WHICH ARE THE MANUFACTURERS, WAS COMPLETELY INEFFECTIVE. THE SEAL IS NOT STOPPING THE WATER AT ALL FROM LEAKING INTO THE CAR. NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, I JUST CLEANED IT COMPLETELY TO REMOVE THE MOLD. APART FROM THAT, I HAVE LEFT MY VEHICLE THE WAY IT IS. I JUST REMOVED THE CARPETING FROM HE TRUNK AND PLAN ON TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND CLAIM THIS TO BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE I FEEL THIS IS NOT PART OF A MAINTENANCE A CONSUMER SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10100680

Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10099644

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

ELECTRICAL PROBLEM PANEL LIGHTS INOPERATIVE. *BF THE DAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN, THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR WHAT THE CONSUMER THOUGHT WAS A FAULTY WIRING PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE FOR $825.00 TO REPAIR THE INSIDE CLUSTER. AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE VEHICLE HAD OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IN…

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ELECTRICAL PROBLEM PANEL LIGHTS INOPERATIVE. *BF THE DAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN, THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR WHAT THE CONSUMER THOUGHT WAS A FAULTY WIRING PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE FOR $825.00 TO REPAIR THE INSIDE CLUSTER. AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE VEHICLE HAD OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE RESERVOIRS, IN ADDITION TO THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS RATTLING, THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, BELT AND WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10097334

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.