2002 Dodge Neon: stuck in gear or won't shift

6 of the 173 complaints about the 2002 Dodge Neon describe stuck in gear or won't shift.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 59,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 11 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Stuck in gear or won't shift by model year

2005
1
2004
1
2003
4
2002
6
2000
1
1999
1
1997
1
1996
2
1995
3

What owners say

Filed Jan 17, 2011 · Transmission · 125,349 miles · IL

I was driving on the interstate when, with no warning, I felt a jolt (like being hit from behind), then a strange sound from the engine compartment. I was able to control the car and pull off to the side of the road where I discovered that I had lost all gears. The car would not shift and would not move. I had to have it towed home (about 80 miles) where I took it to a transmission shop. They did a complete diagnostic evaluation and determined that the transmission was completely blown along with the cooling system radiator. I had to have the transmission rebuilt and the radiator replaced at a cost of almost $1,800. After talking with several transmission shops and reading comments on various websites on the internet, it appears that this type of transmission failure is very common with the dodge neons. It would seem reasonable that this be addressed in a recall by chrysler.

Filed Aug 18, 2008 · Transmission · 81,000 miles · MD

While driving on the highway felt a jolt and loss of power. The speedometer then dialed all the way up and then back to zero. Pulled off to check it out, as I slowed down on the offramp heard a crunching sound and the car shut off. Started right back up but wouldn't go into gear, the transmission had locked up! I couldn't even put it in neutral to push it off the offramp. Had it towed to a shop where they put in a used, not new or rebuilt but a used transmissions with 60,000 miles on it for $1,800. The car had 81,000 miles at the time of failure and is barely six years old! I have also had to replace the throttle body and catalytic converter before 75,000 miles. By far the transmission is the most unacceptable component failure. At only 81,000 miles and six years old dodge needs to recall these automatic transmissions!

Filed Feb 8, 2007 · Engine, Transmission · 59,000 miles · VA

Vehicle would not shift into drive, upon having the vehicle towed to the garage we were informed, it had a sizable hole in the transmission and they also found an oil leak. Total repair cost exceeded $600. This vehicle is a 2002 dodge neon and we are the original owners. The vehicle has always received proper care as far as oil changes, tires, spark plugs etc. The vehicle has not even reached 60,000 miles yet, and we're encountering such problems. In addition, the technician informed us, there are a number of small leaks, but it would be very, very costly to repair each leak, thus they only fixed what was causing the transmission to slip and the oil leak, which was also substantial.

Filed Apr 3, 2006 · Transmission · 52,000 miles · VA

My car was working fine. All of a sudden would not go into gear and made loud noise. Took it to aamco and they tell my throttle regulator box blew up. My car has 50,000 miles on it. I drive it 10 miles to and from work. Needed a whole new transmission as when the box blew up it send shards of metal through my transmission.

Filed Sep 27, 2004 · Transmission · 44,900 miles · LA

On september 24,2004 my transmission became stuck in first gear, causing my car to drive inefficiently. It is putting a strain on my transmission. I have known other people's transmission problems with their neons. Dodge is giving me a hard time for fixing it. This is still under a power train warranty, but are trying get around fixing the transmission. I had other expert tell me that at least 3 different thing are wrong with the transmission. I am bringing it back to premier dodge tomorrow, september 28.

Filed Feb 25, 2004 · Transmission · 46,800 miles · UT

Have taken the car to dealership three times for the same problem. When driving at high speeds would drop from fifth gear into third. As you kept driving it would get worse. And at times would not go into gear at all. This last time we went into the dealership they told us that the manufacturer had route wires to tps wrong and they were damaged. They repaired this about a week ago. The car now jerks when going into gear, runs very poorley when wet weather and shakes severley when at a stop. I do not feel confident driving on the vehicle on the freeway, we would trade in but the trade in value is at $3500, that is crap considering we bought the car for $13,000 two years ago!!