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Abstract The process of electron attachment to the NO 2 molecule is investigated theoretically using an approach based on a study by O’Malley (1966 Phys. Rev. 150 14). The approach combines the normal mode approximation for representation of vibrational dynamics of NO 2 and one-dimensional treatment, along each normal mode, of the attachment process as in O’Malley’s theory, such that only a modest computational effort is required to compute the attachment cross section. Taking into account the survival probability of the formed resonant state of N O 2 − , the cross section for dissociative electron attachment to NO 2 is also estimated. To compare with available experimental data, the theoretical cross section is convoluted with energy distribution of NO 2 –e − collisions with uncertainties reported in experimental studies. Peak values of the convoluted theoretical cross section are found to be about a factor of 2–10 larger than the experimental results.