Owners have filed 199 complaints
about the 2001 Dodge Neon with NHTSA between 2000 and 2020.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 12 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 24
Against the median year of the Dodge Neon. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
52.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 45
26% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Frontal
2335.9%
Gasoline
1015.6%
Vacuum
69.4%
Ignition
69.4%
Trunk LID
57.8%
Steering Wheel/Handle BAR
57.8%
Automatic Transmission
57.8%
Wiring
46.3%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
68.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
2536.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
2029.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
68.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
710.3%
150,000+ miles
45.9%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 2000peak 17Mar 2020
NHTSA investigations into the 2001 Dodge Neon
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE02082Opened 6 Nov 2002Closed 23 Apr 2003SEAT BELTS
SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
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.
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 114,000 milesFenton, MICrash
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HEAD ON COLLISION GOING BETWEEN 60-70 MPH ON HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10244635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesColumbia, MOCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT 40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE WAS AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10173460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesColumbia, MOCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT 40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE WAS AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10173460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesSaskatoon, 00Crash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
DT: CONSUMER HAS A 2001 DODGE NEON, WHILE IN AN ACCIDENT THE REAR SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DID NOT LOCK. CONSUMER'S 5 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN HIS BOOSTER SEAT WHICH HIT THE FRONT SEAT. CHILD SUSTAINED UPPER LIP CUTS. ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL REAR SEAT BELTS WERE SUPPOSE TO LOCK, BUT ACCORDING TO EMPLOYEES FOR DODGE, THE REAR SEAT BELTS WERE NOT MEANT TO LOCK. THE MILEAGE WAS IN KILOMETERS, AND THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT FROM THE CONSUMER'S BROTHER.*AK
NHTSA complaint #10129558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesMiramar, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH, THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD AN ACCIDENT. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10101534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE LOW BEAM LIGHT FAILED, BUT THE HIGH BEAM WAS OPERABLE. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND DETERMINED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HIGH AND LOW DIMMER SWITCH AND THE WIRE HARNESS PLUG ATTACHMENT TO THE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *JB
NHTSA complaint #10092897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 200,890 milesJacksboro, TN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROTTLE STUCK ON HIGHWAY WHEN ACCELERATION.
NHTSA complaint #11318193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,890 milesJacksboro, TN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THROTTLE STUCK ON HIGHWAY WHEN ACCELERATION.
NHTSA complaint #11318193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Claymont, DE
AIR BAGS
MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON IN MY HORN DON'T WORK
NHTSA complaint #11309836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 158,189 milesCleveland, OH
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK OIL WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,189.
NHTSA complaint #10682481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesFountain Hill, PA
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE NEON. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND MADE THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
NHTSA complaint #10661558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesFountain Hill, PA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE NEON. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND MADE THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
NHTSA complaint #10661558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesElmhurst, IL
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE ENTIRE SUB FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
NHTSA complaint #10595593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 137,500 milesBell, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING AND CAR START TO SHAKE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON.
NHTSA complaint #10515755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 137,500 milesBell, CA
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I WAS DRIVING AND CAR START TO SHAKE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON.
NHTSA complaint #10515755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesStarks, ME
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE INDEPENDENT MECHANICS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REMEDY FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #10430433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,800 milesStockton, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,845.
NHTSA complaint #10430058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,000 milesCleveland, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT END WAS REWIRED. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHERE THE ALTERNATOR, ALTERNATOR BELT, CAM SHAFT, BATTERY, HORN AND THE GROUND WIRE CABLE WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REWIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
NHTSA complaint #10414649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pembroke ONT, 00
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE CAR HAD NO POWER AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AND NOW IT SLIPS EVERY TIME YOU USE THE CAR. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF YOU WERE IN ON COMING TRAFFIC AND YOU HAD TO MOVE YOU CANT MOVE QUICK.
NHTSA complaint #10369550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesChula Vista, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, SMOKE HAS BEEN EMITTED FROM BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN. INITIALLY, FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. LATER, SMOKE CAME FROM BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN, AND THE FOG LIGHTS TURNED OFF, BUT WOULD NOT TURN ON. 1 MONTH LATER, MORE SMOKE CAME FROM BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN, WITH A BAD ODOR, AND THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. NOW, I HAVE HAD TO BUY THE MFS (MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH) BUT IT DOES NOT WORK, AS THE WIRING HARNESS AND WIRES ARE BURNED. THE DODGE DEALER SAYS THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING LOOM HAS TO BE REPLACED FOR SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE, AND HAVE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE. MY CONCERN IS THAT HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, ETC, SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE, AND I HAVE SEEN THAT MANY OTHER NEON OWNERS HAVE HAD TAILLIGHTS GO OUT, TURN SIGNALS NOT OPERATE, ETC. I CHECKED 7 CARS IN JUNK YARDS TODAY, AND FOUND THAT ALL OF THEM HAD BURNED WIRES AND HARNESSES. DODGE SHOULD REMEDY THIS ISSUE, WHICH IS CLEARLY RELATED TO SAFETY.
NHTSA complaint #10355112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesChula Vista, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, SMOKE HAS BEEN EMITTED FROM BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN. INITIALLY, FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. LATER, SMOKE CAME FROM BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN, AND THE FOG LIGHTS TURNED OFF, BUT WOULD NOT TURN ON. 1 MONTH LATER, MORE SMOKE CAME FROM BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN, WITH A BAD ODOR, AND THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. NOW, I HAVE HAD TO BUY THE MFS (MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH) BUT IT DOES NOT WORK, AS THE WIRING HARNESS AND WIRES ARE BURNED. THE DODGE DEALER SAYS THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING LOOM HAS TO BE REPLACED FOR SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE, AND HAVE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE. MY CONCERN IS THAT HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, ETC, SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE, AND I HAVE SEEN THAT MANY OTHER NEON OWNERS HAVE HAD TAILLIGHTS GO OUT, TURN SIGNALS NOT OPERATE, ETC. I CHECKED 7 CARS IN JUNK YARDS TODAY, AND FOUND THAT ALL OF THEM HAD BURNED WIRES AND HARNESSES. DODGE SHOULD REMEDY THIS ISSUE, WHICH IS CLEARLY RELATED TO SAFETY.
NHTSA complaint #10355112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,590 milesBronx, NY
TIRES
WAS DRIVING AT 50MPH, WHEN MY RT FRONT NOKIAN TIRE WENT FLAT. WHEN I CHANGED THE TIRE A NOTICED THAT THE GREEN PLUG WAS MISSING. THERE WAS A GREEN PLUG IN THE LF FRONT TIRE, SO I KNEW THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. AS OF RIGHT NOW, I WAS TOLD NOKIAN NO LONGER MAKES THAT TYPE OF TIRE WITH THE GREEN PLUG SO I AM GOING TO HAVE TO GET A NEW ONE.
NHTSA complaint #10323723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,000 milesFenton, MICrash
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HEAD ON COLLISION GOING BETWEEN 60-70 MPH ON HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10244635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesReading, PA
STRUCTURE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER LEAKED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR WHEN IT RAINS. HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHERE THE CAUSED OF THE LEAK. AS OF JANUARY 3, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,500.
NHTSA complaint #10213583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,880 milesMedford, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING (MPH UNKNOWN) HE HEARD A LOUD RINGING NOISE THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART TO VEHICLE AFTER ADJUSTING THE WIRING HARNESS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MAIN CABLE INTO THE BATTERY CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY FIVE MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,880 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MAIN CABLE INTO THE BATTERY CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY FIVE MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,880 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000. UPDATED 04-07-08
NHTSA complaint #10212912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mississauga, 00
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
LEAKY TRUNK AND BACK SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10209000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mississauga, 00
STRUCTURE
LEAKY TRUNK AND BACK SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10209000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,000 milesMonroe, MI
TIRES:SIDEWALL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE NEON. THE VEHICLE HAS DUNLOP SP SPORT, SIZE 19550R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE SIDEWALL SHREDDED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VEHICLE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 77,000. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED
NHTSA complaint #10204044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Otselic, NY
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DOORS HAVE TROUBLE CLOSING AND STAYING CLOSED UNTIL THEY DONT CLOSE AT ALL. ALL FOUR DOORS ON MY CAR HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP GETTING A NEW DOOR MECHANISM SO THE DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL CLOSE. OTHER THREE WILL HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AND REPLACED.DOORS OPEN WHEN YOU ARE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND STAY OPEN. COULD BE POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10185640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesKent, WA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 2 AND A HALF YEARS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR HAS FAILED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL SECURE IN THE VEHICLE AND IS UNSURE IF THE SEAT BELTS WILL PROVIDE PROTECTION IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD WAS ALSO WARPING AND PEBBLING. UPDATED 2/22/2007 -
NHTSA complaint #10179471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesKent, WA
STRUCTURE
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 2 AND A HALF YEARS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR HAS FAILED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL SECURE IN THE VEHICLE AND IS UNSURE IF THE SEAT BELTS WILL PROVIDE PROTECTION IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD WAS ALSO WARPING AND PEBBLING. UPDATED 2/22/2007 -
NHTSA complaint #10179471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.