Owners have filed 74 complaints
about the 2001 Plymouth Neon with NHTSA between 2001 and 2017.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 7 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 — 13
Against the median year of the Plymouth Neon. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
36.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 23
14% 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
834.8%
Vacuum
730.4%
Engine
28.7%
Disc
28.7%
Side/Window
14.3%
Underbody Shields
14.3%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings
14.3%
Brake Lights
14.3%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
313.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
313.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
940.9%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
29.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
29.1%
150,000+ miles
313.6%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2001 Plymouth Neon 4-DR.
—
—
—
—
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.
Jan 2001peak 7May 2017
NHTSA investigations into the 2001 Plymouth 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.
Recalls on the 2001 Plymouth Neon
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
08E033000
SUSPENSION
FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
01V154000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IN THE PRESENCE OF OIL AND HEAT, THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE COULD SWELL AND LOOSEN FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND AN INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED.
00V366000
CHILD SEAT
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 49,000 milesElwood, ILCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I HAD HIT THE SIDE OF A VAN WITH THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE, I WAS BRAKING WHEN I HIT HIM SO I COULD HAVE BEEN GOING BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10171091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Weston, FLCrash1 killed
SEAT BELTS
MVA, MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE ACCIDENT REPORT, SHE WAS TURNING LEFT AND THE OTHER CAR WAS ONLY GOING 25 MILES/HOUR. MY MOTHER RECEIVED INJURIES THAT CAUSED HER DEATH A WEEK LATER. IN INSPECTING THE NEON, 2001 IT APPEARED THAT THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK OUT. SHE WENT FORWARD INTO THE AIRBAG. SHE HAD A FRACTURED STERNUM AND 4 FRACTURED RIB'S, AND MULTIPLE BRUISES ( SO MANY SHE HAD TO HAVE A TRANSFUSION. HOW CAN THIS BE! SHE WAS HARDLY MOVING AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ONLY GOING 25 MILES/HOUR?
NHTSA complaint #10130510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Weston, FLCrash1 killed
AIR BAGS
MVA, MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE ACCIDENT REPORT, SHE WAS TURNING LEFT AND THE OTHER CAR WAS ONLY GOING 25 MILES/HOUR. MY MOTHER RECEIVED INJURIES THAT CAUSED HER DEATH A WEEK LATER. IN INSPECTING THE NEON, 2001 IT APPEARED THAT THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK OUT. SHE WENT FORWARD INTO THE AIRBAG. SHE HAD A FRACTURED STERNUM AND 4 FRACTURED RIB'S, AND MULTIPLE BRUISES ( SO MANY SHE HAD TO HAVE A TRANSFUSION. HOW CAN THIS BE! SHE WAS HARDLY MOVING AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ONLY GOING 25 MILES/HOUR?
NHTSA complaint #10130510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vacaville, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE AIR BAG LIGHT DID NOT COME ON ANY TIME BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10120844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Albans, VTCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2001 PLYMOUTH NEON AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT.*MR *JB CONSUMER STATED, HIT THE TRACTOR TRAILER HEAD ON AND AIR DID NOT DEPLOY, AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10117424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesSadieville, KYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
MY DAUGHTER WAS DIRVING TO WORK, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND THEY COLLIDED. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. MY DAUGHTER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUFFERED A CONCUSSION. THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #10113932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 65,000 milesHaverstraw, NY
SUSPENSION
I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 WITH ONLY 65,000 MILES ON IT AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE FRONT END ROTTED OUT.ITS A GOOD THING I WAS GOING SLOW OR I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERLY INJURED.IN ADDITION WHEN IT RAINS THE FLOOR BOARDS AND TRUNK WELL FILL WITH WATER.THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE SOLD .I JUST READ ONLINE ABOUT OTHER DRIVERS HAVING HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10991976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 215,132 milesLuther, MI
POWER TRAIN
SAGGING GAS TANK DUE TO BROKEN STRAP. DRIVE TRAIN SHUDDER AND CLUNK DUE TO STRETCHED DRIVE/ENGINE MOUNTS.
NHTSA complaint #10984946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 215,132 milesLuther, MI
ENGINE
SAGGING GAS TANK DUE TO BROKEN STRAP. DRIVE TRAIN SHUDDER AND CLUNK DUE TO STRETCHED DRIVE/ENGINE MOUNTS.
NHTSA complaint #10984946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 215,132 milesLuther, MI
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SAGGING GAS TANK DUE TO BROKEN STRAP. DRIVE TRAIN SHUDDER AND CLUNK DUE TO STRETCHED DRIVE/ENGINE MOUNTS.
NHTSA complaint #10984946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesBradford, RI
SUSPENSION
A MECHANIC WAS CHECKING THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF MY CAR WHILE PERFORMING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WHEN HE NOTICED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST AND SEVERAL CRACKS FORMING IN THE SUB FRAME.
NHTSA complaint #10606897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesBradford, RI
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
A MECHANIC WAS CHECKING THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF MY CAR WHILE PERFORMING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WHEN HE NOTICED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST AND SEVERAL CRACKS FORMING IN THE SUB FRAME.
NHTSA complaint #10606897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Enon Valley, PA
TIRES
2001 PLYMOUTH NEON, RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. *BF THE VEHICLE SUFFERED DAMAGE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0164-91)*JB UPDATED 05/13/10
NHTSA complaint #10329603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesWindsor, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BROKEN TIE ROD ENDS BOTH SIDES, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, HEAD GASKET FAILURE, READ DOOR DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT CLOSE AT ALL, TRUNK WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY, BRAKES WEAR EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS, HIGH RATE OF OIL BURN OFF. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10242269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesWindsor, OH
STEERING
BROKEN TIE ROD ENDS BOTH SIDES, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, HEAD GASKET FAILURE, READ DOOR DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT CLOSE AT ALL, TRUNK WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY, BRAKES WEAR EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS, HIGH RATE OF OIL BURN OFF. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10242269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesWindsor, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
BROKEN TIE ROD ENDS BOTH SIDES, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, HEAD GASKET FAILURE, READ DOOR DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT CLOSE AT ALL, TRUNK WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY, BRAKES WEAR EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS, HIGH RATE OF OIL BURN OFF. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10242269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesWindsor, OH
STRUCTURE
BROKEN TIE ROD ENDS BOTH SIDES, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, HEAD GASKET FAILURE, READ DOOR DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT CLOSE AT ALL, TRUNK WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY, BRAKES WEAR EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS, HIGH RATE OF OIL BURN OFF. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10242269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesWindsor, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BROKEN TIE ROD ENDS BOTH SIDES, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, HEAD GASKET FAILURE, READ DOOR DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT CLOSE AT ALL, TRUNK WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY, BRAKES WEAR EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS, HIGH RATE OF OIL BURN OFF. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10242269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alabaster, AL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIR DONE ON THEIR 2001 PLYMOUTH NEON. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL PROBLEM BEFORE THE RECALL WAS RECEIVED AND WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT. *KB THE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10221691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alabaster, AL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIR DONE ON THEIR 2001 PLYMOUTH NEON. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL PROBLEM BEFORE THE RECALL WAS RECEIVED AND WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT. *KB THE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10221691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesapeake, VA
STRUCTURE
THE TRUNK SEALS LEAK. EXCESS WATER IS COLLECTED IN THE SPARE WHEEL AND SURROUNDING CARPET. THE CARPET BEGINS TO GROW MOLD. THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL NOT REALIZE THAT THERE IS MOLD GROWING IN THE SPARE TIRE SECTION OF THEIR TRUNK. MOLD CAN BE TOXIC AND EVEN DEADLY. I HAVE CLEANED THIS AREA ONCE, BUT NOW I WILL CLEAN IT AGAIN TO TRY AND KILL OF ALL OF THE MOLD.
NHTSA complaint #10176815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albany, NY
STRUCTURE
MY CAR IS LEAKING WATER IN TO THE TRUNK, SPARE TIRE WELL, UNDER MY BACK SEAT AND THE BACK FLOORS. MY MOTHER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER NEON. I JUST SPOKE TO A WOMAN WHO OWNS A NEON AND SHE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE HAS TO BE A DEFECT SOMEWHERE FOR THIS MANY PEOPLE TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10173035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesElwood, ILCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I HAD HIT THE SIDE OF A VAN WITH THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE, I WAS BRAKING WHEN I HIT HIM SO I COULD HAVE BEEN GOING BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10171091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gardner, MA
STRUCTURE
EVERY TIME IT RAINS MY SPARE TIRE WELL FILLS WITH WATER AND THE INTERIOR HAS PUDDLES ON THE FLOOR. MY CAR SMELLS LIKE DIRTY SOCKS AND IS GROWING MOLD. I AM STILL LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION.
NHTSA complaint #10154911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Weston, FLCrash1 killed
SEAT BELTS
MVA, MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE ACCIDENT REPORT, SHE WAS TURNING LEFT AND THE OTHER CAR WAS ONLY GOING 25 MILES/HOUR. MY MOTHER RECEIVED INJURIES THAT CAUSED HER DEATH A WEEK LATER. IN INSPECTING THE NEON, 2001 IT APPEARED THAT THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK OUT. SHE WENT FORWARD INTO THE AIRBAG. SHE HAD A FRACTURED STERNUM AND 4 FRACTURED RIB'S, AND MULTIPLE BRUISES ( SO MANY SHE HAD TO HAVE A TRANSFUSION. HOW CAN THIS BE! SHE WAS HARDLY MOVING AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ONLY GOING 25 MILES/HOUR?
NHTSA complaint #10130510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Weston, FLCrash1 killed
AIR BAGS
MVA, MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE ACCIDENT REPORT, SHE WAS TURNING LEFT AND THE OTHER CAR WAS ONLY GOING 25 MILES/HOUR. MY MOTHER RECEIVED INJURIES THAT CAUSED HER DEATH A WEEK LATER. IN INSPECTING THE NEON, 2001 IT APPEARED THAT THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK OUT. SHE WENT FORWARD INTO THE AIRBAG. SHE HAD A FRACTURED STERNUM AND 4 FRACTURED RIB'S, AND MULTIPLE BRUISES ( SO MANY SHE HAD TO HAVE A TRANSFUSION. HOW CAN THIS BE! SHE WAS HARDLY MOVING AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ONLY GOING 25 MILES/HOUR?
NHTSA complaint #10130510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,500 milesBoyertown, PA
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SEAT BELT ON THE SAFETY CLIP IN 2001 PLYMOUTH NEON BROKE. THE CHILD SEAT INSPECTOR WAS INSTALLING THE CHILD SEAT AND NOTICED THE CLIP BEING BROKE. THE SEAT BELT CLIP WAS NOTICED TODAY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE CONSUMER IWASCALLING THE MANUFACTURER TODAY TO SEE WHAT SEE COULD DO ABOUT THE CLIP. THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE HAD NOT NOTICED ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE TODAY. THE BELT WAS IN THE BACK SEAT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10128906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vacaville, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE AIR BAG LIGHT DID NOT COME ON ANY TIME BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10120844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Albans, VTCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2001 PLYMOUTH NEON AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT.*MR *JB CONSUMER STATED, HIT THE TRACTOR TRAILER HEAD ON AND AIR DID NOT DEPLOY, AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10117424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesSadieville, KYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
MY DAUGHTER WAS DIRVING TO WORK, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND THEY COLLIDED. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. MY DAUGHTER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUFFERED A CONCUSSION. THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #10113932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesBelleville, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2001 PLYMOUTH NEON PURCHASED NEW. WHILE DRIVING,ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING LOUDLY.CONTINUED HOME FOR ABOUT 3 MORE MILES. ENGINE STILL KNOCKING,VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER,AND DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A NEW ENGINE. 95,000 MILES. NO ADVANCE WARNING OF ENGINE FAILURE, OIL CLEAN AND FULL,OIL CHANGED EVERY 4-5000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10110621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.