IllustrationTHIS CAR IS A LEMON!!! I'VE BEEN TO THE DEALER TO GET IT FIXED OVER 4 TIMES AND IT AGAIN IS OVERHEATING. HELP ME!*AK
2000 Dodge Neon
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2000 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
Compare all Neon years →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
90–25K
2425–50K
2550–75K
2175–100K
13100–150K
6150K+
98 reports with mileage · 239 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
73 crash reports6 fire reports42 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
54 reportsTHERE IS A SQUEAKING NOISE PRESENT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. DEALER SAYS IT'S DUE TO BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS.*AK HORN IS OUT. THE VEHICLE RUN HARD AND IS LOUD. THE FRONT END IS LOW WHEN COMING OUT ON INTO A DRIVEWAY. *YH
THE COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE FOR THE AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS AND BRAKES THE SAME PROBLEMS OCCURED DURING ANOTHER ACCIDENT ON JANUARY 16, 2001. DURING BOTH ACCIDENTS I WAS PRESSING ON MY BRAKES AND IT SEEMED AS IF THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. AT THE TIME OF IMPACT THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT CATCH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ACCIDEN…
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THE COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE FOR THE AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS AND BRAKES THE SAME PROBLEMS OCCURED DURING ANOTHER ACCIDENT ON JANUARY 16, 2001. DURING BOTH ACCIDENTS I WAS PRESSING ON MY BRAKES AND IT SEEMED AS IF THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. AT THE TIME OF IMPACT THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT CATCH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ACCIDENT THAT OCCURED ON JANUARY 16, 2001, BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT DID NOT CATCH AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY I WAS INJURED WHEN MY HEAD IMPACTED THE WINDSHIELD. I INFORMED THE DODGE CORPORATION OF THE PROBLEMS AND ALL I WAS TOLD IS THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON MY CAR. I NOTICED THAT THE HEADGASKETS BEGAN LEAKING APPROXIMATELY A MONTH AGO, I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT $700.00 IN REPAIRS. I CALLED SEVERAL OTHER GARAGES FOR QUOTES ON THE REPAIRS AND THE FIRST THING OUT OF THE MECHANICS MOUTH WAS I SHOULD TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HEADGASKETS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK AND WAS TOLD IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY CAR SINCE MINE WAS SUSPOSED TO BE A 2000 MODEL. BUT SINCE THEM I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT MY CAR WAS ACTUALLY MANUFACTURED IN JANUARY 1999. ANY HELP THAT YOU CAN GIVE ME CONCERNING MY CAR WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. *AK
ON APRIL 23, 2001, I WAS DRIVING FROM CAPE COD TO MY HOME IN CAMPTON, NH. THE EMISSIONS CONTROL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE RIGHT LANE TO FIND AN EXIT THE CAR BEGAN LOSING POWER. AS I APPROACHED EXIT 38, ON INTERSTATE 93N, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF EXHAUST AND BY THE TIME I REACHED THE END OF THE EXIT …
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ON APRIL 23, 2001, I WAS DRIVING FROM CAPE COD TO MY HOME IN CAMPTON, NH. THE EMISSIONS CONTROL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE RIGHT LANE TO FIND AN EXIT THE CAR BEGAN LOSING POWER. AS I APPROACHED EXIT 38, ON INTERSTATE 93N, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF EXHAUST AND BY THE TIME I REACHED THE END OF THE EXIT THE CAR STALLED WHICH WAS GOOD BECAUSE MY BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THE CAR STALLED THE INTERIOR BEGAN FILLING WITH BLACK SMOKE AND I GRABBED MY DOG BY THE COLLAR AND EVACUATED THE CAR. SECONDS AFTER, THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES WHICH SHOT OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. BY THE TIME THE FIRE TRUCKS ARRIVED THE CAR WAS BURNED BEYOND REPAIR, INCLUDING ALL MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS INSIDE THE CAR.*AK
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES INTERMITTENT POWER SURGES (LOSS OF POWER) WHEN DRIVING OVER 50 MPH UPON ACCELERATION. NLM
MY NEON STARTED MAKING A NOISE--KNOCKING NOISE IN THE PISTONS AT AROUND 5800 MI.CONTACTED CHRYSLER ABOUT THE PROBLEM.A REPRESENTATIVE FROM CHRYSLER TOLD ME THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL FOR THOSE TYPE OF CARS.YOU CAN HEAR THE NOISE WHEN IT'S WARM OUT FROM APROX. 10FT AWAY--THIS IS WRONG FOR A NEW CAR.I COULD HAVE BOUGHT A CLUNKER-TO…
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MY NEON STARTED MAKING A NOISE--KNOCKING NOISE IN THE PISTONS AT AROUND 5800 MI.CONTACTED CHRYSLER ABOUT THE PROBLEM.A REPRESENTATIVE FROM CHRYSLER TOLD ME THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL FOR THOSE TYPE OF CARS.YOU CAN HEAR THE NOISE WHEN IT'S WARM OUT FROM APROX. 10FT AWAY--THIS IS WRONG FOR A NEW CAR.I COULD HAVE BOUGHT A CLUNKER-TO HAVE THIS NOISE.WHAT DO I DO?PLEASE E MAIL ME &LET ME KNOW..THANK YOU!
THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER 3 TIMES, THE ENGINE DID NOT SHUT OFF DUE TO A FAULTY RESISTOR, THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED A CRUSHED T-6 VERTABRAE. NLM
WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY OR AT A STOP AND ABOUT TO PROCEED VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. WENT TO ARBITRATION BOARD IN WHICH CHRYSLER STATED THAT IT WAS THE CAHARACTERISTIC OF VEHCLE BECAUSE OF EMISSION STANDARDS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
DEFECTIVE MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE AT 6,000 MILES OF WEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND MADE REPAIRS. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ON THIS MATTER.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 30MPH STEERING WHEEL BECAME STUCK. WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER & MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. PUT ON HAZARDS. MANAGED TO STOP VEHICLE & THEN HAD PUSHED VEHICLE TO NEARBY MECHANIC. WAS INFORMED THAT SERPENTINE BELT HAD BROKEN DUE TO BEING DEFECTIVE.*AK
Official recalls
501V154000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
May 8, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IN THE PRESENCE OF OIL AND HEAT, THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE COULD SWELL AND LOOSEN FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND AN INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 2, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
00V366000 · Child Seat
Nov 9, 2000
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.
00V194000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Jul 17, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS. VAPORS FROM THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) SYSTEM CAN CONDENSE AND FREEZE INSIDE OF THE THROTTLE BODY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN EXTREMELY COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM FULLY RETURNING TO IDLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE AND RELOCATE A PCV SYSTEM TUBE.
99V114000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
May 6, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED BETWEEN THE PIVOT TUBE AND THE ARM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS INADEQUATE WELDING COULD ALLOW THE TUBE TO SEPARATE FROM THE ARM, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM.
99V043000 · Air Bags:frontal
Mar 11, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME FRONTAL (PASSENGER SIDE) AIR BAGS MAY NOT INFLATE PROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PASSENGER MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG MODULE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.
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
2PE02082 · 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.
RQ99010 · Control Arm Welds
Opened Jun 1, 1999 · Closed Feb 5, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available