IllustrationMULTI FUNCTION SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILURE. HARNESS AND CONNECTOR BURNED OUT. CAUSING SMALL AMOUNTS OF SMOKE, SOURCE SELF-EXTINGUISHED AND DID NOT CREATE AN EMERGENCY. ABILITY TO SWITCH HEADLAMPS AND TURN SIGNALS FAIL. *JB
2001 Dodge Neon
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 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
30–25K
2125–50K
1550–75K
575–100K
5100–150K
3150K+
52 reports with mileage · 94 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 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
35 crash reports1 fire reports24 injury reports
What owners actually said
146 reportsTRUNK LEAKING BADLY IN RAIN, CAUSED MOLD TO GROW IN THE CAR WITH A VERY BAD ODOR. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. ALSO, THE REAR BRAKES SQUEAKED, AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 01V154000 PERTAINING TO THE SERVICE B…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. ALSO, THE REAR BRAKES SQUEAKED, AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 01V154000 PERTAINING TO THE SERVICE BRAKES POWER ASSIST VACUUM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT 30 MPH, A WIND DRAFT WAS NOTICED IN THE STEERING WHEEL MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. UPON INSPECTION BY THE CONTACT, WATER WAS NOTICE IN THE BACK FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WERE THEY DETERMINED THE SEAL AROUND THE TAIL LIGHTS HAD A SMALL AREA THAT MAY HA…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT 30 MPH, A WIND DRAFT WAS NOTICED IN THE STEERING WHEEL MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. UPON INSPECTION BY THE CONTACT, WATER WAS NOTICE IN THE BACK FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WERE THEY DETERMINED THE SEAL AROUND THE TAIL LIGHTS HAD A SMALL AREA THAT MAY HAVE NOT BEEN SEALED PROPERLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEALANT AROUND THE TAIL LIGHTS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING PROBLEM. *NM
THE SEAL AROUND THE TRUNK LID IS LEAKING. THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE IN MY TRUNK FROM RAIN WATER, IT LEAKED UNDERNEATH INTO THE SPARE TIRE HOLDING AREA, THEN INTO THE BACK SEATS AND CARPET IN THE CAR. THE WATER COULD NOT BE COMPLETELY REMOVED, AND THERE IS MOLD IN THE CAR NOW. MOLD IS A HEALTH HAZARD. THE SEAL IS FAULTY. *JB
ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FAILURE. *JB
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, T…
Read full complaint
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 *JB
1. UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS 2. THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK MOUNTING BRACKET BROKE A WELD. THUS MAKING THE PASSENGER SEAT USELESS, AND DANGEROUS TO ANY BACKSEAT PASSENGERS. *AK 3.TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PART WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER ANY WARANTY(CAR IS AT 45,000 MILES) AND THAT I SHOULD GO TO A "PRIVA…
Read full complaint
1. UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS 2. THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK MOUNTING BRACKET BROKE A WELD. THUS MAKING THE PASSENGER SEAT USELESS, AND DANGEROUS TO ANY BACKSEAT PASSENGERS. *AK 3.TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PART WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER ANY WARANTY(CAR IS AT 45,000 MILES) AND THAT I SHOULD GO TO A "PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP" AND HAVE IT WELDED BACK, OR I WOULD HAVE TO BUY A NEW SEAT FOR >$500.
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF INTO THE OWNER'S HANDS. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER FOR EVALUATION, HOWEVER THE CAUSE HAD NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT THEY PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. *NM
WHILE PARKING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS.*AK MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED, BUT REFUSED TO ANY ASSISTANCE. *TT
Official recalls
401V154000 · 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.
01V039000 · Equipment:other:labels
Feb 12, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH 15" WHEELS, EQUIPPED WITH AN R/T PACKAGE. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN INCORRECT TIRE PLACARD. THE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH P195/50R16 TIRES BUT THE TIRE PLACARD INDICATED THAT THE RECOMMENDED TIRE SIZES WERE P185/65R14 AND P185/65R15. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE LABEL SPECIFIES THE WRONG RECOMMENDED TIRE SIZE. THIS COULD CAUSE THE OWNER TO SELECT INCORRECT REPLACEMENT TIRES.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECT LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 14, 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.
00V415000 · Equipment:other:labels
Dec 12, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SPORT APPEARANCE PACKAGE FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." CERTAIN VEHICLES BUILT WITH 16" WHEELS AND TIRES WERE EQUIPPED WITH THE INCORRECT TIRE PLACARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE LABEL SPECIFIES THE WRONG RECOMMENDED TIRE SIZE. THIS COULD CAUSE THE OWNER TO SELECT INCORRECT REPLACEMENT TIRES.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A NEW LABEL, OR, IF THE OWNER WISHES, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.
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.
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
1PE02082 · 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.