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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
60,000 miles · Nov 17, 2004
Exterior Lighting

WATER LEAKED INTO THE FRONT HEADLIGHT LENS, CAUSING THE LENS TO FOG UP. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10087192

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2004
Exterior LightingFire

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 T…

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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 *SC

NHTSA ODI #10092897

73,000 miles · Nov 1, 2004
Power Train

TRAVELLING ON INTERSTATE, GOING 30 TO 40 MPH BECAUSE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. TRANSMISSION STARTS TO SLIP. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO PULL CAR ONTO THE SHOULDER AND OUT OF TRAFFIC. AFTER TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, I'M TOLD A PLUG ON THE RADIATOR THAT CONNECTS TO THE TRANSMISSION "POPPED" OFF. THIS CAUSED ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO DRAI…

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TRAVELLING ON INTERSTATE, GOING 30 TO 40 MPH BECAUSE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. TRANSMISSION STARTS TO SLIP. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO PULL CAR ONTO THE SHOULDER AND OUT OF TRAFFIC. AFTER TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, I'M TOLD A PLUG ON THE RADIATOR THAT CONNECTS TO THE TRANSMISSION "POPPED" OFF. THIS CAUSED ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO DRAIN ON THE INTERSTATE AND IMMOBILIZED MY CAR. THE RADIATOR HAS TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED BECAUSE OF THIS PLUG.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10098096

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2004
Equipment

RADIO QUIT, LIGHTS WILL STILL COME ON BUT WILL NOT PLAY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10098057

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2004
Wheels

I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WOULD MAKE A BRUSHING NOISE WHENEVER IT MOVED (WITH THE GAS OR WITHOUT THE GAS). I ASSUMED THAT IT WAS THE BRAKES, SO I TOOK IT TO A MECHANICS TO HAVE IT TAKEN CARE OF. WHAT THEY DISCOVERED, HOWEVER, WAS THAT IT WAS NOT THE BRAKES CREATING THE NOISE, BUT THE TIRES AND THE RIMS. APPARENTLY, EITHER THE RIM…

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I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WOULD MAKE A BRUSHING NOISE WHENEVER IT MOVED (WITH THE GAS OR WITHOUT THE GAS). I ASSUMED THAT IT WAS THE BRAKES, SO I TOOK IT TO A MECHANICS TO HAVE IT TAKEN CARE OF. WHAT THEY DISCOVERED, HOWEVER, WAS THAT IT WAS NOT THE BRAKES CREATING THE NOISE, BUT THE TIRES AND THE RIMS. APPARENTLY, EITHER THE RIMS OR THE TIRES ARE THE WRONG SIZE CAUSING THEM TO RUB AGAINST ONE ANOTHER WHENEVER THE CAR MOVES AND MAKES THE TIRES FLEX. WHEN INVESTIGATING RECALLS, FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM FOR THE MODEL, JUST NOT FOR MY SPECIFIC CAR. APPARENTLY, IN CERTAIN CARS THE WRONG PLACARD WAS PLACED ON THE INSIDE OF THE DRIVERS DOOR INDICATING THE WRONG TIRE SIZE, THEREFORE CAUSING MECHANICS TO REPLACE THE TIRES WITH THE WRONG SIZE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS MY VEHICLE HAS, BUT A RECALL HAS YET TO BE ISSUED FOR IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10096234

90,000 miles · Oct 18, 2004
Air Bags

WHILE DRIVING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON AND THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING RECALL 04V480000, BUT THIS MODEL VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10097040

43,000 miles · Sep 29, 2004
Air Bags

DODGE NEON 2001 MY - 43,000 MILES. TODAY, WHILE MAKING A PARKING MANEUVER I SUDDENLY HEARD SEVERAL PLASTIC CLICK AND CRACK LIKE NOISES. I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT OF THE CLOCK SPRING; MY FEARS WERE CONFIRMED FEW SECONDS LATER WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON MY CLUSTER. FINALLY, AFTER HEARING THE SAME KIND OF NOISE 3 OF 4 TIMES WHI…

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DODGE NEON 2001 MY - 43,000 MILES. TODAY, WHILE MAKING A PARKING MANEUVER I SUDDENLY HEARD SEVERAL PLASTIC CLICK AND CRACK LIKE NOISES. I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT OF THE CLOCK SPRING; MY FEARS WERE CONFIRMED FEW SECONDS LATER WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON MY CLUSTER. FINALLY, AFTER HEARING THE SAME KIND OF NOISE 3 OF 4 TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE LIGHT ENDED UP STAYING ON. IT BASICALLY MEANT THAT I HAVE NO AIRBAG AND I AM A LITTLE BIT WORRIED THAT IT MIGHT COME OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. THINK IT IS NOT NORMAL FOR SUCH A SAFETY COMPONENT TO FAIL IN SUCH WAY AFTER ONLY 43,000 MILES. I REALLY CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING I COULD HAVE DONE THAT WOULD EXPLAIN THAT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10093343

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2004
Exterior Lighting

WHILE TURNING ON THE DIMMER SWITCH FOR THE HEADLIGHT, SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT FROM UNDERNEATH THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE LOW HEADLIGHT AND FOG LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK, BUT THE HIGH BEAM LIGHT WERE OPERABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC IN…

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WHILE TURNING ON THE DIMMER SWITCH FOR THE HEADLIGHT, SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT FROM UNDERNEATH THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE LOW HEADLIGHT AND FOG LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK, BUT THE HIGH BEAM LIGHT WERE OPERABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT THE CONSUMER HAS TO CONTACT THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10092363

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2004
Exterior Lighting

SMOKE CAME OUT OF STEERING COLUMN INSIDE VECHICLE, WHICH CAUSED MY LIGHTS TO STOP WORKING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10090840

31,480 miles · Aug 31, 2004
Structure

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE NEON, WITH A WATER LEAK PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS STOOD UNCOVERED IN THE RAIN AND SNOW, AND NEVER BEFORE HAS HAD ANY WATER LEAKED IN. AND YES, THE WINDOWS AND DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE WATER HAS COME IN FROM SOMEWHERE ABOVE THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PUDDLE WAS ON THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR. THERE WERE TRACES OF WAT…

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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE NEON, WITH A WATER LEAK PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS STOOD UNCOVERED IN THE RAIN AND SNOW, AND NEVER BEFORE HAS HAD ANY WATER LEAKED IN. AND YES, THE WINDOWS AND DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE WATER HAS COME IN FROM SOMEWHERE ABOVE THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PUDDLE WAS ON THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR. THERE WERE TRACES OF WATER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I THOUGHT PURCHASING AN EXTENDED DAIMLER CHRYSLER WARRANTY WOULD BE A GOOD FORM OF PROTECTION, SINCE CHRYSLER'S ARE KNOWN TO BE INFERIOR VEHICLES. THE REASON I BOUGHT THE CAR WAS BECAUSE IT'S ALL I COULD AFFORD AT THE TIME. I REGRET IT NOW AND CURSE THE MANUFACTURER FOR NOT BACKING UP THEIR PRODUCTS OR WARRANTIES. THE WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER WATER LEAKS AND THE DEALER WANTS $100.00 TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AREA. DON'T BUY A NEON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10088897

Official recalls

4

01V154000 · 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

1

PE02082 · 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.