COMPLAINANT WAS TRAVELING IN HIS DODGE NEON AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY HIS BRAKES, WHICH DID NOT WORK, AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP. HE HIT ANOTHER CAR IN THE REAR.
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
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.
What owners actually said
146 reportsWHILE DRIVING 25 MPH BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS WENT OFF INADVERTENTLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED, AND IT WAS TOTALED. *AK
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION YET NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *PH *NM
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER HIT A PATCH OF ICE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE COLLIDED HEAD ON WITH A TREE, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED SLIGHT NECK AND BACK INJURIES. *AK
I BOUGHT MY NEON IN MAY OF 2001 AND IN FEB. 2002 I HAD A BAD WATER LEAK. I TOOK IT IN SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WOULD SAY IT WAS FIXED, BUT NO IT WAS NOT. I FINALLY TOLD THEM I WANT MY CARPET REPLACED WHEN THEY DO GET IT FIXED. I FOUGHT WITH THEM ROUND & ROUND, TILL THEY FINALLY SAID THEY WOULD. I SAID DO NOT PUT IT IN UNTIL WE …
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I BOUGHT MY NEON IN MAY OF 2001 AND IN FEB. 2002 I HAD A BAD WATER LEAK. I TOOK IT IN SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WOULD SAY IT WAS FIXED, BUT NO IT WAS NOT. I FINALLY TOLD THEM I WANT MY CARPET REPLACED WHEN THEY DO GET IT FIXED. I FOUGHT WITH THEM ROUND & ROUND, TILL THEY FINALLY SAID THEY WOULD. I SAID DO NOT PUT IT IN UNTIL WE KNOW FOR SURE IT WAS FIXED. THEY SAID IT WAS, PUT NEW CARPET IN AND SURE ENOUGH IT LEAKED AGAIN AND THE NEW CARPET WAS SOAKED AND STINKY, LIKE THE ORIGINAL. THEY FINALLY GOT THE LEAK FIXED AFTER 6 MONTHS, BUT THEY SURE DID NOT OFFER TO REPLACE CARPET AGAIN. THIS DEALER WAS VERY RUDE. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE MY HEADLIGHTS REPLACED, DUE TO WATER LEAK. MY CD PLAYER BROKE TWICE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, MY SUNROOF HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WENT TO A DIFFERENT DODGE DEALER, DUE TO THE RUDENESS I WOULD RECEIVE. IN THE PAST MONTH MY CAR HAS BEEN IN TWICE, ONCE IT WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY, MY HUSBAND REPLACED THE BATTERY AND IT RAN OK FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO MISS AGAIN/FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND THEY TELL ME MY SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED AND WAS GOING TO CHARGE ME $50.00 FOR LOOKING AT IT AND I ARGUED WITH THE GUY I TOLD HIM I WILL NOT PAY A DIME. HE BASICALLY THREW THE PAPERWORK DOWN AND WALKED AWAY. NOW I HAVE BEEN TO 2 DEALERS AND HAVE GOT NOTHING BUT TREATED LIKE CRAP. MY HUSBAND DID REPLACE THE PLUGS AND IT RAN OK FOR 1 1/2 WEEKS , NOW I DON?T KNOW WHERE TO GO, AND MY CAR SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO DIE WHILE IM DRIVING OR ACCELERATING. I FEEL LIKE I BOUGHT A NEW CAR TO NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS KIND OF THING. IM ABOUT READY TO GIVE UP AND JUST TRADE THE CAR IN, BUT THEN I DON?T WANT TO GIVE UP. WHEN MY CAR FIRST HAD THOSE LEAKS, I EVEN CALLED TO CORP. OFFICE OF DODGE AND WAS TREATED THE SAME. WHERE DO I TURN TO. AND IS MY CAR GOING TO HAVE ENGINE PROBLEMS NOW?
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE BACK FIRED. ALSO WHEN REVERSING VEHICLE STALLED. DEALER CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *AK
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL TOTALED. *SC *JB
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR TWO YEARS AND FOR THE LAST YEAR AND HALF I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM: THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING. I LOSE ALL POWER. I HAVE TO STEER THE CAR OFF THE ROAD, OPEN THE HOOD, FIDDLE WITH THE CABLES CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY, THE POWER CLICKS BACK ON, THEN I GET BACK IN THE CAR AND DRIVE IT TILL IT HAPPENS AG…
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I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR TWO YEARS AND FOR THE LAST YEAR AND HALF I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM: THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING. I LOSE ALL POWER. I HAVE TO STEER THE CAR OFF THE ROAD, OPEN THE HOOD, FIDDLE WITH THE CABLES CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY, THE POWER CLICKS BACK ON, THEN I GET BACK IN THE CAR AND DRIVE IT TILL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I'VE BROUGHT MY CAR INTO K & M NORTHFIELD DODGE DEALER IN GRAND RAPIDS, MI SO MANY TIMES I'VE LOST COUNT, AND THEY'VE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND OR FIX THE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY, OR IT CAN GO DAYS/WEEKS WITHOUT THE CAR SHUTTING OFF. *NLM
WHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT THE BRACKET ATTACHMENT OF THE GAS PEDAL FELL OFF AND CAUSED THE GAS PEDAL TO FALL BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL.*AK *NLM
CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGES WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
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.
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