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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
90,000 miles · Sep 12, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, SMOKE HAS BEEN EMITTED FROM BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN. INITIALLY, FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. LATER, SMOKE CAME FROM BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN, AND THE FOG LIGHTS TURNED OFF, BUT WOULD NOT TURN ON. 1 MONTH LATER, MORE SMOKE CAME FROM BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN, WITH A BAD ODOR, AND THE HEADLIGHTS ST…

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ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, SMOKE HAS BEEN EMITTED FROM BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN. INITIALLY, FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. LATER, SMOKE CAME FROM BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN, AND THE FOG LIGHTS TURNED OFF, BUT WOULD NOT TURN ON. 1 MONTH LATER, MORE SMOKE CAME FROM BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN, WITH A BAD ODOR, AND THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. NOW, I HAVE HAD TO BUY THE MFS (MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH) BUT IT DOES NOT WORK, AS THE WIRING HARNESS AND WIRES ARE BURNED. THE DODGE DEALER SAYS THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING LOOM HAS TO BE REPLACED FOR SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE, AND HAVE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE. MY CONCERN IS THAT HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, ETC, SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE, AND I HAVE SEEN THAT MANY OTHER NEON OWNERS HAVE HAD TAILLIGHTS GO OUT, TURN SIGNALS NOT OPERATE, ETC. I CHECKED 7 CARS IN JUNK YARDS TODAY, AND FOUND THAT ALL OF THEM HAD BURNED WIRES AND HARNESSES. DODGE SHOULD REMEDY THIS ISSUE, WHICH IS CLEARLY RELATED TO SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355112

77,590 miles · Apr 5, 2010
Tires

WAS DRIVING AT 50MPH, WHEN MY RT FRONT NOKIAN TIRE WENT FLAT. WHEN I CHANGED THE TIRE A NOTICED THAT THE GREEN PLUG WAS MISSING. THERE WAS A GREEN PLUG IN THE LF FRONT TIRE, SO I KNEW THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. AS OF RIGHT NOW, I WAS TOLD NOKIAN NO LONGER MAKES THAT TYPE OF TIRE WITH THE GREEN PLUG SO I AM GOING TO HAVE TO GET A NEW …

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WAS DRIVING AT 50MPH, WHEN MY RT FRONT NOKIAN TIRE WENT FLAT. WHEN I CHANGED THE TIRE A NOTICED THAT THE GREEN PLUG WAS MISSING. THERE WAS A GREEN PLUG IN THE LF FRONT TIRE, SO I KNEW THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. AS OF RIGHT NOW, I WAS TOLD NOKIAN NO LONGER MAKES THAT TYPE OF TIRE WITH THE GREEN PLUG SO I AM GOING TO HAVE TO GET A NEW ONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10323723

114,000 miles · Oct 7, 2008
Air BagsCrash

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HEAD ON COLLISION GOING BETWEEN 60-70 MPH ON HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244635

72,000 miles · Jan 3, 2008
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER LEAKED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR WHEN IT RAINS. HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHERE THE CAUSED OF THE LEAK. AS OF JANUARY 3, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,500.

NHTSA ODI #10213583

33,880 miles · Dec 27, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING (MPH UNKNOWN) HE HEARD A LOUD RINGING NOISE THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART TO VEHICLE AFTER ADJUSTING THE WIRING HARNESS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MAIN CABLE INTO THE BATTERY CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING (MPH UNKNOWN) HE HEARD A LOUD RINGING NOISE THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART TO VEHICLE AFTER ADJUSTING THE WIRING HARNESS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MAIN CABLE INTO THE BATTERY CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY FIVE MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,880 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MAIN CABLE INTO THE BATTERY CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY FIVE MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,880 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000. UPDATED 04-07-08 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10212912

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2007
Structure

LEAKY TRUNK AND BACK SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209000

77,000 miles · Sep 25, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE NEON. THE VEHICLE HAS DUNLOP SP SPORT, SIZE 19550R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE SIDEWALL SHREDDED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VEHICLE CURRENT AND…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE NEON. THE VEHICLE HAS DUNLOP SP SPORT, SIZE 19550R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE SIDEWALL SHREDDED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VEHICLE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 77,000. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED

NHTSA ODI #10204044

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages

DOORS HAVE TROUBLE CLOSING AND STAYING CLOSED UNTIL THEY DONT CLOSE AT ALL. ALL FOUR DOORS ON MY CAR HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP GETTING A NEW DOOR MECHANISM SO THE DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL CLOSE. OTHER THREE WILL HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AND REPLACED.DOORS OPEN WHEN YOU ARE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND STAY OPEN.…

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DOORS HAVE TROUBLE CLOSING AND STAYING CLOSED UNTIL THEY DONT CLOSE AT ALL. ALL FOUR DOORS ON MY CAR HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP GETTING A NEW DOOR MECHANISM SO THE DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL CLOSE. OTHER THREE WILL HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AND REPLACED.DOORS OPEN WHEN YOU ARE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND STAY OPEN. COULD BE POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10185640

51,000 miles · Jan 23, 2007
Seat BeltsStructure

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 2 AND A HALF YEARS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR HAS FAILED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL SECURE IN THE VEHICLE AND IS UNSURE IF THE SEAT BELTS WILL PROVIDE PROTECTION IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD WAS ALSO WARPING AND PEBBLING. UP…

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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 2 AND A HALF YEARS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR HAS FAILED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL SECURE IN THE VEHICLE AND IS UNSURE IF THE SEAT BELTS WILL PROVIDE PROTECTION IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD WAS ALSO WARPING AND PEBBLING. UPDATED 2/22/2007 -*NM

NHTSA ODI #10179471

51,000 miles · Nov 14, 2006
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT 40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE WAS AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE POLICE W…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT 40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE WAS AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10173460

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.