2000 Plymouth Neon

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 141 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags › frontal. It has been recalled 6 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
75,000 milesMedian miles at failure

40 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000105,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags › Frontal12
11010
Vehicle Speed Control7
200
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum6
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal5
311
Suspension4
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components4
101
Power Train › Automatic Transmission4
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline4
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine4
000
Unknown or Other3
103

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Suspension08E033000
Filed Apr 14, 20086,903 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Chassis Products

Defect. FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

Risk. THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum01V154000
Filed May 8, 2001353,000 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IN THE PRESENCE OF OIL AND HEAT, THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE COULD SWELL AND LOOSEN FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.

Risk. 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.

Child Seat00V366000
Filed Nov 9, 20001,211,756 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Vehicle Speed Control00V194000
Filed Jul 17, 2000263,000 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm99V114000
Filed May 6, 1999744 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED BETWEEN THE PIVOT TUBE AND THE ARM.

Risk. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal99V043000
Filed Mar 11, 1999488 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME FRONTAL (PASSENGER SIDE) AIR BAGS MAY NOT INFLATE PROPERLY.

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Feb 25, 2020175,550 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2000 PLYMOUTH NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,550.

Structure › Body
Filed May 30, 2019170,000 milesNH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 200 PLYMOUTH NEON. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOWERED TO THE GROUND AND BOTH FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT. THE CONTACTED CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHO DETERMINED THAT THE JACK WENT THROUGH THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 3, 2018160,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PLYMOUTH NEON. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SHIFTED TO THE LEFT AND BECAME DETACHED. THE DEALER (AUTONATION CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM MOBILE, 3118 GOVERNMENT BLVD, MOBILE, AL 36606, (251)-202-2253) WAS CONTACTED TO CONFIRM RECALL INFORMATION AND TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Nov 10, 2017265,500 milesWA

I STARTED MY CAR GETTING READY TO LEAVE MY HOUSE AT NIGHT, TURNED ON THE HEADLIGHTS AFTER STARTING. THEN I SMELLED A PLASTIC BURNING SMELL AND SHORTLY SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT OF THE AREA AROUND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND STEERING WHEEL. I TURNED OFF THE LIGHTS AND THE CAR BUT SMOKE STILL CAME OUT. I POPPED THE HOOD AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, THEN THE SMOKE EVENTUALLY STOPPED. LATER I FOUND THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH CONNECTOR MELTED AND BURNED UP, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS FIRE IF I HAD NOT CAUGHT IT IN TIME.

Engine
Filed May 24, 2016105,000 milesIL

FRAME OF CAR WAS SO RUSTED THAT THE ACTUAL ENGINE MOUNTING SYSTEM BROKE IN HALF., LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AND MOVEMENT. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING THEN IT STOPPED MOVING THOUGH THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. CAR WAS MOVING ON A CITY STREET AND TURNING WAS NIL.

Fuel/Propulsion SystemCrash
Filed Sep 21, 2015OH

FILLED GAS TANK TO FULL, AS EXITING THE GAS STATION HIT SMALL BUMP CAR DEAD STOPPED. WAS STOPPED IMMEDIATELY BY THE GAS TANK SLAMMING TO THE GROUND LIFTING THE CAR. THE CARS ENGINE IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN. GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT THE CAR. GAS WAS LEAKING ON GROUND (SMALL AMOUNT) FROM THE RETURN LINE. GAS TANK FILL TUBE RIPPED OUT OF CAR TANK WEDGED IN BETWEEN CAR AND GROUND STOPPING VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. HAD I BEEN GOING AT A FASTER RATE OF SPEED I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE 4 CORNER STRAPS ARE NO WAY TO HOLD A GAS TANK IN PLACE. I SUBMIT THAT IMPROPER MATERIALS AND DESIGN CAUSED THE INCIDENT. YOU MAY WANT TO LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE LOSS OF LIFE OCCURS. MOUNTING STRAPS SHOULD BE NON CORROSIVE OR MADE OF SUPERIOR MATERIAL AND NOT THIN METAL. I ALSO SUBMIT THAT I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF AN INCIDENT LIKE THIS BEFORE, NOT ON A 15 YEAR OLD VEHICLE.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 13, 2014250,000 milesNC

START TO SMELL ELECTRICAL BURNING. THEN SAW SMOKE COME FROM STEERING COLUMN. STEERING COLUMN HOT TOP LEFT. REMOVED COVERS. WIRING HARNESS HOT. APPEARS TO BE THE HARNESS FOR THE HEAD LIGHTS. TURN OFF HEAD LIGHTS AND COLUMN COOLED DOWN. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Apr 15, 201491,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PLYMOUTH NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS ON BOTH THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDES WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

Suspension
Filed Aug 10, 2012145,000 milesNJ

APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAME TO A JARRING STOP AFTER THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HIT A SMALL RECESSED GAS COMPANY ACCESS COVER, PERHAPS 2" DEEP AND 6" IN DIAMETER. THE FRAME MEMBER BETWEEN THE TWO FRONT WHEELS CRACKED RIGHT THROUGH IN A SHOWER OF RUST. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS OR MAJOR INJURIES COULD HAVE OCCURRED. 12 YEARS SEEMS TOO SOON FOR THIS KIND OF UNDERCARRIAGE WEAR TO HAVE OCCURRED. CAR IS SCRAP NOW BUT HAD BEEN RUNNING WELL. *TR

Tires
Filed Oct 14, 201196,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PLYMOUTH NEON WITH MERIT MYSTIC TOURING TR TIRES, THE SIZE WAS 195/65/R14 AND THE DOT# U9ABHU42802D13L. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. AFTER SLOWING DOWN, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BELT HAD SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE ANOTHER TIRE WAS SHOWING PREMATURE BELT SEPARATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED HER AN OPTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,000.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Oct 18, 201098,500 milesOK

2000 PLYMOUTH NEON VIN: [XXX], MULTI-FUNCTION PLUG, AND WIRING HARNESS UNDER STEERING WHEEL COLUMN MELTED AND CAUGHT FIRE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 3, 201074,000 milesPA

2000 PLYMOUTH NEON, THIS VEHICLE WAS TRAVEL AT 65 MPH ON I-78 IN PA. THE GAS/ FUEL THAT IS ATTACH THIS VEHICLE BY TWO BOLTS SNAP OFF CAUSE THE GAS/FUEL GET STUCK UNDER THE DASH. THIS CAUSE THE ENGINE TO RACE TO A HIGH SPEED. THE DRIVER HAVE TO MOVE SAFELY THIS CAR SHOULDER PLACE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. AND HEAVY APPLY THE BRAKE. THE CAR HAVE TO BE TOW. *TR

Tires
Filed Aug 6, 2010132,010 milesFL

I PURCHASED A SET OF BRIDESTONE TURANZA EL400T BL 195/60R15 87T DOT# HYKUEADR2106. THEY WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE AND THE DEALER REPLACED THEM WITH SAME TIRES. LAST NIGHT AUGUST 5, 2010 WHILE DRIVING ON I95 SOUTHBOUND JUST NORTH OF GLADES ROAD AT 65MPH MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE MADE A THUMP SOUND WHICH I BELIEVE WAS THE TREAD SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE AND SECONDS LATER THE TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER, FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, AND ALUMINUM WHEEL, LUCKLY THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT FATAL.THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND HOT, I DID NOT HIT ANY ROAD DEBRIS AND DID NOT HIT ANY POT HOLES OR SUCH. THE TIRES HAVE AN 80,000 MILE WARRANTY AND I'VE DRIVEN LESS THEN HALF. AGAIN I BELIEVE THESE TIRES TO BE DEFECTIVE FOR THE TREAD TO SEPARATE LIKE IT DID. IN ADDITION I HAVE LIFETIME TIRE ROTATIONS, BALANCING, AND ALIGNMENTS AT TIRES PLUS AND HAVE PROPERLY ROTATED THE TIRES EVERY 3,000 MILES AND KEPT A PROPER BALANCING AND ALIGNMENT OF THE VEHICLE AND TIRES. THEIR IS PLENTY OF TREAD DEPTH ON THE TIRES WELL ABOVE THE REPLACEMENT INDICATOR AND THE TIRES WERE AT PROPER INFLATION. PLEASE ADVISE! *TR

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Oct 7, 2009111,111 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PLYMOUTH NEON. WHILE A CHILD SEAT TECHNICIAN ATTEMPTED TO INSTALL A RESTRAINT SYSTEM THE REAR DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE FRACTURED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 111,111. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Engine and Engine Cooling1 injured
Filed Jun 1, 2009129,725 milesKY

I HAVE A 2000 PLYMOUTH NEON AND I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR STALLS AND WAS LEAKING WATER FROM THE SIDE OF THE MOTOR I GET OUT TO CHECK IT CAR WAS IN PARK BUT THE CAR STARTED ROLLING AND RAN OVER MY FOOT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 14, 2009100,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PLYMOUTH NEON. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE CONTACT CHANGED GEARS INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. SHE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTED INTO PARK; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK, BUT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF A FEW MINUTES LATER. SHE WAITED A WHILE BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE AND IT RETURNED TO NORMAL. SHE WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

Fuel System, GasolineCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 12, 2008116,982 milesTX

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THIS CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I PUSHED THE BRAKES AND I SLID INTO THE CAR CAUSING ME TO SPIN AROUND AND END UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES EVERY YEAR AND THEY STILL SQUEAK REALLY BAD. THE TRANSMISSION HAS LEAKED FOR THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE HAD THE CAR. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIRES EVERY 3 MONTHS AND A/C WENT OUT 3 YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAVEN'T FIXED THE A./C COMPRESSOR THE CASSETTE TAPE PLAYER STOPPED WORKING AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR AND IT'S STILL BROKE. THE BULBS IN THE LENS OF THE LIGHT ARE VERY DIM CAN'T DRIVE AT NIGHT. I HAD TO REPLACE TO ROTORS THIS YEAR I STILL HAVE THEM. *TR

Air Bags
Filed May 3, 200875,000 milesNJ

2000 NEON MY AIR BAGS AND CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN ARE NOT WORKING. I NEED A CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY AND THIS HAS HAPPEN TO OTHER CAR SAME YR AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANY THING ABOUT IT CAN YOU HELP ME. *TR

Steering › Column
Filed Mar 7, 2008NY

STRANGE SMELL COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN TODAY WITH WHITE SMOKE. STEERING COLUMN WAS VERY HOT. HAD TO TURN OFF LIGHTS. *TR

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Feb 4, 2008118,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PLYMOUTH NEON. WHILE TURNING A CORNER AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SCRAPING NOISE. BOTH OF THE FRONT TIRES SPREAD APART AS IF THEY WERE SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT BOTH BALL JOINTS AND THE CABLE FAILED. THE CRADLE, LOWER BALL JOINTS, AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DRIVETRAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V114000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER ARM) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118,000.

20 of 141 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200149311Fatalities reported
2000 — this page141653Fatalities reported
199962020Routine
1998167141Fatalities reported
1997161120Routine
19963082110Above average
19954816294Fatalities reported
19943000Routine

Compare every Neon year →

Reading this record

3 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 14, 2008. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.