2001 Plymouth Neon

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 49 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags › frontal. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags › Frontal8
803
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum6
000
Vehicle Speed Control3
100
Structure3
000
Tires2
000
Suspension2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling2
000
Electrical System2
101
Air Bags2
101

3 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension
Filed May 28, 201765,000 milesNY

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 WITH ONLY 65,000 MILES ON IT AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE FRONT END ROTTED OUT.ITS A GOOD THING I WAS GOING SLOW OR I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERLY INJURED.IN ADDITION WHEN IT RAINS THE FLOOR BOARDS AND TRUNK WELL FILL WITH WATER.THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE SOLD .I JUST READ ONLINE ABOUT OTHER DRIVERS HAVING HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.

Engine
Filed May 11, 2017215,132 milesMI

SAGGING GAS TANK DUE TO BROKEN STRAP. DRIVE TRAIN SHUDDER AND CLUNK DUE TO STRETCHED DRIVE/ENGINE MOUNTS.

Suspension
Filed Jun 30, 2014125,000 milesRI

A MECHANIC WAS CHECKING THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF MY CAR WHILE PERFORMING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WHEN HE NOTICED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST AND SEVERAL CRACKS FORMING IN THE SUB FRAME. *TR

Tires
Filed May 6, 2010PA

2001 PLYMOUTH NEON, RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. *BF THE VEHICLE SUFFERED DAMAGE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0164-91)*JB UPDATED 05/13/10 *BF

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 15, 200860,000 milesOH

BROKEN TIE ROD ENDS BOTH SIDES, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, HEAD GASKET FAILURE, READ DOOR DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT CLOSE AT ALL, TRUNK WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY, BRAKES WEAR EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS, HIGH RATE OF OIL BURN OFF. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum
Filed Mar 18, 2008AL

CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIR DONE ON THEIR 2001 PLYMOUTH NEON. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL PROBLEM BEFORE THE RECALL WAS RECEIVED AND WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT. *KB THE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS REPLACED. *JB

Structure
Filed Dec 22, 2006VA

THE TRUNK SEALS LEAK. EXCESS WATER IS COLLECTED IN THE SPARE WHEEL AND SURROUNDING CARPET. THE CARPET BEGINS TO GROW MOLD. THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL NOT REALIZE THAT THERE IS MOLD GROWING IN THE SPARE TIRE SECTION OF THEIR TRUNK. MOLD CAN BE TOXIC AND EVEN DEADLY. I HAVE CLEANED THIS AREA ONCE, BUT NOW I WILL CLEAN IT AGAIN TO TRY AND KILL OF ALL OF THE MOLD. *NM

Structure
Filed Nov 9, 2006NY

MY CAR IS LEAKING WATER IN TO THE TRUNK, SPARE TIRE WELL, UNDER MY BACK SEAT AND THE BACK FLOORS. MY MOTHER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER NEON. I JUST SPOKE TO A WOMAN WHO OWNS A NEON AND SHE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE HAS TO BE A DEFECT SOMEWHERE FOR THIS MANY PEOPLE TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 17, 200649,000 milesIL

I HAD HIT THE SIDE OF A VAN WITH THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE, I WAS BRAKING WHEN I HIT HIM SO I COULD HAVE BEEN GOING BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM

Structure
Filed Apr 9, 2006MA

EVERY TIME IT RAINS MY SPARE TIRE WELL FILLS WITH WATER AND THE INTERIOR HAS PUDDLES ON THE FLOOR. MY CAR SMELLS LIKE DIRTY SOCKS AND IS GROWING MOLD. I AM STILL LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION. *NM

Seat BeltsCrash1 killed
Filed Jul 28, 2005FL

MVA, MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE ACCIDENT REPORT, SHE WAS TURNING LEFT AND THE OTHER CAR WAS ONLY GOING 25 MILES/HOUR. MY MOTHER RECEIVED INJURIES THAT CAUSED HER DEATH A WEEK LATER. IN INSPECTING THE NEON, 2001 IT APPEARED THAT THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK OUT. SHE WENT FORWARD INTO THE AIRBAG. SHE HAD A FRACTURED STERNUM AND 4 FRACTURED RIB'S, AND MULTIPLE BRUISES ( SO MANY SHE HAD TO HAVE A TRANSFUSION. HOW CAN THIS BE! SHE WAS HARDLY MOVING AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ONLY GOING 25 MILES/HOUR?*JB

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Jul 15, 200587,500 milesPA

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SEAT BELT ON THE SAFETY CLIP IN 2001 PLYMOUTH NEON BROKE. THE CHILD SEAT INSPECTOR WAS INSTALLING THE CHILD SEAT AND NOTICED THE CLIP BEING BROKE. THE SEAT BELT CLIP WAS NOTICED TODAY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE CONSUMER IWASCALLING THE MANUFACTURER TODAY TO SEE WHAT SEE COULD DO ABOUT THE CLIP. THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE HAD NOT NOTICED ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE TODAY. THE BELT WAS IN THE BACK SEAT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed May 16, 2005VT

2001 PLYMOUTH NEON AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT.*MR *JB CONSUMER STATED, HIT THE TRACTOR TRAILER HEAD ON AND AIR DID NOT DEPLOY, AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE. *BF

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed May 13, 2005CA

DT CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE AIR BAG LIGHT DID NOT COME ON ANY TIME BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 11, 200550,000 milesKY

MY DAUGHTER WAS DIRVING TO WORK, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND THEY COLLIDED. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. MY DAUGHTER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUFFERED A CONCUSSION. THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 16, 200595,000 milesMI

2001 PLYMOUTH NEON PURCHASED NEW. WHILE DRIVING,ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING LOUDLY.CONTINUED HOME FOR ABOUT 3 MORE MILES. ENGINE STILL KNOCKING,VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER,AND DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A NEW ENGINE. 95,000 MILES. NO ADVANCE WARNING OF ENGINE FAILURE, OIL CLEAN AND FULL,OIL CHANGED EVERY 4-5000 MILES.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 13, 200458,000 milesVT

A TRACTOR TRAILER SUDDENLY PULLED OUT IN-FRONT OF THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER WASN'T ABLE TO STOP BECAUSE THEIR VEHICLE SKIDDED ON A PATCH OF ICE. THE VEHICLE'S SPEED WAS 40 MPH BEFORE IT SKIDDED ON THE ICE. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO THE TRAILER HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT THE VEHICLE BOUNCED OFF THE TRAILER BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY A SUV TRUCK. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED WHIP LASH, CERVICAL STRAIN AND BACK INJURIES. *JB

Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
Filed Sep 9, 2004CA

STOCK RADIO/CASETTE DECK W/3 BAND EQUALIZER FOR MY 2001 PLYMOUTH NEON 4DR SEDAN HAS MALFUNCTION. APPEARS THE ENTIRE WIRING FOR RADIO IS DEFECTIVE. NEED SCHEMATICS FOR WIRING INCLUDING WHAT COLOR WIRE IS FOR WHAT. *AK RADIO WORKED FOR A MONTH OR SO AFTER I BOUGHT CAR IN JANUARY OF 2004. AFTER A MONTH THE DISPLAY LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF. RADIO AND/OR CASSETTE WILL NOT PLAY BUT THE RADIO STATIONS ARE STILL PROGRAMED AND THE CLOCK IS CORRECT.

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Jul 22, 2004AZ

MY AIR CONDITIONING QUIT WORKING AT 36,001 MILES. THAT'S ONE MILE OVER THE WARRANTY. I DOUBT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED ANYWAYS. THE COMPRESSOR DOES NOT KICK ON SO I THINK ITS PROBABLY THE COMPRESSOR. I LIVE IN TUCSON ITS 110 ON AVERAGE DURING THE DAY SO THE CAR REACHES A LOVELY 160, GREAT FOR LOOSING WEIGHT. SINCE THE AIR CONDITIONING WENT OUT THE CAR NO LONGER STALLS AT INTERSECTIONS. THIS CAR DOESN'T HAVE HAS MANY PROBLEMS AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD. I BOUGHT IT SO I COULD BUILD CREDIT AND THEY FINANCED ME AT 20% INTEREST. I FEEL AS THOUGH I"VE BEEN SERIOUSLY VIOLATED. THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE HAS REALLY HUMBLED ME. I REFINANCED AND USED THE REMAINDER OF THE MONEY I'VE BEEN SAVING TO COVER ANY REPAIRS THAT WILL COST 5X MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. ALSO THIS SITE DIDN'T PROVIDE THE AIR CONDITIONING OPTION SO I COULD LIST THIS PROBLEM IN THE PROPER PLACE. *JB

Steering
Filed Jan 15, 2004VA

CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE SINCE TIME OF PURCHASE WHEN IT ONLY HAD 500 MILES & WAS SUPPOSED TO BE "NEW". IT'S THE WORST VEHICLE I'VE EVER OWNED. I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND THIS HEADACHE TO ANYONE!

20 of 49 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2001 — this page49311Fatalities reported
2000141653Fatalities reported
199962020Routine
1998167141Fatalities reported
1997161120Routine
19963082110Above average
19954816294Fatalities reported
19943000Routine

Compare every Neon year →

Reading this record

1 death 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.