VehicleVerdict

2000 Dodge Neon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 489 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.1 times the median Neon year — the 2000 model ranks #4 of 13 Neon years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 90 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (76), airbags (71), and engine (56), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

489

NHTSA complaints

11

Recalls

2

Investigations

104

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

90

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Neon years?

Neon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted1,415 complaints1993: 4 complaints1994: 10 complaints1995: 1,415 complaints1996: 887 complaints1997: 553 complaints1998: 451 complaints1999: 152 complaints2000: 489 complaints2001: 199 complaints2002: 230 complaints2003: 290 complaints2004: 141 complaints2005: 133 complaints
Neon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Neon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Dodge Neon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes7616%
Airbags7115%
Engine5611%
Electrical System5010%
Body & Structure347%
Steering296%
Transmission286%
Suspension265%
Tires & Wheels214%
Speed Control204%
Seat Belts194%
Visibility & Wipers153%
Lighting153%
Other133%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)51%
Seats41%
Fuel System41%
Latches & Locks31%

Does the 2000 Dodge Neon have recalls?

11 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

08E033000SuspensionApril 14, 2008 · 6,903 units

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.

Consequence

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.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

01V154000BrakesMay 8, 2001 · 353,000 units

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.

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.

00V366000Child SeatNovember 9, 2000 · 1,211,756 units

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.

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.

00V194000Speed ControlJuly 17, 2000 · 263,000 units

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.

Consequence

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.

99V114000SuspensionMay 6, 1999 · 744 units

Defect

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

Consequence

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.

99V043000AirbagsMarch 11, 1999 · 488 units

Defect

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

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHEN DRIVING AT 20-40 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES WHEN VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE, BUT VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP IN A TIMELY MANNER, CAUSING CONSUMER TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK INSURANCE COMPANY INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, 01V154, CONSUMER HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALL, INSURANCE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 1, 2001 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING THROUGH SHOPPING CENTER AT ABOUT 25 MPH TRIED TO MAKE LEFT TURN DOWN LANE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN MID TURN AND MY SON LOOKED DOWN TO SEE WHY WHEEL LOCKED AND SLAMMED HEAD ON INTO A CONCRETE LIGHT POST, CAUSING OVER $4000.00 IN DAMAGE TO THE CAR. ALSO THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 1, 2001 · crash

“CAR WAS RUNNING, BUT PARKED. ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE, BURNING COMPLETELY THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. MY SON ESCAPED, THE FLAMES ENGULFED THE ENGINE, BOTH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WERE AT THE SCENE. HE LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS BURNED BEYOND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 16, 1999 · fire

“WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 10, 2002 · fire

“VEHICLE WAS IN A ACCIDENT, RIGHT PASSENGER'S SIDE AND RIGHT SIDE WERE AFFECTED. IN ORDER FOR VEHICLE TO LINE UP VEHICLE HAD TO REMODELED. BUMPER WAS NOT PUT ON PROPERLY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 17, 2001 · crash

2000 Dodge Neon — common questions

Is the 2000 Dodge Neon reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 489 complaints put the 2000 model at #4 of 13 Neon years. It is one of the Neon years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Neon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (76 complaints), airbags (71 complaints), engine (56 complaints).

Does the 2000 Dodge Neon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Dodge Neon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Dodge Neon under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Neon years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Neon years to avoid are 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 1998. The cleanest record among Neon years belongs to 1993.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.