VehicleVerdict

2000 Plymouth Neon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2000 Plymouth Neon is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 199 owner complaints run below the Neon median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 27 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (38), airbags (23), and engine (22), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

199

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

40

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

27

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Neon years?

Neon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted711 complaints1994: 3 complaints1995: 711 complaints1996: 476 complaints1997: 234 complaints1998: 237 complaints1999: 82 complaints2000: 199 complaints2001: 74 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 Plymouth Neon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes3819%
Airbags2312%
Engine2211%
Speed Control189%
Electrical System179%
Body & Structure137%
Steering116%
Transmission105%
Suspension105%
Other95%
Seat Belts74%
Fuel System74%
Lighting63%
Tires & Wheels32%
Visibility & Wipers32%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%

Does the 2000 Plymouth Neon have recalls?

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

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.

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.

“DAUGHTER INDICATED AT TIME OF ACCIDENT THAT VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. FIGURED OPERATOR ERROR AT TIME HOWEVER, MAY HAVE BEEN WRONG ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF RECALL INFORMATION. NOTE. WEATHER WAS FINE THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, NO EXTREME COLD. VEHICLE WAS ON DIRT ROAD, COMING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 21, 2000 · crash

“WHILE PARKING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT A CRUB AND THEN A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER'S BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. PLEASE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 13, 1999 · crash

“IN OCTOBER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH TWO FRIENDS THERE WAS A LEAK IN EXHUAST SYSTEM. BECAUSE EVERYONE IN VEHICLE FELL ASLEEP, THEY RAN OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A 10 FOOT ENBANKMENT. PASSENGER SUFFERED SOME SERIOUS INJURIES TO HIP/HEAD,/RM, AND SOME INTERNAL BLEEDING. ALL CONSUMERS IN VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 11, 2000 · crash

“DAUGHTER INDICATED AT TIME OF ACCIDENT THAT VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. FIGURED OPERATOR ERROR AT TIME HOWEVER, MAY HAVE BEEN WRONG ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF RECALL INFORMATION. NOTE. WEATHER WAS FINE THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, NO EXTREME COLD. VEHICLE WAS ON DIRT ROAD, COMING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 21, 2000 · crash

“TAIL LIGHTS DID NOT WORK BECAUSE THERE WAS A COMPONENT IN STEERING COLUMN THAT HAS BURNED OUT. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE YET. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 1, 2001 · fire

2000 Plymouth Neon — common questions

Is the 2000 Plymouth Neon reliable?

It is close to typical for the Neon: 199 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2000 Neon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (38 complaints), airbags (23 complaints), engine (22 complaints).

Does the 2000 Plymouth Neon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Plymouth Neon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Plymouth Neon under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Plymouth Neon years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Neon years to avoid are 1995, 1996. The cleanest record among Neon years belongs to 1994.

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.