2001 Dodge Neon RT Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Dodge Neon RT, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical337.5%
- Engine112.5%
- Interior & seats112.5%
- Exterior lighting112.5%
- Steering112.5%
- Suspension112.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS CAR HAS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE TURN SIGNALS, HEADLIGHTS, AND FOGLIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY BLOWS FUSES. THE DEALER QUOTED ME OVER $98.00 PER HOUR TO "DIAGNOSE" THE PROBLEM, AND COULD NOT OFFER ANY HOPE OF HOW MANY HOURS IT WOULD TAKE TO FIX. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AS NO CIRCUIT COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN ALTERED IN ANY WAY. I OBTAINED A NEW MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH, HOPING THIS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR IS CRACKED DUE TO HEAT AND PARTIALLY MELTED. THE INDIVIDUAL SPADE CONNECTORS ARE BLACKENED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CURRENT DRAW THROUGH THEM. THIS IS DANGEROUS AT BEST, POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC AT WORST.
IN 2004 I HAD TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH, FAST FORWARD TO APRIL 2008 AND THE SAME SYMPTOMS OCCURRED, DANGEROUSLY HOT STEERING COLUMN, AND SMOKE COMING OUT OF IT. I THINK THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN (ORIGINAL COST TO REPLACE WAS $1,100). I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN A REASON FOR A RECALL, DOES SOMEONE NEED TO DIE BEFORE THIS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED? I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
RECENTLY PURCHASED MY NEON STILL HAVE TO REGISTER IT IN MY NAME WHEN THE FRONT BUSSINGS IN THE STABILIZER BAR LITERLY FELL OUT AND I WAS IN A RURAL AREA N HAD TO TIE IT TOGETHER USING SHOE LACES AND WIRE THAT I FOUND I THOUGHT TO LOOK ON THE RECALLS LIST TO FIND MY NEON HAS ALMOST EVERY PROBLEM LISTED ON THE SAFTY RECALL FOR A 2001 NEON I AM A SINGLE PARENT FULL TIME COLLEGE STUDENT THIS IS MINE AND MY DAUGHTERS ONLY TRANSPORTATION SOME ONE LOOKED UNDER IT AND SAID OUR HEALTH AND SAFETY ARE AT RISK EVERY TIME WE GET INTO THE CAR HOW DO I GET THESES THINGS FIXED WHAT DO I DO THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION N GOT VERY WOBBLEY ALLSO THE ENGINE WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH FOOT ON BREAK GETS RUFF AND WILL DIE SOMETIMES I PUT BRAND NEW TIRES ON IT BRIOR TO THE BUSHING FALLING OUT FROM FIRESTONE AND THEY WOULD HAVE SEEN PROBLEM IF IT WASNT SOME KIND OF DEFECT, I HAVE RECEIPTS FOR MAINTENENCE OIL CHANGE SPARK PLUGS COIL PACKS FUEL FILTERECT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN 2004 I HAD TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH, FAST FORWARD TO APRIL 2008 AND THE SAME SYMPTOMS OCCURRED, DANGEROUSLY HOT STEERING COLUMN, AND SMOKE COMING OUT OF IT. I THINK THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN (ORIGINAL COST TO REPLACE WAS $1,100). I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN A REASON FOR A RECALL, DOES SOMEONE NEED TO DIE BEFORE THIS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED? I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
SAFETY ISSUE. MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH FOR THE LIGHT SYSTEM IS MELTING TO THE WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO FAIL. PERIODICALLY THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD STOP WORKING AND THEN START AGAIN. AS THE PROBLEM PROGRESSES SMOKE RELEASES FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAIL. THIS PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO BY A LICENSED MECHANIC, WITH DODGE REPLACEMENT PARTS, AND IS OCCURRING AGAIN. PROBABLE FIRE PROBLEM. CONTACTED DODGE AND THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED SINCE BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I NEED TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED SOON AND WILL KEEP THE PARTS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
RECENTLY PURCHASED MY NEON STILL HAVE TO REGISTER IT IN MY NAME WHEN THE FRONT BUSSINGS IN THE STABILIZER BAR LITERLY FELL OUT AND I WAS IN A RURAL AREA N HAD TO TIE IT TOGETHER USING SHOE LACES AND WIRE THAT I FOUND I THOUGHT TO LOOK ON THE RECALLS LIST TO FIND MY NEON HAS ALMOST EVERY PROBLEM LISTED ON THE SAFTY RECALL FOR A 2001 NEON I AM A SINGLE PARENT FULL TIME COLLEGE STUDENT THIS IS MINE AND MY DAUGHTERS ONLY TRANSPORTATION SOME ONE LOOKED UNDER IT AND SAID OUR HEALTH AND SAFETY ARE AT RISK EVERY TIME WE GET INTO THE CAR HOW DO I GET THESES THINGS FIXED WHAT DO I DO THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION N GOT VERY WOBBLEY ALLSO THE ENGINE WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH FOOT ON BREAK GETS RUFF AND WILL DIE SOMETIMES I PUT BRAND NEW TIRES ON IT BRIOR TO THE BUSHING FALLING OUT FROM FIRESTONE AND THEY WOULD HAVE SEEN PROBLEM IF IT WASNT SOME KIND OF DEFECT, I HAVE RECEIPTS FOR MAINTENENCE OIL CHANGE SPARK PLUGS COIL PACKS FUEL FILTERECT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
RECENTLY PURCHASED MY NEON STILL HAVE TO REGISTER IT IN MY NAME WHEN THE FRONT BUSSINGS IN THE STABILIZER BAR LITERLY FELL OUT AND I WAS IN A RURAL AREA N HAD TO TIE IT TOGETHER USING SHOE LACES AND WIRE THAT I FOUND I THOUGHT TO LOOK ON THE RECALLS LIST TO FIND MY NEON HAS ALMOST EVERY PROBLEM LISTED ON THE SAFTY RECALL FOR A 2001 NEON I AM A SINGLE PARENT FULL TIME COLLEGE STUDENT THIS IS MINE AND MY DAUGHTERS ONLY TRANSPORTATION SOME ONE LOOKED UNDER IT AND SAID OUR HEALTH AND SAFETY ARE AT RISK EVERY TIME WE GET INTO THE CAR HOW DO I GET THESES THINGS FIXED WHAT DO I DO THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION N GOT VERY WOBBLEY ALLSO THE ENGINE WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH FOOT ON BREAK GETS RUFF AND WILL DIE SOMETIMES I PUT BRAND NEW TIRES ON IT BRIOR TO THE BUSHING FALLING OUT FROM FIRESTONE AND THEY WOULD HAVE SEEN PROBLEM IF IT WASNT SOME KIND OF DEFECT, I HAVE RECEIPTS FOR MAINTENENCE OIL CHANGE SPARK PLUGS COIL PACKS FUEL FILTERECT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .