RoadVitals

2000 Dodge Neon Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
33
Latest Jul 23, 2014
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 337 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Dodge Neon submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 33 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

The 25 most recent of 33, in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed Jul 23, 2014

I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A ENTER SECTION AND I HIT A SLIGHT BUMP AND IT BROKE MY SUB FRAME. WHEN I WENT TO LOOK AT IT THE WHOLE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10615823
Incident
Jan 22, 2014
Mileage
283,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 3, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME BECAME RUSTED COMPLETELY. THE MIDDLE OF THE FRAME AND EACH WHEEL WHERE THE CONTROL ARM WAS LOCATED WAS ALSO RUSTED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO REPAIR AVAILABLE FOR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS OVER THE 10 YEAR STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. KMJ *TR

NHTSA ID
10505495
Incident
Mar 29, 2013
Mileage
110,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Apr 2, 2013

SUB FRAME RUSTED OUT. CHRYSLER REFUSED TO HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10505338
Incident
Apr 2, 2013
Body & structure
Filed Feb 23, 2013

MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 2000 DODGE NEON AND THE SUB FRAME BROKE AND I LOOK UNDER THE CAR THE HOLE FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT HE CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX THE CAR WHERE GLAD THAT HE WAS NOT ON THE FREE WAY WHEN IT HAPPEN IS THERE A RECALL WHERE HE CAN GET THIS FIX I BEEN LOOKING AT NEONS AND THEY ALL SEE TO BE RUSTED OUT BY LOOKING AT THE BODY YOU WOULD THINK THE SUB FRAME WOULD NOT BE LIKE THAT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10499786
Incident
Jan 11, 2013
Mileage
137,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jan 17, 2013

AS WITH A MULTITUDE OF OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE, WHENEVER THERE IS A RAIN (HEAVY OR LIGHT), WATER LEAKS INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR (MOST LIKELY THROUGH THE TRUNK, POSSIBLY AROUND THE TAILLIGHT OR ANOTHER HARD TO DIAGNOSE AREA). THE WATER WILL FILL UP THE SPARE TIRE WELL AND POOL THERE, THEN MOVE UNDER THE BACK SEATS AND THE BACK SEAT FLOORS WHERE AGAIN THE WATER POOLS AND SOAKS INTO THE LINING/CUSHIONS/INTERIOR. ALL OF THIS WATER CAUSES BOTH STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE BODY OF THE CAR (RUST AND OTHER ISSUES), PRODUCES MILDEW AND MOLD IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE (A POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARD), AND CREATES HIGHLY HUMID AND MOIST ENVIRONMENT INSIDE THE CAR. THE LEAK AND WATER HAVE ALSO AFFECTED THE REVERSE/BACKUP LIGHTING (ANOTHER HAZARD) AND RUSTED PARTS OF THE SPARE TIRE WELL. IN ADDITION THE HIGH HUMIDITY RESULTS IN INTERIOR WINDOWS BEING NOT JUST FOGGED BUT HAVING A WORRISOME AMOUNT OF CONDENSATION THAT MUST BE REMOVED BEFORE DRIVING SAFELY. NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO "SEAL" THE LEAK IN THE TRUNK TO NO AVAIL. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH FOR THIS PROBLEMS REVEALS HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE OF THE LEAK. DODGE HAS NEVER ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE WITH CONSUMERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10493281
Incident
Jan 1, 2002
Mileage
90,000 mi
Body & structureSteering
Filed Jan 9, 2013

I WAS HEARING A CLUNK UNDER MY CAR. TOOK IT TO GOODYEAR. THEY SAID IT WAS A RUSTED SUBFRAME. NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED TO THE TUNE OF 1000 DOLLARS. THEY SAID NOTHING ELSE LOOKED RUSTED. HMMMM ODD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10492052
Incident
Jan 9, 2013
Mileage
93,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Dec 14, 2012

I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS SUB-FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. HAS THERE BEEN A RE-CALL ON THE 2000 DODGE NEON? *TR

NHTSA ID
10488770
Incident
Dec 14, 2012
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 5, 2012

SEVERE CORROSION CAUSED A WEAKNESS IN THE SUSPENSION CRADLE/ ENGINE CRADLE THAT RESULTED IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM TO BREAK AWAY FROM ITS MOUNTING TO THE SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER/ CRADLE. THE CONTROL ARM AND ALL ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS SEEMED TO BE IN ACCEPTABLE CONDITION AND DID NOT EXHIBIT ANY FAILURES. THE FAILURE WAS SEVERE ENOUGH THAT THE DRIVE AXLE WAS PULLED OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY UNDRIVEABLE. I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY TO HAVE HAD THE FAILURE AT A VERY LOW SPEED WHILE TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY. THE SAME FAILURE AT POSTED SPEED (45MPH AT THE TIME) WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL AND LIKELY SEVERE CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10483446
Incident
Oct 17, 2012
Mileage
172,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 28, 2011

TURNED INTO PARKING LOT WHEN CAR SUDDENLY MADE HORRIBLE BANGING-TYPE NOISE AND SUDDENLY STOPPED. BLACK SMOKE POURED OUT OF FRONT OF CAR AND CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. WHEN MECHANIC EXAMINED VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE. THE AXLE BROKE, CONTROL ARM DROPPED AND EVERYTHING INSIDE THE FRONT OF THE CAR (I.E. ENGINE, ETC.) CRASHED TO THE GROUND! MECHANIC SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 2000 NEON. IT WAS ADVISED, DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CAR, THAT IT WAS NOT WORTH FIXING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10409169
Incident
Jun 22, 2011
Mileage
120,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 13, 2011

THE FRAME, FRONT CROSS MEMBER, RUSTED AND FAILED ON 2000 DODGE NEON. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A REPAIR FOR THIS FAILURE. I AM UNAWARE OF ANY RECALL BUT THERE SHOULD BE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE ANY LONGER. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR

NHTSA ID
10376589
Incident
Dec 26, 2010
Body & structurePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 29, 2010

MOTOR MOUNTS TO A DOGE NEON HAS BEEN WEARING OUT EVERY TWO YEARS. THEY SHOULD LAST THE USE OF THE CAR I>E 30 YRS. HAS CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO COLLAPSE. CAUSING THE CAR TO BE A DANGER TO THE PERSON DRIVING AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WALKING IN THE WAY OF A CAR THATCANNOT STOP. *CN

NHTSA ID
10322724
Incident
Jun 26, 2009
Mileage
90,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 10, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAME TO A COMPLETE AND ABRUPT STOP, HE ALSO NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GAS STATION WHERE A MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE K-FRAME HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,800 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,280.

NHTSA ID
10318438
Incident
Mar 5, 2010
Mileage
42,280 mi
Body & structureEngineOther / unspecified
Filed Jun 7, 2008

I BOUGHT A USED CAR FROM JD BYRIDER OF READING PA ,I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS SAFETY INSPECTED AND THE STICKERS ARE ON VEHICLE, COME TO FIND OUT FROM MY OWN MECHANIC THE CAR WAS NOT SAFETY INSPECTED PROPER BECAUSE THERE WAS ALOT OF THINGS FOUND DEFECTIVE ON IT LIKE ROTORS WERE WARPED BRAKE PAD FELL APART DRUMS NO GOOD BROKEN BOLTS TO OIL PAN AND REAR MAIN SEAL BROKE CAR VIBRATES WHEN AT A RIGHT LIGHT AND WHO EVER DID THE INSPECTION DIDN'T DO IT THE WAY HE WAS SUPPOSED TO WHICH I THINK WOULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10230209
Incident
Jun 2, 2008
Body & structure
Filed Jan 11, 2007

WATER LEAKING INTO THE TRUNK AREA AND THE FLOOR BOARDS OF THE REAR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSING MILDEW, RUST AND DAMAGE TO STORED PROPERTY INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10178389
Incident
Jan 7, 2007
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 11, 2006

AS MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED, WHENEVER THERE IS A HEAVY RAINFALL THE FLOORS IN THE REAR OF THE CAR FILL WITH WATER. IT IS SO BAD THAT NOW IT FILTERS OVER INTO THE FRONT SEATS. I HAVE BEEN HAIVNG THIS PROBLEMS FOR A FEW YEARS BUT WAS UNAWARE THAT THERE WERE OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. DEALERS AND AUTO MECHANICS HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN FINDING THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK. *NM

NHTSA ID
10170577
Incident
Oct 8, 2006
Body & structure
Filed May 9, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER WAS VERY RUSTY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHO AGREED, BUT THERE WAS NO CLEAR DETERMINATION OF HOW TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SEEN BY THE SERVICE DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE. UPDATED 5/31/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID
10157053
Incident
May 9, 2006
Mileage
30,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Feb 20, 2006

MAKE: DODGE MODEL: NEON TYPE: PASSENGER CAR YEAR: 2000 SUMMARY: AS NOTED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS, WITH ANY HEAVY RAINFALL, THE FLOOR IN THE BACK SEATS FILLS WITH WATER (UP TO AN INCH OR MORE). APPEARS TO BE ENTERING THROUGH THE TRUNK AREA, AS THE SPARE TIRE WELL ALSO FILLS WITH WATER. USING SPONGES AND A SHOPVAC TO SOAK UP THE WATER AND THEN LEAVING WINDOWS OPEN TO DRY IT OUT IS MY ONLY REMEDY TO THE MOISTURE AND ODOR. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2001. THE DEALER IS OF NO HELP BECAUSE (MERCIFULLY FOR OTHERS) THAT DEAL WENT BANKRUPT A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. I HAVE A LITANY OF OTHER CONCERNS WITH THE 2000 NEON. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE (CHRYSLER REFUSED TO HONOR WARRANTY - PARTLY A PROBLEM WITH RECORDS AS THE DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE/INITIAL MAINTENANCE HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS), EACH TIME I START THE CAR, THE FUSE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, THOUGH ALL FUSES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND LOOK OK. AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS HAS FAILED AND AS A RESULT I HAVE NO FUNCTIONING INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS OR EXTERIOR BACKUP LIGHTS. REPEATED EFFORTS BY SEVERAL REPAIR FACILITIES TO LOCATE THE CORRECT HARNESS HAVE FAILED. VEHICLE HAS UNDER 72,000 MILES OF RELATIVELY EASY CITY DRIVING (COMMUTE TO WORKPLACE) OR DIVIDED HIGHWAY DRIVING), YET MOST FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM COMPONENTS HAVE FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED (ALL STRUTS, SWAY BARS, ETC). TRANSMISSION FLUID HOSE OR CONNECTOR FAILED ON FEB 19, 2006, RESULTING IN SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF FLUID. *NM

NHTSA ID
10150653
Incident
Feb 19, 2006
Body & structureElectricalTransmission
Filed Sep 2, 2005

DT: WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND FIRST STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT ON THE OUTSIDE LANE THE GREEN LIGHT CAME ON ,AND THE CAR WAS IN FIRST GEAR. WHEN TRYING TO PLACE CAR IN SECOND GEAR CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT AND FELT THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE GEARS. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD TO THE NEAREST TURNOFF LANE. A POLICE OFFICER FOLLOWED CONSUMER AS TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER, AND THE DEALER SAID THE CROSSOVER CABLE BROKE. NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. CONSUMER HAD THIS REPAIRED AND HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE REPAIR. *AK THE BATTERIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. THE GASKET WERE REPLACED BECAUSE WATER WAS GETTING INSIDE THE CAR DURING RAINSTORM. THE RIGHT FRONT MOTOR MOUNT CRACKED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10130298
Incident
Jul 23, 2005
Mileage
44,819 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 18, 2005

DT: THE FRONT PART OF THE SUBFRAME ON CALLER'S VEHICLE RUSTED. THE RUST WAS FALLING OFF THE VEHICLE IN BIG PIECES. DEALER SAID TO CALL MANUFACTURER. ON THE OTHER HAND, MANUFACTURER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. CALLER SAID THE VEHICLE WAS A CHRYSLER NEON. DIDGE DID NOT APPEAR ON THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10133292
Incident
Aug 17, 2005
Mileage
131,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 25, 2005

WHENEVER IT RAINS, I HAVE A LOT OF WATER ON THE BACK FLOORBOARDS AND TRUNK. SOMETIMES IT'S ABOUT AN INCH OR TWO HIGH. WE'VE TRIED NUMEROUS WAYS TO CONTROL IT OR EVEN TO GET IT DRY SO THAT IT WOULD NOT MILDEW. IT DOES NOT WORK AND IT SMELLS REALLY BAD NOW. IT SEEMS TO BE A FACTORY PROBLEM AND WILL TRY TO GET DEALER TO FIX. SEEMS LIKE MANY PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL DOING THAT BUT MORE COMPLAINS FROM PEOPLE SOMEDAY MAY HELP. *NM

NHTSA ID
10107900
Incident
Jan 1, 2005
Body & structure
Filed Apr 6, 2004

THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO A MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE CHECK. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE FRAME THAT HOLDS THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE IS BREAKING DOWN. *MR

NHTSA ID
10066623
Mileage
42,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureBrakes+2 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

BOUGHT CAR FROM FATHER IN LAW, HE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. HE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH IT.SOON AFTER I BOUGHT FROM HIM IN 2000(IT WAS STILL NEW!),POWER WINDOWS QUIT WORKING THEN STARTED WORKING AGAIN.CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT, STILL DONT WORK. FRONT END CRASH 2003 MAY, 4783.45 IN DAMAGE, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT 40MPH !!! I HAD CAR REPAIRED BY NON CHRYSLER GARAGE AS PER ADVICE OF ERIE INSURANCE CO. ERIE WONT COVER BECAUSE THEY SAY ITS CHRYSLER'S PROBLEM, CHRYSLER SAYS ITS MY PROBLEM BECAUSE WORK WAS DONE AT NON DAIMLER CHRYSLER GARAGE AND THEY WERE RUDE AND HUNG UP ON ME! ERIE TOLD ME TO HAVE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK DONE ON IT BECUZ IN AUG 03 THE AIR BAG LITE STARTED TO COME ON AND HORN WONT WORK. I HAD THE CHECK DONE AND THEY SAID CLOCKSPRING NEEDS REPLACED. NOT ERIE OR CHRYSLER WILL FIX.

NHTSA ID
10071137
Incident
Oct 15, 2003
Mileage
44,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 3, 2003

WATER COMES IN THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK DURING HEAVY RAINS WATER ENTERS THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. WATER HAS DAMAGED FAN BLOWER, DASHBOARD, CARPET, SEATS, HOOD AND PANELS. DUE TO WATER DAMAGE MOLD IS FORMING ON THE VEHICLE CARPET.*MR

NHTSA ID
10046252
Incident
Nov 3, 2003
Mileage
44,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Aug 11, 2003

BRAKES SQUEAK USUALLY IN THE MORNING, DEALER MENTIONED SURFACE RUST ON DRUMS AND ROTORS, ADVISED TO SET PARKING BRAKE EACH EVENING. RIGHT REAR DOOR LEAKS. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10032560
Incident
Jul 17, 2003
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+2 more
Filed Nov 20, 2002

THERE IS A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. *JG THERE WAS ALSO A GRINDING NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS, THE LEFT FRONT AXLE HAD MADE A GRINDING NOISE, AND THE VEHICLE LEAKED WHEN IT HAD RAINED. *SCC

NHTSA ID
568324
Mileage
12,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .