2001 Plymouth Neon 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 Plymouth Neon, 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
- Brakes1521.1%
- Airbags1216.9%
- Electrical811.3%
- Engine79.9%
- Body & structure57.0%
- Tires & wheels45.6%
- Fuel system45.6%
- Seat belts34.2%
- Suspension34.2%
- Driver assistance34.2%
- Steering22.8%
- Visibility11.4%
- Heating & air conditioning11.4%
- Other / unspecified11.4%
- Powertrain (other)11.4%
- Transmission11.4%
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
MY VECHILE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THE 20 TIMES. MOST OF THE PARTS WHERE REPAIRED MORE THEN THREE TIME. RECENTLY MY CAR FAILED CHECK. I WANT OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE THIS CAR IS UNSAFE IT BREAKS EVERY THREE WEEKS TO EVERY THREE TO FOUR MONTHS. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
SAGGING GAS TANK DUE TO BROKEN STRAP. DRIVE TRAIN SHUDDER AND CLUNK DUE TO STRETCHED DRIVE/ENGINE MOUNTS.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
SAGGING GAS TANK DUE TO BROKEN STRAP. DRIVE TRAIN SHUDDER AND CLUNK DUE TO STRETCHED DRIVE/ENGINE MOUNTS.
FUEL SYSTEM DEFECT. *LA
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
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
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN THE DRIVER REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THE ROTORS WARPED. *AK *SCC *NLM
WHEN BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS, RESULTING IN AN IMPACT IN REVERSE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATED PROBLEM. BOTH DEALERSHIP AND INSURANCE COMPANY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE.*AK CONSUMER STATES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START.*JB
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
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
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!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
SAGGING GAS TANK DUE TO BROKEN STRAP. DRIVE TRAIN SHUDDER AND CLUNK DUE TO STRETCHED DRIVE/ENGINE MOUNTS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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 .