Model year record

2000 Plymouth Neon recalls & problems

The 2000 Plymouth Neon has 6 safety recalls and 141 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (38 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints141filed by owners

Crashes · fires29 · 5reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths23 · 3reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionApr 14, 2008

Suspension

Recall 08E0330006,903 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulicMay 8, 2001

Power assist › Vacuum

Recall 01V154000353,000 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IN THE PRESENCE OF OIL AND HEAT, THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE COULD SWELL AND LOOSEN FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND AN INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED.
Fix: 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.

Child seatNov 9, 2000

Child seat

Recall 00V3660001,211,756 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.

Vehicle speed controlJul 17, 2000

Vehicle speed control

Recall 00V194000263,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CAN PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM FULLY RETURNING TO IDLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE AND RELOCATE A PCV SYSTEM TUBE.

SuspensionMay 6, 1999

Front › Control arm › Lower arm

Recall 99V114000744 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED BETWEEN THE PIVOT TUBE AND THE ARM.
Risk: THIS INADEQUATE WELDING COULD ALLOW THE TUBE TO SEPARATE FROM THE ARM, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM.

Air bagsMar 11, 1999

Frontal

Recall 99V043000488 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME FRONTAL (PASSENGER SIDE) AIR BAGS MAY NOT INFLATE PROPERLY.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PASSENGER MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG MODULE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2000 Plymouth Neon 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Neon

27mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Neon

24mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Power assist › Vacuum	38	6	0	3	—
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	23	17	1	11	59,214 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	21	1	0	2	70,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Linkages	18	8	1	3	100,000 mi
Electrical systemHorn; Ignition › Switch	16	0	5	0	78,500 mi
StructureBody; Body › Door	13	0	0	0	96,500 mi
SteeringRack and pinion › Rack; Column	11	1	0	1	81,000 mi
SuspensionFront › Control arm › Lower arm; Front	10	0	0	0	111,500 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	10	0	0	0	—
Unknown or other	8	2	0	4	42,000 mi
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Rear/other	7	3	0	2	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights › Switch; Turn signal › Flasher unit	6	0	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2000 PLYMOUTH NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,550.
Feb 18, 2020 · 175,550 miles
Structure › Body
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 200 PLYMOUTH NEON. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOWERED TO THE GROUND AND BOTH FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT. THE CONTACTED CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHO DETERMINED THAT THE JACK WENT THROUGH THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Apr 29, 2019 · 170,000 miles
Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PLYMOUTH NEON. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SHIFTED TO THE LEFT AND BECAME DETACHED. THE DEALER (AUTONATION CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM MOBILE, 3118 GOVERNMENT BLVD, MOBILE, AL 36606, (251)-202-2253) WAS CONTACTED TO CONFIRM RECALL INFORMATION AND TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Oct 2, 2018 · 160,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
I STARTED MY CAR GETTING READY TO LEAVE MY HOUSE AT NIGHT, TURNED ON THE HEADLIGHTS AFTER STARTING. THEN I SMELLED A PLASTIC BURNING SMELL AND SHORTLY SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT OF THE AREA AROUND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND STEERING WHEEL. I TURNED OFF THE LIGHTS AND THE CAR BUT SMOKE STILL CAME OUT. I POPPED THE HOOD AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, THEN THE SMOKE EVENTUALLY STOPPED. LATER I FOUND THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH CONNECTOR MELTED AND BURNED UP, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS FIRE IF I HAD NOT CAUGHT IT IN TIME.
Nov 9, 2017 · 265,500 miles
Engine
FRAME OF CAR WAS SO RUSTED THAT THE ACTUAL ENGINE MOUNTING SYSTEM BROKE IN HALF., LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AND MOVEMENT. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING THEN IT STOPPED MOVING THOUGH THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. CAR WAS MOVING ON A CITY STREET AND TURNING WAS NIL.
May 17, 2016 · 105,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion systemCrash
FILLED GAS TANK TO FULL, AS EXITING THE GAS STATION HIT SMALL BUMP CAR DEAD STOPPED. WAS STOPPED IMMEDIATELY BY THE GAS TANK SLAMMING TO THE GROUND LIFTING THE CAR. THE CARS ENGINE IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN. GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT THE CAR. GAS WAS LEAKING ON GROUND (SMALL AMOUNT) FROM THE RETURN LINE. GAS TANK FILL TUBE RIPPED OUT OF CAR TANK WEDGED IN BETWEEN CAR AND GROUND STOPPING VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. HAD I BEEN GOING AT A FASTER RATE OF SPEED I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE 4 CORNER STRAPS ARE NO WAY TO HOLD A GAS TANK IN PLACE. I SUBMIT THAT IMPROPER MATERIALS AND DESIGN CAUSED THE INCIDENT. YOU MAY WANT TO LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE LOSS OF LIFE OCCURS. MOUNTING STRAPS SHOULD BE NON CORROSIVE OR…
Sep 11, 2015
Electrical systemFire
START TO SMELL ELECTRICAL BURNING. THEN SAW SMOKE COME FROM STEERING COLUMN. STEERING COLUMN HOT TOP LEFT. REMOVED COVERS. WIRING HARNESS HOT. APPEARS TO BE THE HARNESS FOR THE HEAD LIGHTS. TURN OFF HEAD LIGHTS AND COLUMN COOLED DOWN. *TR
Jul 13, 2014 · 250,000 miles
Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PLYMOUTH NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS ON BOTH THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDES WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Mar 12, 2014 · 91,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATEClosed
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.
PE02082 · opened Nov 6, 2002 · closed Apr 23, 2003
CONTROL ARM WELDSClosedLed to recall 99V114000
There is no summary currently available
RQ99010 · opened Jun 1, 1999 · closed Feb 5, 2001