Model year record

2001 Plymouth Neon recalls & problems

The 2001 Plymouth Neon has 3 safety recalls and 49 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (14 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints49filed by owners

Crashes · fires15 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 1reported 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.

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

2001 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

26mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Neon

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 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, hydraulicPower assist › Vacuum; Foundation components › Disc	14	1	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	12	11	0	4	50,000 mi
Electrical systemHorn; Ignition	9	1	1	1	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	6	1	0	0	60,000 mi
StructureFrame and members › Underbody shields	5	0	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt	4	1	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	3	1	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system › Injectors; Delivery › Fuel pump	3	1	0	1	—
Suspension	3	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsRear/other	3	1	0	0	—
Steering	2	0	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	2	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Suspension
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.
May 24, 2017 · 65,000 miles
Engine
SAGGING GAS TANK DUE TO BROKEN STRAP. DRIVE TRAIN SHUDDER AND CLUNK DUE TO STRETCHED DRIVE/ENGINE MOUNTS.
May 11, 2017 · 215,132 miles
Suspension
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
Jun 25, 2014 · 125,000 miles
Tires
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
Mar 31, 2010
Engine and engine cooling
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
Aug 24, 2001 · 60,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
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
Jan 1, 1901
Structure
THE TRUNK SEALS LEAK. EXCESS WATER IS COLLECTED IN THE SPARE WHEEL AND SURROUNDING CARPET. THE CARPET BEGINS TO GROW MOLD. THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL NOT REALIZE THAT THERE IS MOLD GROWING IN THE SPARE TIRE SECTION OF THEIR TRUNK. MOLD CAN BE TOXIC AND EVEN DEADLY. I HAVE CLEANED THIS AREA ONCE, BUT NOW I WILL CLEAN IT AGAIN TO TRY AND KILL OF ALL OF THE MOLD. *NM
Dec 22, 2005
Structure
MY CAR IS LEAKING WATER IN TO THE TRUNK, SPARE TIRE WELL, UNDER MY BACK SEAT AND THE BACK FLOORS. MY MOTHER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER NEON. I JUST SPOKE TO A WOMAN WHO OWNS A NEON AND SHE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE HAS TO BE A DEFECT SOMEWHERE FOR THIS MANY PEOPLE TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
Oct 15, 2006

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