Dodge Neon
Reliability, NHTSA Complaints & Recall History
6 model years analyzed (2000–2005). All data sourced directly from the NHTSA public complaints and recall database — the same data used by federal regulators.
Checking a specific Dodge Neon? Run a VIN check for its exact history.
⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
AI Reliability Analysis
PoorThe DODGE NEON (2000-2005) has a high number of complaints and recalls, indicating significant reliability issues. Top concerns include electrical system failures, air bag problems, and engine cooling issues, with many crash-related complaints.
Thoroughly inspect the electrical system and air bags before purchase, and check if all recalls have been addressed. Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic.
- Electrical system failures
- Air bag malfunctions
- Engine cooling problems
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
41 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
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Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2000–2005. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 1,113 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
1,113 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
MERGED INTO THE SIDE OF ME
WHEN I ATTEMPED TO PULL OUT FROM A STOPLIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO ANYWHERE. ALMOST WAS REARENDED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER BEING THAT I WAS TRYING TO MOVE AND MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE BRAKE TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE LIGHT. ... TOOK A FEW SECONDS TO REALIZE IT WASN'T GOING TO MOVE AND PUT MY FOUR WAYS ON. THIS WAS AT AN INTERSECTION WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 45. VEHICLE FINALLY ENGAGED BUT WAS LEAKING TRANS FLUID. GOT IT HOME IN 1ST GEAR AND NOW THE CAR IS CONSTANTLY ENGAGED IN DRIVE. WHEN STARTED IN PARK THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD. THE FIRST TIME I STARTED IT AFTER GETTING IT HOME I ALMOST RAN OVER THE PERSON LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD. ODD THING IS THAT THERE IS STILL FLUID IN THE TRANS... AT ADD BUT STILL THERE AND THE LEAK HAS STOPPED. TRANS IS STILL ACTING LIKE IT DID THE DAY IT FAILED THOUGH.
REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK UP AT ALL AND HAVE 3 OTHER BUDDIES THAT THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL DIFFRENT YEARS DO THE SAME. ITS NOT SAFE FOR A 4 YEAR OLD TO BE IN A BOOSTER SEAT IN THE REAR SEAT BECAUSE OF BOTH OF SEAT BELTS WILL NOT LOCK UP AT ALL. AND WENT TO DEALIER SHIP AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHY THEY DONT LOCK UP AND TOLD ME TO CALL COUSTMER LINE AND TELL THEM BUT NO ANSWARE IF IT GOING ON WITH MORE THAN ONE AND ITS A SAFTEY HASARED SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE CAR.....
UNFORTUNATELY I RAN INTO A DRIVER WHOM WAS IN FRONT OF ME DUE TO LOW VISIBILITY & BAD BRAKES. MY HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DULL & FOGGY. ALSO, WHOMEVER OWN THE CAR BEFORE ME HAD THE BRAKE VACUUM REPLACED DUE TO RECALL & EVER SINCE I'VE PURCHASED THE CAR THERE'S BEEN A BRAKE PROBLEM. SUCH AS NEEDING A NEW MASTER CYLINDER, NEW PROPOSITIONING, NEW BRAKE SHOES, AND WHEEL CYLINDER. I HAVE RECEIPTS OF ALL WORK COMPLETED. I HAVE A ONE YEAR OLD WHOM RIDE ALONG AND I'M HIGHLY CONCERNED ABOUT HIS SAFETY. I LOVE THE CAR BUT IF IT CONTINUES I WILL JUNK OUT MY CAR AND LOOK TO SUE DODGE CHRYSLER AND WHOMEVER ELSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE MAKING OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
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
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
SUB FRAME RUSTED OUT. CHRYSLER REFUSED TO HELP. *TR
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
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
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
I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS SUB-FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. HAS THERE BEEN A RE-CALL ON THE 2000 DODGE NEON? *TR
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
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN THE PASSING LANE. A WHITE SUV TRIED PASSING ANOTHER CAR THAT WAS TO HER RIGHT. THE SUV MISJUDGED AND HIT THE REAR RIGHT PANEL OF MY DAUGHTERS NEON SENDING HER INTO THE MEDIAN WHERE THERE ARE WIRE GUARD RAILS. SHE HIT THE GUARD RAIL ON THE DRIVERS FRONT LEFT DAMAGING THE BUMPER, FENDER, WHEEL, RIM STEERING RACK AND EVERYTHING ON THE LEFT FRONT OF THE CAR. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE STATE POLICE FILLED A POLICE REPORT WHICH STATES NO FAULT OF NEON DRIVER AND THE SUV TOOK OFF. *TR
MY DAUGHTER HIT ICE ON A BRIDGE GOING ABOUT 40 -45 MPH SPUN AND STRUCK THE GUARDRAIL HEAD ON AND WHILE SPINNING HIT GUARDRAIL WITH FRONTEND AT LEAST ONE OR MORE TIMES, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THIS HAPPENED ON 2/20/2012. SHE HIT HER JAW ON THE STEERING WHEEL, LUCKILY THERE WAS NO BROKEN BONE JUST VERY SORE. THE OFFICER AT THE ACCIDENT STATED THAT WE SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER ABOUT THIS. THE CAR BELONGED TO MY STEPMOTHER BEFORE MY DAUGHTER, AND SHE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY RECALL NOTICES ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER WERE REPORTED INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE BRAKES (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V154000-SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST: VACUUM) BUT NOT FOR THE SEAT BELT AND AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME AND BECAME A PERMANENT ISSUE. IN ADDITION, THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE DURING THE SAME TIME OF THE AIR BAG INDICATOR MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE CONTACT WHO DETECTED THE CLOCK SPRING WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
FOG LIGHTS NOT WORKING. *TR
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
THERE HAS BEEN SMOKE COMING FROM BEHIND THE MULTISWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SMELL OF BURNT ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IS NOTICED WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS EVENTUALLY QUIT AND THEN THE HIGH BEAMS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE JIGGLED NOW GIVING ME LOW BEAMS, AND NO HIGH BEAMS. THE ELECTRICAL WIRES CONNECTING TO THE MULTISWITCH WAS REPLACED FOUR YEARS BEFORE BECAUSE IT HAD BURNED THE CONNECTION IN HALF. NOW THE MULTISWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED AND UPON REPLACEMENT THE CONNECTION WAS EXAMINED, NOTICING THAT IT WAS MELTED. *TR
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
Showing 20 of 1,113 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check a Specific Dodge Neon
This page shows fleet averages across all 6 model years. Enter a VIN to see the exact accident history, odometer records, title brands, and open recall status for a specific car.
📖 Understanding This Data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Dodge Neon has 1,113 complaints on record across 6 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Dodge Neon has 41 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 204 of the Dodge Neon's 1,113 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the AI Rating Calculated?
The AI reliability rating (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. The rating provides a plain-English summary for buyers who want a quick verdict without parsing raw numbers. It is one input in your buying decision — always verify with a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Dodge Neon vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Dodge Neon vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Dodge Neon has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
Is This Data Saved in Firebase & Indexed by Google?
Yes — intentionally. When you first visit this page, our server fetches live data directly from the NHTSA public API (no key required), processes it, and caches it in Google Firebase Firestore for 24 hours. The fully rendered HTML — with all NHTSA complaints, recalls, NCAP ratings, and investigations — is then indexed by Google Search. This is by design: caching real government data in Firebase lets us serve comprehensive vehicle safety pages instantly, while giving Google Bots rich structured content to rank for searches like "Dodge Neon reliability" or "NHTSA recalls." No personal data is stored — only public NHTSA records are cached. You can always verify everything directly at nhtsa.gov.