KnownCarProblems2001 Dodge Neon Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 146 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Dodge Neon, most often about the air bags (23% of complaints, typically around 53,500 miles). It is 4th of 6 Neon model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2001 Dodge Neon problems
Air bags
33 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 53,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
While driving 40 MPH vehicle was involved in a head on collision. Upon impact, the dual airbags did not deploy. As a result, driver sustained severe chest injuries.
: the contact stated while applying brake pressure at 40 MPH on the highway, there was an increased stopping distance which resulted in a rear end collision, and the airbags did not deploy. The contact was wearing a seat belt, but minor injuries were sustained. The vehicle sustained extensive front end damage. The…
Electrical
23 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery, horn.
When the consumer put the key into the ignition steering wheel fell off. Vehicle will be towed to the dealer, and the repairs will be at owner's expense.
Multi function switch in the steering column failure. Harness and connector burned out. Causing small amounts of smoke, source self-extinguished and did not create an emergency. Ability to switch headlamps and turn signals fail.
Brakes
21 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: foundation components, power assist, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
When vehicle exceed speeds of 50 MPH, the vehicle will vibrate, the vibration becomes worse when brakes are applied. Theere is also a grinding noise, but the brake pad or rotor are not worn. The dealership cannot locate the cause of the problem.
: the contact stated that the check engine light illuminated constantly. Also, the rear brakes squeaked, and there was a loss of power brake assist. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the problems. There is a NHTSA recall # 01v154000 pertaining to the…
Engine
18 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
Engine idles very rough. Car has stalled out twice this weekend while in reverse with no warning. Dealer has seen car today and said it cannot duplicate the problem so they have nothing to fix. My car has been in close to a dozen times in regards to the rough handling. Especially when A/C was on. Now it seems to have…
Head gasket problems on the 2001 Dodge Neon es sedan. Oil leakage in certain compartments, including the water coolant housing. As a result, the car started to overheat.
Steering
14 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: steering wheel/handle bar, hydraulic power assist, rack and pinion, column.
After starting the vehicle steering wheel came off. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Consumer stated daimler chrysler refused to take responsibility for manufacturing defect and refused to pay for damages.
When starting the vehicle steering wheel came off into the owner's hands. Vehicle was towed to the nearest dealer for evaluation, however the cause had not yet been determined. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but they provided no assistance.
Body and structure
13 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 51,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
- the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Neon. The contact has owned the vehicle for 2 and a half years. The driver's side seat belt retractor has failed. The contact does not feel secure in the vehicle and is unsure if the seat belts will provide protection if needed. The vehicle's dashboard was also warping and pebbling.…
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Neon. The contact stated that an independent mechanic advised that the entire sub frame was completely rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.
Lights
12 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 58,500 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, tail lights, turn signal, fog lights.
Water leaked into the front headlight lens, causing the lens to fog up. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Problem still exists.
: the contact stated when driving at 30 MPH, a wind draft was noticed in the steering wheel making it difficult to control. Upon inspection by the contact, water was notice in the back floor board. The vehicle was taken to the local dealership were they determined the seal around the tail lights had a small area that…
Speed control
10 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
While leaving a parking lot the bracket attachment of the gas pedal fell off and caused the gas pedal to fall behind the brake pedal.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Neon. The contact was driving 25 MPH when the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer, but the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 156,800 and the current mileage was 156,845.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Dodge Neon recalls
Brakes: vacuum
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.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. In the presence of oil and heat, the brake booster vacuum hose could swell and loosen from the intake manifold.
Equipment: labels
Risk: The label specifies the wrong recommended tire size. This could cause the owner to select incorrect replacement tires.
Fix: Owners will be provided with a correct label and installation instructions. Owner notification began february 14, 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.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles built with 15" wheels, equipped with an r/t package. Certain vehicles were equipped with an incorrect tire placard. The vehicles were equipped with p195/50r16 tires but the tire placard indicated that the recommended tire sizes were p185/65r14 and p185/65r15. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 110, "tire selection and rims."
Equipment: labels
Risk: The label specifies the wrong recommended tire size. This could cause the owner to select incorrect replacement tires.
Fix: Owners will be provided with a new label, or, if the owner wishes, their dealer can install the label for them.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the sport appearance package fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss 110, "tire selection and rims." certain vehicles built with 16" wheels and tires were equipped with the incorrect tire placard.
Child Seat
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Summary
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.
Questions about the 2001 Dodge Neon
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Dodge Neon?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (33 complaints, typically around 53,500 miles); electrical (23 complaints, typically around 62,000 miles); brakes (21 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Dodge Neon have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 8, 2001 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Dodge Neon?
- It is 4th of 6 Neon model years by number of complaints, with 146 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.