KnownCarProblems2000 Plymouth Neon Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 141 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Plymouth Neon, most often about the brakes (26% of complaints). It is the most complained-about Neon model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2000 Plymouth Neon problems
Brakes
36 complaints · 26%Parts named most often: foundation components, power assist, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, fluid.
I bought the car new which would not start for test drive was told someone left dome light on. After jump, it worked fine for a few thousand miles. Then went to car and would not start one day. There was no battery light on or any warning. It has happened 2 more times since then. Rear brakes wear out within a few…
Tl contact owns a 2000 Plymouth Neon. While attempting to park, the contact changed gears into reverse and the vehicle shut off. She restarted the vehicle and shifted into park; however, the vehicle continued to accelerate on its own. The brakes failed to work when the pedal was depressed. The contact was able to…
Air bags
23 complaints · 16%Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The consumer's children were driving 25 MPH when the vehicle was struck head-on by another vehicle. None of the air bags deployed . There were three injuries.
While driving SRS light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. This caused t horn to become inoperative. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the clock spring needed to be replaced and replaced it. The consumer was concered about the recall for chrysler mini vans with the…
Engine
21 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
My 2000 Plymouth Neon lx lost power at an intersection, I had it towed, found out that a hose (that I believe either connected the radiator and the transmission or was for the radiator only, not sure, wasn't explained very well to me) had fallen out for no apparent reason, causing all of the fluid to leak out. When…
Tl contact owns a 2000 Plymouth Neon. While attempting to park, the contact changed gears into reverse and the vehicle shut off. She restarted the vehicle and shifted into park; however, the vehicle continued to accelerate on its own. The brakes failed to work when the pedal was depressed. The contact was able to…
Speed control
18 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, linkages, cruise control.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Plymouth Neon. While attempting to park, the contact changed gears into reverse and the vehicle shut off. She restarted the vehicle and shifted into park; however, the vehicle continued to accelerate on its own. The brakes failed to work when the pedal was depressed. The contact was able to…
2000 Neon my air bags and cruise control and horn are not working. I need a clockspring assembly and this has happen to other car same yr and they will not do any thing about it can you help me.
Electrical
15 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 78,500 miles. Parts named most often: horn, wiring, ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery.
2000 Neon my air bags and cruise control and horn are not working. I need a clockspring assembly and this has happen to other car same yr and they will not do any thing about it can you help me.
2000 Plymouth Neon VIN: [], multi-function plug, and wiring harness under steering wheel column melted and caught fire. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Body and structure
13 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
There is an excessive amount of rust forming on the unibody structure behind the front frame support that spans the width of the car. Large pieces of flaking metal are coming off and there are holes through the metal. I fear the integraty and the streangth of the body is being weakened.
Approaching a stop sign, the vehicle suddenly came to a jarring stop after the right front wheel hit a small recessed gas company access cover, perhaps 2" deep and 6" in diameter. The frame member between the two front wheels cracked right through in a shower of rust. Fortunately this did not happen at higher speeds…
Steering
11 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: rack and pinion, column, hydraulic power assist, steering wheel/handle bar.
Driving on freeway at approx. 60mph. Steering became hard to steer. Swirved to avoid hitting side vehicles. Breaks became loose, unable to slow down. The Plymouth Neon 02, became out of control. Thereafter, spinning around to flip on it's driver side coming to a rest in an embakement. No airbags employed.
I brought my car to midas for brake work and they told me there is something wrong with the power steering. They advised me to call the dealership. I called, and they fit me in right away. I received a call from them today stating the power steering rack needs to be replaced. They advised me it is not under warranty.…
Suspension
10 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: front.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Plymouth Neon. While turning a corner at 5 MPH, the contact heard a scraping noise. Both of the front tires spread apart as if they were separating from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that both ball joints and the cable failed. The cradle, lower ball joints, and…
Approaching a stop sign, the vehicle suddenly came to a jarring stop after the right front wheel hit a small recessed gas company access cover, perhaps 2" deep and 6" in diameter. The frame member between the two front wheels cracked right through in a shower of rust. Fortunately this did not happen at higher speeds…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2000 Plymouth 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.
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.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: lower 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.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front suspension lower control arms may have been inadequately welded between the pivot tube and the arm.
Air bags: frontal
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.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some frontal (passenger side) air bags may not inflate properly.
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.
Control arm welds
Summary
There is no summary currently available
Questions about the 2000 Plymouth Neon
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Plymouth Neon?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (36 complaints); air bags (23 complaints); engine (21 complaints, typically around 76,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2000 Plymouth Neon have?
- 5 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 2000 a bad year for the Plymouth Neon?
- It is the most complained-about Neon model year since 2000, with 141 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.
Other Plymouth Neon years
- 2000
- 2001