KnownCarProblems2001 Plymouth Neon Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Plymouth Neon, most often about the brakes (29% of complaints). It is the 2nd most complained-about Neon model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2001 Plymouth Neon problems
Brakes
14 complaints · 29%Parts named most often: power assist, foundation components.
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.
Air bags
12 complaints · 25%Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
A tractor trailer suddenly pulled out in-front of the consumer. The consumer wasn't able to stop because their vehicle skidded on a patch of ice. The vehicle's speed was 40 MPH before it skidded on the ice. This resulted in the vehicle crashing into the trailer head on. Upon impact the vehicle bounced off the trailer…
My daughter was dirving to work, another vehicle ran a red light and they collided. The driver side air bag failed to deploy. My daughter hit the steering wheel and suffered a concussion. The car was totaled by the insurance company.
Electrical
7 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, horn, starter assembly.
The starter on my 2001 Plymouth Neon needed to be replaced before I even owned it for 2 years. I did not buy the extended warranty and my 3 year/36,000 mile warranty has expired by 6000 miles. I had a remote car starter installed but I have been told the remote starter more than likely did not cause the starter to…
Engine
7 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: engine.
The timing chain and valves were broken on a 2001 Plymouth Neon with 45000 miles on it. The Plymouth dealer states this damage should not happen to this car this young. The car only had .09 at purchase (1 owner car).
2001 Plymouth Neon purchased new. While driving,engine started knocking loudly.continued home for about 3 more miles. Engine still knocking,vehicle was towed to dealer,and diagnosed as needing a new engine. 95,000 miles. No advance warning of engine failure, oil clean and full,oil changed every 4-5000 miles.
Body and structure
5 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: frame and members.
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.
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.
Wheels and tires
4 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: tread/belt.
While driving about 55mph on the highway a vehicle in front of the consumer made a quick stop and the consumer hit the rear end of the others person vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy causing severe damage to the consumer.
Fuel system
4 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: fuel injection system, delivery.
Speed control
3 complaints · 6%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 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.
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 Plymouth Neon
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Plymouth Neon?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (14 complaints); air bags (12 complaints); electrical (7 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Plymouth Neon have?
- 2 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 Plymouth Neon?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Neon model year since 2000, with 49 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