2001 Plymouth Neon: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 49 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (27% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2017
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2014
“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”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2006
“I had hit the side of a van with the front of my vehicle, I was braking when I hit him so I could have been going between 40 and 50 mph. My air bags did not deploy. *nm”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2006
“Every time it rains my spare tire well fills with water and the interior has puddles on the floor. My car smells like dirty socks and is growing mold. I am still looking for a solution. *nm”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2006
“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”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2005
“Dt: the consumer states that the seat belt on the safety clip in 2001 plymouth neon broke. The child seat inspector was installing the child seat and noticed the clip being broke. The seat belt clip was noticed today. The manufacturer has not been contacted. The consumer iwascalling the manufacturer today to see what see could do about the clip. The owner of the vehicle had not noticed any problems before today. The belt was in the back seat on the passenger's side. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2005
“Mva, my mother was involved in an accident. According to the accident report, she was turning left and the other car was only going 25 miles/hour. My mother received injuries that caused her death a week later. In inspecting the neon, 2001 it appeared that the seat belts did not lock out. She went forward into the airbag. She had a fractured sternum and 4 fractured rib's, and multiple bruises ( so many she had to have a transfusion. How can this be! She was hardly moving and the other vehicle was only going 25 miles/hour?*jb”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2005
“Dt consumer stated the air bag did not deploy in a front end collision. The air bag light did not come on any time before the accident. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IN THE PRESENCE OF OIL AND HEAT, THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE COULD SWELL AND LOOSEN FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Neon by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Plymouth Neon reliable?
NHTSA has 49 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Plymouth Neon. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Plymouth Neon problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 59,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Plymouth Neon have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning child seat. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.