Total Complaints
74 filings
PLYMOUTH NEON · model year
2001 PLYMOUTH NEON
74 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2001PLYMOUTHNEON carries 74 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 18 crashes, 1 fire, 6 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 NEON is air bags:frontal with 8 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum (7) and structure (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 2001 NEON. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
74
Complaints
18
Crashes
1
Fires
6
Injuries
2
Deaths
Crashes Reported
18 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 8 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM | 7 |
| STRUCTURE | 4 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| TIRES | 3 |
| SUSPENSION | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| STEERING | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
| AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | 1 |
Recalls (3)
08E03300014/04/2008
SUSPENSION
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
00V36600009/11/2000
CHILD SEAT
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, INCLU
01V15400008/05/2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IN THE PRESENCE OF OIL AND HEAT, THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE COULD SWELL AND LOOSEN FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Recent Complaints
20170528SUSPENSION
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.
Mileage: 65,000
20170511ENGINE
SAGGING GAS TANK DUE TO BROKEN STRAP. DRIVE TRAIN SHUDDER AND CLUNK DUE TO STRETCHED DRIVE/ENGINE MOUNTS.
Mileage: 215,132
20170511FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SAGGING GAS TANK DUE TO BROKEN STRAP. DRIVE TRAIN SHUDDER AND CLUNK DUE TO STRETCHED DRIVE/ENGINE MOUNTS.
Mileage: 215,132
20170511POWER TRAIN
SAGGING GAS TANK DUE TO BROKEN STRAP. DRIVE TRAIN SHUDDER AND CLUNK DUE TO STRETCHED DRIVE/ENGINE MOUNTS.
Mileage: 215,132
20140630SUSPENSION
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
Mileage: 125,000
20140630STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
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
Mileage: 125,000
20100506TIRES
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
20080915ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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. *TR
Mileage: 60,000
20080915SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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. *TR
Mileage: 60,000
20080915STRUCTURE
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. *TR
Mileage: 60,000
20080915STEERING
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. *TR
Mileage: 60,000
20080915POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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. *TR
Mileage: 60,000
20080318SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIR DONE ON THEIR 2001 PLYMOUTH NEON. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL PROBLEM BEFORE THE RECALL WAS RECEIVED AND WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT. *KB THE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS REPLACED. *JB
20080318ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIR DONE ON THEIR 2001 PLYMOUTH NEON. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL PROBLEM BEFORE THE RECALL WAS RECEIVED AND WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT. *KB THE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS REPLACED. *JB
20061222STRUCTURE
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
20061109STRUCTURE
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
20061017CrashAIR BAGS
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
Mileage: 49,000
20060409STRUCTURE
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
20050728CrashFatalSEAT BELTS
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
20050728CrashFatalAIR BAGS
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
Compare 2001PLYMOUTHNEON to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2001 PLYMOUTH NEON have?▼
The 2001 PLYMOUTH NEON has 74 NHTSA complaints, 18 crashes, 1 fires, 6 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 PLYMOUTH NEON?▼
Yes, the 2001 PLYMOUTH NEON has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is SUSPENSION. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 PLYMOUTH NEON?▼
The most-complained component for the 2001 PLYMOUTH NEON is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM and STRUCTURE.
Is the 2001 PLYMOUTH NEON safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.