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2000 Dodge Neon: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 337 owner complaints on file for the 2000 Neon, and air bags are the most named component[1][2]. Five recalls cover this model year, from brake hoses to a front suspension arm[3].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 337 owner complaints for this car[1]. They mention 74 crashes, 6 fires, 57 injuries and 2 deaths[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one component[1].
- Air bags: 71 complaints[2], with 55 crashes and 40 injuries[2]. Median mileage at failure was 75,625[2]. In the sample of complaint texts we read, every one was about air bags not deploying or a deployment worry after a crash[2].
- Brakes: 69 complaints[5], 15 crashes and 11 injuries[5]. Median mileage was 33,000[5]. In our sample, owners describe worn rotors, shaking or pulsing when braking, and repeat pad and rotor work[5].
- Engine: 54 complaints, including 2 fires[6]. In our sample, owners describe stalling or loss of power. A few texts describe an engine fire, though two of those look like the same report[6].
- Electrical system: 43 complaints, 3 fires[7]. In our sample, owners describe a battery that dies or will not hold a charge[7].
- Structure: 33 complaints[8].
- Power train: 28 complaints[9].
- Steering: 27 complaints[10].
- Suspension: 26 complaints[11].
The samples are small, so they show what some owners wrote, not how common a problem is.
Recalls
NHTSA lists five recalls for this model year[3]. Newest first:
- Brake vacuum hose (01V154). Oil and heat can make the brake booster vacuum hose swell and come loose from the intake manifold. That could mean less power brake help and a higher engine idle. Dealers replace the hose, for free[12].
- Child seat instructions (00V366). Some owner's manuals lack step-by-step directions for attaching a child seat tether strap. A seat that is not attached properly raises the risk of injury in a crash. Owners get a manual addendum[13].
- Throttle freezing (00V194). In extremely cold weather, vapor from the crankcase ventilation system can freeze in the throttle body. The throttle may not return fully to idle, which could cause a crash without warning. Dealers replace and relocate a ventilation tube[14].
- Front lower control arm (99V114). The lower control arms may have been poorly welded. The tube could separate from the arm and cause a loss of vehicle control. Dealers replace the arm[15].
- Passenger air bag (99V043). Some passenger side air bags may not inflate properly, so a passenger may not be adequately restrained in a crash. Dealers replace the passenger side air bag module[16].
Fuel economy
EPA lists two versions of the 2.0L 4-cylinder, front-wheel drive, on regular fuel[17][4]:
| Transmission | City / Highway / Combined MPG | Est. annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic 3-spd[17] | 22 / 28 / 24 | $2,800 |
| Manual 5-spd[4] | 24 / 31 / 27 | $2,500 |
EPA's fuel cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA shows this car as not rated in its 5-Star Safety Ratings[18].
How 2000 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 976 | 6 |
| 1996 | 611 | 2 |
| 1997 | 390 | 1 |
| 1998 | 339 | 1 |
| 1999 | 116 | 0 |
| 2000 | 337 | 5 |
| 2001 | 151 | 5 |
| 2002 | 173 | 0 |
Complaints and recalls on file for each Neon model year[3]:
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 976 | 6 |
| 1996 | 611 | 2 |
| 1997 | 390 | 1 |
| 1998 | 339 | 1 |
| 1999 | 116 | 0 |
| 2000 | 337 | 5 |
| 2001 | 151 | 5 |
| 2002 | 173 | 0 |
The 2000 model year has the fifth most complaints of the eight years. Four years have more[3]. Its 5 recalls tie with 2001 and trail only 1995[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough guide.
Should you buy a used 2000 Neon?
The record is mixed. The complaint total sits in the middle of Neon years, but the air bag and brake complaints include crashes and injuries[1][2][5][3]. These are unverified reports. Check that all five recalls were done, especially the brake hose, control arm and passenger air bag[12][15][16]. Ask for service records on brakes, and have the air bag warning light checked if it stays on. Fuel economy is modest, with the manual rated higher than the automatic[17][4].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Dodge Neon?
- Owner complaints name air bags most often at 71, then brakes at 69 and the engine at 54[2][5][6].
- How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Neon have?
- NHTSA lists five recalls for this model year[3]. They cover the brake vacuum hose, child seat instructions, throttle freezing, a front control arm and the passenger air bag[12][13][14][15][16].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 337 owner complaints on file for the 2000 Dodge Neon (74 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 57 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 71 complaints name the air bags component group (55 crashes, 0 fires, 40 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,625). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Neon model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Neon, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 31 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 69 complaints name the brakes component group (15 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries, median mileage at failure 33,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 54 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 43 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 3 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,819). NHTSA vehicle records
- 33 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 28 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 27 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 26 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,390). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 01V154, filed May 8, 2001: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 00V366, filed November 9, 2000: Child Seat. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 00V194, filed July 17, 2000: Vehicle Speed Control. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 99V114, filed May 6, 1999: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 99V043, filed March 11, 1999: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Neon, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records