2001 Plymouth NEON: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
49 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
59,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 49 complaints (16.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 11 | 22.4% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 6.1% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum | 7 |
| Structure | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum: 7; Structure: 4; Air Bags: 3; Suspension: 3; Tires: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Electrical System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 35 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 13 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
2001: 13; 2002: 7; 2003: 9; 2004: 4; 2005: 6; 2006: 4; 2008: 2; 2010: 1; 2014: 1; 2017: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10008036 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
WHEN COMING TO OR WAITING AT 4 WAY STOPS TO TURN LEFT THE CAR CHOKES AND DIES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE SOMETIMES I'AM YIELDING TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE DIAGNOSTIC AT THE DEALERS CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. PLUS THEY CHARGE ME 50 DOLLERS FOR DIAGNOSTIC HOOKUP FEES SINCE THEY CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THIS APPARENTLY IS COMMON PRACTICE AMONG MANY DEALERSHIPS AND IS REFFERED TO AS DOUBLE DIPPING SINCE THE MANUFACTURER PAYS THE DEALERSHIP EVERY TIME I BRING THE CAR IN. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFAC…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008036 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014093 · 2003-04-07 (April 7, 2003)
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 FAIL. A BRAND NEW, OR 2 YEAR OLD CAR'S STARTER SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED SO SOON. IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET REIMBURSED FOR MY REPAIR AND BRAND NEW STARTER'S COST OF $405.00 BY EITHER THE DEALER OF THE VEHICLE OR THE MANUFACTURER OR INS…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,193 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015429 · 2003-04-08 (April 8, 2003)
THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER MOTORIST, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015429 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019562 · 2003-05-09 (May 9, 2003)
ON 4/21/2003 THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER PUT OIL IN THE VEHICLE WHICH LEAKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THERE WAS A NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019562 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020991 · 2003-06-03 (June 3, 2003)
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). *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020991 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026351 · 2003-08-01 (August 1, 2003)
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. *AK *CB
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026351 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031813 · 2003-08-26 (August 26, 2003)
WHEN THE DRIVER REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THE ROTORS WARPED. *AK *SCC *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031813 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045964 · 2003-11-11 (November 11, 2003)
MY VECHILE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THE 20 TIMES. MOST OF THE PARTS WHERE REPAIRED MORE THEN THREE TIME. RECENTLY MY CAR FAILED CHECK. I WANT OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE THIS CAR IS UNSAFE IT BREAKS EVERY THREE WEEKS TO EVERY THREE TO FOUR MONTHS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10045964 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V366000 · Child Seat
Reported: 2000-11-09 (November 9, 2000)
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.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗01V154000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
Reported: 2001-05-08 (May 8, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IN THE PRESENCE OF OIL AND HEAT, THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE COULD SWELL AND LOOSEN FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND AN INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗