2000 Dodge Neon problems & reliability
337 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Dodge Neon, alongside 3 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
43 complaints report injuries (57 injured, 2 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2000 Dodge Neon vehicles were involved in 7 fatal crashes with 7 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 71 | 21% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 66 | 20% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 54 | 16% |
| Electrical System | 43 | 13% |
| Structure | 33 | 10% |
| Power Train | 28 | 8% |
| Steering | 27 | 8% |
| Suspension | 26 | 8% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 20 | 6% |
| Seat Belts | 19 | 6% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 63,000 miles (middle 50% between 39,579 and 90,000 miles), based on 95 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“When I attemped to pull out from a stoplight the vehicle wouldn't go anywhere. Almost was rearended by a tractor trailer being that I was trying to move and my foot was not on the brake to engage the brake light. ... Took a few seconds to realize it wasn't going to move and put my four ways on. This was at an…”
Power Train · filed Aug 22, 2015
“Rear seat belts do not lock up at all and have 3 other buddies that the same make and model diffrent years do the same. Its not safe for a 4 year old to be in a booster seat in the rear seat because of both of seat belts will not lock up at all. And went to dealier ship and they could not tell me why they dont lock up…”
Seat Belts · filed May 26, 2015
“Unfortunately I ran into a driver whom was in front of me due to low visibility & bad brakes. My headlights are extremely dull & foggy. Also, whomever own the car before me had the brake vacuum replaced due to recall & ever since I've purchased the car there's been a brake problem. Such as needing a new master…”
Service Brakes · filed Aug 8, 2014
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
Preliminary Evaluation PE02082 · opened Nov 6, 2002 · closed Apr 23, 2003
- CONTROL ARM WELDS
Recall Query RQ99010 · opened Jun 1, 1999 · closed Feb 5, 2001 · led to recall 99V114000
Technical service bulletins
74 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2000 Dodge Neon. The 10 most recent:
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not…
9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2020
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not…
9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2020
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery…
08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 22, 2020
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
3100319 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
3100619 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
31-005-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
31-003-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
31-006-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only…
68332810 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 7, 2016
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2000 Dodge Neon has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2000 Dodge Neon?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 63,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.