2001 Dodge Neon Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about airbags that did not deploy in frontal collisions, and about electrical faults where gauges, lights and the engine cut out. Many reports are tied to water getting into the car — through the trunk seal, the floor and around the tail lights — and several steering complaints describe the wheel coming loose or the power assist failing. Mileage at the time of a report ranges widely, from under 10,000 to over 150,000 miles.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Airbags did not deploy in a frontal crash

   • 28 complaints (19%)
   • median 53,500 mi at 3.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 23 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2008

   Complaints describe front-end collisions, often at 30 to 45 mph, in which neither the driver nor the passenger airbag went off. Some owners say the airbag warning light stayed on beforehand, and in a few cases a dealer traced the light and an inoperative horn to a clock spring that needed replacement. One owner noted the repair matched a clock spring recall that their vehicle was not included in. Reported across a wide range: from around 10,000 to about 100,000 miles, usually after a collision.

   What to check: Ask whether the airbag warning light has ever come on and whether the clock spring or airbag system has been inspected; confirm the light is out and stays out after start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Our car was struck by a hit and run driver while our son was in the process of parallel parking the car, the car was not moving but it was running. The car that hit ours was going about 40 miles per hour and did quite a bit of damage however the air bags never deployed. We contacted chrysler corp. And they sent an investigator to the repair shop. He at first could not get any information off of the air bag system because all of the wires to the air bag system had been cut in the accident. …”

   NHTSA complaint #763416, filed 2002-06

   “Consumer called complaining about having problems with air bags. Consumer was driving and was involved in a frontal collision. The vehicle air bags did not deploy and a s result the driver sustained severe injuries. Manufacturer and dealer were contacted, and they knew of the problem, but would not get involved.”

   NHTSA complaint #10032001, filed 2003-09, 36,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Electrical shutdown: gauges drop, lights go out, engine

   • 61 complaints (42%)
   • median 45,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2020

   Complaints describe all gauges dropping to zero, the lights blacking out and the engine quitting, sometimes restarting after the battery cables or wiring harness are moved. Several owners report repeated shop visits and replaced parts — computer module, ignition switch, relays, alternator, battery cable — without a lasting fix. Others describe a burning smell and smoke from behind the steering column, with headlights or fog lights failing and a multi-function switch and burned harness found. Most commonly reported between about 30,000 and 90,000 miles; a few at higher mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask about any history of stalling or dash lights going out, inspect the battery cables and ground strap, and check the multi-function switch and harness at the steering column for heat or scorching.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1. Under normal driving conditions 2. The passenger seat back mounting bracket broke a weld. Thus making the passenger seat useless, and dangerous to any backseat passengers. 3.took to the dealership, they told me that the part would not be covered under any waranty(car is at 45,000 miles) and that I should go to a private repair shop and have it welded back, or I would have to buy a new seat for >$500.”

   NHTSA complaint #10116748, filed 2005-04, 45,000 miles

   “Yes I have a 2001 Dodge NEON and when I drive it will just quit on me, when it quits on me, there are no headlights ,nothing. But when the car quits I can get out and play with the postive cable wire and everything comes back on. I have taken my car into the Dodge company here in red bluff and chico and they could not find the cause of promblem. This is a problem to me... I put the start date below and this problem happens sometimes everyday or every other day.”

   NHTSA complaint #10033495, filed 2003-08, 29,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering wheel comes loose or power assist fails

   • 8 complaints (5%)
   • median 62,000 mi at 4.4 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2002–2014

   Several owners report the steering wheel detaching from the column when starting or driving the car, requiring a tow. Others describe the power steering cutting out so the wheel becomes very hard to turn, with a dealer tracing it to a leaking steering pump that was replaced. Complaints note difficulty getting the dealer to accept responsibility for the repair. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 102,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Turn the wheel through its full range with the engine running and listen for noise or binding, check for steering fluid leaks, and ask whether the steering column has ever been repaired; a service bulletin describes revised power steering bleeding procedures.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1) started the car in parking lot and steering wheel broke off 2) could not drive, steering wheel fell. My wife and my 2 year daughter were in the car. Luckily no accident. ) towed the car to a Dodge dealer. At this time, daimler-chrysler is evaluating what to do with the defect (to pay or not to pay). They have failed to provide proper service. It has been 3 weeks with no support on a rental nor a decision to repay the defect. Hence, the car is still at the dealer which causes a major inconvenience to my family.”

   NHTSA complaint #10112444, filed 2005-03

   “When starting the vehicle steering wheel came off into the owner's hands. Vehicle was towed to the nearest dealer for evaluation, however the cause had not yet been determined. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but they provided no assistance.”

   NHTSA complaint #10115167, filed 2005-04, 62,000 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Water leaks into floor, trunk and rear seat area

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe water pooling on the driver or rear passenger floor after rain, puddles in the trunk and spare tire well, and water soaking the rear carpet. Some trace it to the trunk lid or tail light seals; others cannot find the source. In a few reports the leak led to mold and odor in the carpet and rear seating. Reported from roughly 25,000 to 72,000 miles, typically after the car sat outside in rain or snow.

   What to check: Check the spare tire well, rear carpet and driver-side floor for dampness, stains or mold smell, and look at the trunk and tail light seals.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought my NEON in may of 2001 and in feb. 2002 I had a bad water leak. I took it in several times and they would say it was fixed, but no it was not. I finally told them I want my carpet replaced when they do get it fixed. I fought with them round & round, till they finally said they would. I said do not put it in until we know for sure it was fixed. They said it was, put new carpet in and sure enough it leaked again and the new carpet was soaked and stinky, like the original. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10070655, filed 2004-01, 25,000 miles

   “I have a 2001 Dodge NEON, with a water leak problem. The car has always stood uncovered in the rain and snow, and never before has had any water leaked in. And yes, the windows and doors were closed. The water has come in from somewhere above the brake pedal. The puddle was on the driver side floor. There were traces of water on the brake pedal. I thought purchasing an extended daimler chrysler warranty would be a good form of protection, since chrysler's are known to be inferior vehicles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10088897, filed 2004-08, 31,480 miles

Buying note. This model year draws a fairly wide spread of complaints, so a careful inspection matters more than mileage: check for water intrusion in the floors and trunk, confirm the airbag light behaves correctly, and test the steering and cooling system. Service records showing what has already been replaced help show whether the electrical and steering problems have appeared.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.