2001 Dodge Neon Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2001 Dodge Neon has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Water intrusion into trunk and cabin floor.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2001 Dodge Neon.

Reported to NHTSA

Water intrusion into trunk and cabin floor

STRUCTURE

8 NHTSA complaints · 2003-03 → 2008-01

“TRUNK LEAKING BADLY IN RAIN, CAUSED MOLD TO GROW IN THE CAR WITH A VERY BAD ODOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10172318
“THE SEAL AROUND THE TRUNK LID IS LEAKING. THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE IN MY TRUNK FROM RAIN WATER, IT LEAKED UNDERNEATH INTO THE SPARE TIRE HOLDING AREA, THEN INTO THE BACK SEATS AND CARPET IN THE CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10147754
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10088897

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Frontal air bag non-deployment in crash

AIR BAGS

22 NHTSA complaints · 2001-04 → 2008-10

“AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HEAD ON COLLISION GOING BETWEEN 60-70 MPH ON HIGHWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10244635
“THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION YET NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10065337
“VEHICLE WAS GOING 30-35MPH AND HIT A TREE HEAD-ON. CONSUMER'S FACE HIT AGAINST STEERING WHEEL, BRUISED ON ARM. FRONT AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #891555

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering wheel detachment from column

STEERING

13 NHTSA complaints · 2001-02 → 2014-12

“WHILE PARKING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10113459
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10112444
“WAS TRAVELING 25-30MPH AND STEERING BROKE. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND HIT A DITCH. THEN, HIT AN IRON CATTLE FENCE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #880707

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unexpected engine stall and electrical shutdown

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

18 NHTSA complaints · 2001-03 → 2011-07

“THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING. I LOSE ALL POWER. I HAVE TO STEER THE CAR OFF THE ROAD, OPEN THE HOOD, FIDDLE WITH THE CABLES CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY, THE POWER CLICKS BACK ON, THEN I GET BACK IN THE CAR AND DRIVE IT TILL IT HAPPENS AGAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10049116
“ELECTRICAL FAILURE. ALL GAUGES DROP TO 0 ENGINE STALLS AND STARTS BACK UP. ALL LIGHTS BLACK OUT. VERY UNSAFE!!! CAR CAN SWERVE DUE TO POWER LOSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10045050
“CAR ELECTRICAL INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE MOVING OR PARKED. RADIO GOES OUT, ALL DIALS GO DOWN TO ZERO, POWER STEERING AND BRAKES DO NOT WORK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10107922

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Multi-function switch wiring harness smoke

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

6 NHTSA complaints · 2004-09 → 2010-09

“WHILE DRIVING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE LOW BEAM LIGHT FAILED, BUT THE HIGH BEAM WAS OPERABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10092897
“MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILURE. HARNESS AND CONNECTOR BURNED OUT. CAUSING SMALL AMOUNTS OF SMOKE, SOURCE SELF-EXTINGUISHED AND DID NOT CREATE AN EMERGENCY. ABILITY TO SWITCH HEADLAMPS AND TURN SIGNALS FAIL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10172853
“ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, SMOKE HAS BEEN EMITTED FROM BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN. INITIALLY, FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. LATER, SMOKE CAME FROM BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN, AND THE FOG LIGHTS TURNED OFF, BUT WOULD NOT TURN ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10355112

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Service brake failure and booster recall parts shortage

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

17 NHTSA complaints · 2001-07 → 2006-11

“COMPLAINANT WAS TRAVELING IN HIS DODGE NEON AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY HIS BRAKES, WHICH DID NOT WORK, AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP. HE HIT ANOTHER CAR IN THE REAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10066057
“THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE BOOSTER HOSE WAS ON RECALL (01V-154), BUT THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THERE WERE NO PARTS TO REPLACE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNWILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #564646
“WHILE DRIVING 55MPH BRAKES LOCKED UP, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8017833

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light with inoperative horn

AIR BAGS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2002-10 → 2020-02

“TODAY, WHILE MAKING A PARKING MANEUVER I SUDDENLY HEARD SEVERAL PLASTIC CLICK AND CRACK LIKE NOISES. I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT OF THE CLOCK SPRING; MY FEARS WERE CONFIRMED FEW SECONDS LATER WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON MY CLUSTER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10093343
“I WAS MAKING A TURN AROUND WHEN MY STEERING COLUMN STARTED MAKING A NOISE AND MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. AT THE SAME TIME MY HORN QUIT WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #768920
“WHILE DRIVING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON AND THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10097040

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration and accelerator pedal failure

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

9 NHTSA complaints · 2000-11 → 2020-03

“THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10430058
“ENGINE BEGAN REVING UNCONTROLLABLY. NO SPEED CONTROL- CAR ACCELERATED ON OWN WITH NO DRIVER CONTROL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #761567
“THROTTLE STUCK ON HIGHWAY WHEN ACCELERATION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11318193

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

287 crashes 1990–2024

How the 287 occupant deaths break down

195

driver deaths

90

passenger deaths

2

not recorded by seat

287

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2000 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

35

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2001 Dodge Neon reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.