Neon (2nd)
Data covers 3 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
2.0-I4-Gas
2.0L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Dodge Neon Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
2.4T-I4-Gas
2.4L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 7 additional engine variants with limited data
3.3-V6-FlexFuel
3.3L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
1.8-I4-Gas
1.8L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.5-V6-Gas
3.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
4.0-I6-Gas
4.0L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.3-V6-Gas
3.3L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.7-V6-Gas
3.7L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.8-V6-Gas
3.8L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Dodge Neon, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2000-2005 Dodge Neon
On a used 2000-2005 Dodge Neon, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the electrical system (190), the airbags and driver-assist systems (174) and the engine (169). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 190 owner complaints on the 2000-2005 Dodge Neon about the electrical system.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 174 owner complaints on the 2000-2005 Dodge Neon about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 169 owner complaints on the 2000-2005 Dodge Neon about the engine, all engines combined.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 151 owner complaints on the 2000-2005 Dodge Neon about the cooling system, all engines combined.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 144 owner complaints on the 2000-2005 Dodge Neon about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
Recalls (14)
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Show 9 older recalls
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IN THE PRESENCE OF OIL AND HEAT, THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE COULD SWELL AND LOOSEN FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH 15" WHEELS, EQUIPPED WITH AN R/T PACKAGE. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN INCORRECT TIRE PLACARD. THE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH P195/50R16 TIRES BUT THE TIRE PLACARD INDICATED THAT THE RECOMMENDED TIRE SIZES WERE P185/65R14 AND P185/65R15. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SPORT APPEARANCE PACKAGE FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." CERTAIN VEHICLES BUILT WITH 16" WHEELS AND TIRES WERE EQUIPPED WITH THE INCORRECT TIRE PLACARD.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. STARTER ASSEMBLIES WERE BUILT WITH SUSPECT PLASTIC TERMINAL BLOCKS WHICH COULD DEVELOP STRESS CRACKS SUBSEQUENT TO THEIR INSTALLATION ONTO THE BODY OF THE STARTER. SEPARATION OF THE TERMINAL BLOCK FROM THE STARTER BODY COULD POTENTIALLY ALLOW THE UN-FUSED POSITIVE TERMINAL TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH AN ADJACENT SURFACE, PROVIDING A PATH TO GROUND.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS. VAPORS FROM THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) SYSTEM CAN CONDENSE AND FREEZE INSIDE OF THE THROTTLE BODY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN EXTREMELY COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED BETWEEN THE PIVOT TUBE AND THE ARM.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME FRONTAL (PASSENGER SIDE) AIR BAGS MAY NOT INFLATE PROPERLY.
Alternatives in Compact Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2000-2005 Dodge Neon complaints?
Owners have filed 1,072 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2005 Dodge Neon. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the safety systems and the engine.
Is the 2000-2005 Dodge Neon a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 1,072 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2005 Dodge Neon. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2005 Dodge Neon have?
NHTSA has 1,072 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2005 Dodge Neon as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2000-2005 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA lists 14 recalls covering some 2000-2005 Dodge Neon vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Dodge Neon?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the safety systems and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the Neon have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000-2005 Dodge Neon. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,072 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.