Is the 2000 Dodge Neon a bad year?
337 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 50, 3.1× a quiet Neon year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 33k–74k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2000 Neon owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 58,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 71 (21%) | 52k–87k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 43 (13%) | 32k–72k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 33 (10%) | 43k–108k miles · around this mileage | — |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 68 (20%) | too few with a mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Engine | 43 (13%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 28 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 27 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 26 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 20 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 19 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 15 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 14 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 14 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 12 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 58,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 337 complaints: 73 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 42 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Nov 2016.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2000 Dodge Neon: 11
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. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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." Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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. The nuts included in the packaging for these ball joint assemblies are missing the intended prevailing torque (Self-locking) feature.
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. In the presence of oil and heat, the brake booster vacuum hose could swell and loosen from the intake manifold. This could cause a loss of power brake assist and an increase in engine idle speed.
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." In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
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. This can prevent the throttle from fully returning to idle, which could cause a crash without warning.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front suspension lower control arms may have been inadequately welded between the pivot tube and the arm. This inadequate welding could allow the tube to separate from the arm, resulting in a loss of vehicle control.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some frontal (Passenger side) air bags may not inflate properly. In the event of a crash, the passenger may not be adequately restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 9
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2000 Dodge Neon. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
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
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Control arm welds
Neighbouring years
2001 Neon: 146 complaints, keep it.
Every Dodge Neon year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · All Neon years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2000 Dodge Neon a bad year?
337 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 50, 3.1× a quiet Neon year. At 58,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 33k–74k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Dodge Neon?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (71), electrical system (43), body structure (33), brakes (68), engine (43). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 33k–74k miles.
How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Neon have?
11 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E025000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E012000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 08E050000), Suspension (NHTSA 08E033000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.