Research · Compact Cars

2000 Dodge NeonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 361 owner complaints for the 2000 Dodge Neon. Most complaints involve air bags (72) and service brakes, hydraulic (63). The EPA rates it 24–27 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
24–27mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
11campaigns
Latest May 2009
Owner complaints
361
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

11 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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."

Exterior lightingReported Aug 11, 2008NHTSA 08E050000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

361 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 1999 – Nov 2016
  1. Air bags72
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic63
  3. Engine and engine cooling59
  4. Electrical system42
  5. Structure31
  6. Suspension31
  7. Power train28
  8. Steering27
  9. Seat belts19

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Neon model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996621
1997396
1998351
1999163
2000361
2001151
2002184
Crashes reported
74
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
60
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

72 reports55 crashes
“MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN THE PASSING LANE. A WHITE SUV TRIED PASSING ANOTHER CAR THAT WAS TO HER RIGHT. THE SUV MISJUDGED AND HIT THE REAR RIGHT PANEL OF MY DAUGHTERS NEON SENDING HER INTO THE MEDIAN WHERE THERE ARE WIRE GUARD RAILS. SHE HIT THE GUARD RAIL ON THE DRIVERS FRONT LEFT DAMAGING THE BUMPER, FENDER, WHEEL, RIM STEERING RACK AND EVERYTHING ON THE LEFT FRONT OF THE CAR. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE STATE POLICE FILLED A POLICE REPORT WHICH STATES NO FAULT OF NEON DRIVER AND THE SUV TOOK OFF. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 5, 2012Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10457549

Service brakes, hydraulic

63 reports12 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER WERE REPORTED INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE BRAKES (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V154000-SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST: VACUUM) BUT NOT FOR THE SEAT BELT AND AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 10, 2012Service brakes, hydraulic, Air bags, Seat beltsCrash reportedODI 10443308

Engine and engine cooling

59 reports2 crashes2 fires
“I BOUGHT A USED CAR FROM JD BYRIDER OF READING PA ,I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS SAFETY INSPECTED AND THE STICKERS ARE ON VEHICLE, COME TO FIND OUT FROM MY OWN MECHANIC THE CAR WAS NOT SAFETY INSPECTED PROPER BECAUSE THERE WAS ALOT OF THINGS FOUND DEFECTIVE ON IT LIKE ROTORS WERE WARPED BRAKE PAD FELL APART DRUMS NO GOOD BROKEN BOLTS TO OIL PAN AND REAR MAIN SEAL BROKE CAR VIBRATES WHEN AT A RIGHT LIGHT AND WHO EVER DID THE INSPECTION DIDN'T DO IT THE WAY HE WAS SUPPOSED TO WHICH I THINK WOULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 7, 2008Engine and engine cooling, Structure, EquipmentODI 10230209
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 3-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Neon
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243127$2,300329
Neon
Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222824$2,600370
  • Neon
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    24 city · 31 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Neon
    Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    22 city · 28 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Dodge Neon as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 4135
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2000 Neon questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Neon have?

11 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2000 Dodge Neon problems?

Owners filed 361 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (72), service brakes, hydraulic (63), engine and engine cooling (59). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Dodge Neon get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Dodge Neon at 24–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026