Problems · by component

2000 Dodge Neon engine and engine cooling problems

59 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2000 Dodge Neon cite engine and engine cooling, 16% of all 361 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
59
16% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine and engine cooling

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“WHEN YOU DRIVE THE CAR ACTS LIKE IT HAS A BAD SPARK PLUG BUT WEN YOU CHECK ONE IS FULL OF OIL ITS SHUTS OFF WHEN IT DOES THAT AND IT TAKES A MINUTE TO START BACK UP. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 1, 2008Engine and engine coolingODI 10219800
“CAR JUST SHUT DOWN ON INTERSTATE WHILE I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH. AFTER BEING TOWED TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE CAR STARTED BACK UP WITH NO PROBLEM FOR AWHILE, NOW THE CAR IS MAKING NOISE. FOR YEARS PRIOR TO THIS THE CAR DOES NOT STOP OCCASIONALLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 28, 2007Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine coolingODI 10213134
“I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW. I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO DRIVES IT AND I HAVE USED SYNTHETIC OIL THE ENTIRE TIME. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN CARE OF IT. I WAS ON THE OFF RAMP OF I-85 WHEN IT JUST STOPPED. IT WAS SMOKING AND THEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS IN A DANGEROUS PLACE ON THE OFF RAMP AND OIL WAS SPILLING OUT OF THE BOTTOM. WE HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT HAD TWO CRACKED HEADS. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THIS HAPPENED I WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET ABOUT THIS AND I HAVE CALLED CHRYSLER AND REGISTERED A COMPLAINT BECAUSE I HAVE FOUND OUT ABOUT ALL THE SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE 2.7 LITER ENGINE. CHRYSLER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS ENGINE OR THEY WOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL. EVERY PARTS PERSON, MECHANIC, DEALERSHIP, ETC. THAT I HAVE TALKED TO HAVE MENTIONED THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS ENGINE. IT SEEMS AS IF EVERYONE KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT CHRYSLER. THEY ASKED IF I HAD ALL THE RECORDS FROM EVERY TIME THAT I HAVE EVER HAD THE OIL CHANGED. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I WOULD THINK ABOUT KEEPING. I DON'T THINK THEY WOULD HAVE DONE ANYTHING EVEN IF I HAD THE RECORDS. THEY…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2007Engine and engine coolingODI 10198397
“WATER LEAKING IN BRAKE POWER BOOSTER CAUSE BRAKES TO FREEZE IN COLD; BRAKE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; ABS SYSTEM DISCONNECT- NOT WORKING PROPERLY - CONTROLLER GIVEN OFF ERROR CODE - POSSIBLE NEED TO BE REPLACE; ALL BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHTS ON IN CAR - NO DIAGNOSIS FOR PROBLEM; RATTLING NOISE IN DASH BOARD; HIGH HUMMING NOISE UNDER CAR WHEN DRIVE - UNABLE TO HEAR RADIO BETWEEN RATTLING & HUMMING NOISES; AC WORK BUT NO HEAT; WHEN DRIVING WHEELS SOMETIMES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO FALL OFF; RECENTLY FOUND OUT CAR FAILED NYS EMISSION TEST ON DATE OF PURCHASE; I FILED COMPLAINT WITH BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU REGARDING DEALER WHERE I BROUGHT CAR FROM - THEY HAVE FAILED TO RESPOND. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 8, 2007Suspension, Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine coolingODI 10184518
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE NEON. WHILE HAVING THE TIRES REPLACED,THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THERE WAS A HEAD GASKET LEAK. THE DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS. ALSO, THE CONTACT ALSO SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,150, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,200.*AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 26, 2007Engine and engine coolingODI 10183532

Showing 6 of 59 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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