NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 140 owner complaints for the 2000 Plymouth Neon. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (35) and air bags (23). The EPA rates it 24–27 mpg combined.
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.
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: 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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PLYMOUTH NEON. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE CONTACT CHANGED GEARS INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. SHE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTED INTO PARK; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK, BUT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF A FEW MINUTES LATER. SHE WAITED A WHILE BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE AND IT RETURNED TO NORMAL. SHE WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.”
“2000 NEON MY AIR BAGS AND CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN ARE NOT WORKING. I NEED A CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY AND THIS HAS HAPPEN TO OTHER CAR SAME YR AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANY THING ABOUT IT CAN YOU HELP ME. *TR”
“I HAVE A 2000 PLYMOUTH NEON AND I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR STALLS AND WAS LEAKING WATER FROM THE SIDE OF THE MOTOR I GET OUT TO CHECK IT CAR WAS IN PARK BUT THE CAR STARTED ROLLING AND RAN OVER MY FOOT. *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neon Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 31 | 27 | $2,400 | 329 |
| Neon Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,700 | 370 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
6 safety recalls as of Oct 31, 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.
Owners filed 140 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (35), air bags (23), engine and engine cooling (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2000 Plymouth Neon at 24–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).