The Lemon Index
20012nd generation
Worse than average · most complaints: brakes
236 owner complaints, first 3 years 24–27 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2000 Honda Civic 392000 Toyota Corolla 202000 Nissan Sentra 68
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2000 Dodge Neon
- Rust / frame corrosion19 complaintsmostly at 90,000–137,000 miles (145,000–220,000 km)
- Engine stalling18 complaints
- Head gasket12 complaintsmostly at 59,000–67,000 miles (95,000–108,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 337 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Dodge Neon (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 25,000 and 60,000 miles (40,000–97,000 km) (the middle half of the 28 complaints, of all 236 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K miles (97K km) Right in the range where most owners reported problems.
- At 100K and 150K miles (161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E025000 (lights), 09E012000 (lights) and 08E050000 (lights) done? It has 11 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Dodge sent dealers 61 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Subject regarding an a/c clunk type sound at initial engine startup”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Dodge's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 236 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 25K to 60K miles (40K to 97K km) on the car (28 of all 236 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The driver and passenger airbags did not deploy in a head on collision at approx 30mph.
2000 Dodge Neon owner · NHTSA complaint 722922
More owner reports
The vehicle experiences intermittent power surges (loss of power) when driving over 50 mph upon acceleration. Nlm
NHTSA complaint 560488
Brake squealing and moaning when are applied. Dealer has been changed front pad and rotors. Please provide further information.ts
NHTSA complaint 8023136
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 6.9M views · 2000–2005 Dodge Neon
Most-watched topics
- Fuel pump, filter & tank296K views
How to Replace the Fuel Filter / Pressure Regulator on a 2003 Dodge Neon (2000 - 2005)HVAC Mechanic · 142K views · 3 videos - Transmission & shifter255K views
How to check and add transmission fluid on a 2003 Dodge Neon (2000 - 2005)HVAC Mechanic · 85K views · 10 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door170K views
2002 Dodge Neon Evaporator & Heater Core ReplacementAJ1Overdrive · 71K views · 6 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors137K views
2002 Dodge Neon Poor IDLE Faulty PCV Valve Oil in Intake How to FixAlexey Gavrilov · 109K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- Cooling system113K views
2004 Dodge Neon thermostat replace84crx · 62K views · 3 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition81K views
2003 Dodge Neon 2.0 Wont Start or CrankAl Young Cuda · 62K views · 3 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils71K views
how to change spark plugs for a 2005 dodge neonwingdan84 · 52K views · 3 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical67K views
Dodge Neon SRT4 Starter Removal & Install (2003-2005)AutoFun · 17K views · 7 videos
Before you buy, watch
Dodge Neon 2.0, 2005 problems with dashboardRadek David · 2K views
Regular Car Reviews: 2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4Regular Car Reviews · 1.1M views
2002 Dodge Neon - ReviewMauKapranos · 116K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2000 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 61 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Subject regarding an a/c clunk type sound at initial engine startup
- High altitude engine hesitation from a standing start, high load bump / surge
- Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 11
- Lights · recall issued 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Lights · recall issued 2009
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.
- Lights · recall issued 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES.
Show all 11 recalls
- Suspension · recall issued 2008
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.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Brakes · recall issued 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Child seat · recall issued 2000
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 …
- Speed control · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
- Suspension · recall issued 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Airbags · recall issued 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedSafety belt cinching latch plate2002–2003
- ClosedControl arm welds1999–2001
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,200–$2,500 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Dodge Neon year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 5 older years (1995–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 11 Dodge Neon years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2000 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-neon/?y=2000" title="Dodge Neon reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/dodge-neon/2000/">Lemon Index</a> (2000 Dodge Neon reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2000 Dodge Neon reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 131; 100 is average, lower is better). 2000 is one of the weaker years of a model that usually draws somewhat fewer complaints than the average car. The Dodge Neon year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2005.
What are the most common 2000 Dodge Neon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (27%), airbags (22%) and engine (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Neon have?
11 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Dodge Neon get?
24 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2000 Dodge Neon problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 25,000 and 60,000 miles (40,000–97,000 km) (the middle half of the 28 complaints, of all 236 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K miles, a 2000 is right in the range where most owners reported problems. At 100K and 150K miles, a 2000 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2000 Dodge Neon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2000 Dodge Neon cost in fuel a year?
About $2,200 to $2,500 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Dodge Neon have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Dodge Neon year is better than the 2000?
Nearby, the 2002 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2005 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works