The Lemon Index
200020022nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: airbags
110 owner complaints, first 3 years 24–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2001 Honda Civic 922001 Toyota Corolla 242001 Nissan Sentra 120
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2001 Dodge Neon
- Engine stalling10 complaints
- Headlights8 complaintsmostly at 29,000–80,000 miles (47,000–128,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 151 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 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 31,000 and 48,000 miles (51,000–77,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 110 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 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 10 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Dodge sent dealers 47 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “No start condition in cold temperatures due to 5 volt regulator failure”?
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 110 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 31K to 48K miles (51K to 77K km) on the car (25 of all 110 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
While driving at 45 mph consumer hit a patch of ice and lost control of the vehicle. Vehicle collided head on with a tree, and the air bags did not deploy. Consumer sustained slight neck and back injuries.
2001 Dodge Neon owner · NHTSA complaint 10057731
More owner reports
Complainant was traveling in his Dodge Neon at approximately 30 mph when he attempted to apply his brakes, which did not work, and he was not able to stop. He hit another car in the rear.
NHTSA complaint 10066057
While driving 40 mph applied brakes and without warning brakes malfunctioned, resulting in a collision. Driver sustained minor injuries.
NHTSA complaint 8004513
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 2001 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 47 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- No start condition in cold temperatures due to 5 volt regulator failure
- Powertrain control module initialization
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 10
- 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 10 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.
- Equipment · recall issued 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH 15" WHEELS, EQUIPPED WITH AN R/T PACKAGE.
- Equipment · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SPORT APPEARANCE PACKAGE FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." CERTAIN VEHICLES BUILT WITH 16" WHEELS AND TIRES WERE EQUIP…
- 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 …
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
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 $2,300–$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. 2001 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 2001 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-neon/?y=2001" 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/2001/">Lemon Index</a> (2001 Dodge Neon reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2001 Dodge Neon reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 76; 100 is average, lower is better). The Dodge Neon year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2005.
What are the most common 2001 Dodge Neon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (27%), brakes (18%) and electrical (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Dodge Neon have?
10 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 2001 Dodge Neon get?
24 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 Dodge Neon problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 31,000 and 48,000 miles (51,000–77,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 110 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2001 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 2001 Dodge Neon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2001 Dodge Neon cost in fuel a year?
About $2,300 to $2,500 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Dodge Neon have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Dodge Neon year is better than the 2001?
Nearby, the 2004 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half 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