2000 Plymouth Neon: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2000 Plymouth Neon: 5 recalls, 141 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.

Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #99V043000 · 1999 · 488 vehicles
What's wrong: Some frontal (passenger side) air bags May not inflate properly.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the passenger May not be adequately restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the air bag module on the passenger side.
Suspension Vehicle recall #99V114000 · 1999 · 744 vehicles
What's wrong: The front suspension lower control arms May have been inadequately welded between the pivot tube and the arm.
Why it matters: This inadequate welding could allow the tube to separate from the arm, resulting in a loss of vehicle control.
The fix: Dealers will replace the lower control arm.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #00V194000 · 2000 · 263,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Vapors from the positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) system can condense and freeze inside of the throttle body when the vehicle is operated in extremely cold ambient temperatures.
Why it matters: This can prevent the throttle from fully returning to idle, which could cause a crash without warning.
The fix: Dealers will replace and relocate a pcv system tube.
Child seat Vehicle recall #00V366000 · 2000 · 1,211,756 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the child seat May not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
The fix: Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #01V154000 · 2001 · 353,000 vehicles
What's wrong: In the presence of oil and heat, the brake booster vacuum hose could swell and loosen from the intake manifold.
Why it matters: This could cause a loss of power brake assist and an increase in engine idle speed.
The fix: Dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum hose. Owner notification began July 2, 2001.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Suspension Equipment recall #08E033000 · 2008 · 6,903 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The nuts included in the packaging for these ball joint assemblies are missing the intended prevailing torque (self-locking) feature. If the incorrect nut was to become loose, the joining members May loosen leading to a separation of the ball joint. This May result in loss of vehicle control,…
The fix: Federal mogul will notify owners and replace the parts free of charge. The recall began on May 22, 2008. Owners can contact federal mogul at 877-489-6659.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 23 injuries and 3 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (36): the most common themes are noise or vibration (9), brake failure / soft pedal (3).
- Airbags (23): the most common themes are fails to deploy (10).
- Engine & cooling (20): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (8), leaks (7), noise or vibration (2).
- Speed control / throttle (18): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2000 Plymouth Neon has 141 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 8 Neon model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 172). Complaints peaked in 2001 (38 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 74,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1999 (62 complaints, 0 recalls), 2001 (49 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 31 | 27 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2000 Plymouth Neon.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2000 Plymouth Neon have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2000 Plymouth Neon, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2000 Plymouth Neon problems?
Owners have filed 141 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (36), airbags (23), engine & cooling (20).
What gas mileage does the 2000 Plymouth Neon get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2000 Plymouth Neon repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.