2001 Dodge Neon Rt recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. STARTER ASSEMBLIES WERE BUILT WITH SUSPECT PLASTIC TERMINAL BLOCKS WHICH COULD DEVELOP STRESS CRACKS SUBSEQUENT TO THEIR INSTALLATION ONTO THE BODY OF THE STARTER. SEPARATION OF THE TERMINAL BLOCK FROM THE STARTER BODY COULD POTENTIALLY ALLOW THE UN-FUSED POSITIVE TERMINAL TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH AN ADJACENT SURFACE, PROVIDING A PATH TO GROUND.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION COULD OVERHEAT THE STARTER WIRING, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STARTER TERMINAL BLOCK JUMPER HARNESS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 NEON RT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V416000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. STARTER ASSEMBLIES WERE BUILT WITH SUSPECT PLASTIC TERMINAL BLOCKS WHICH COULD DEVELOP STRESS CRACKS SUBSEQUENT TO THEIR INSTALLATION ONTO THE BODY OF THE STARTER. SEPARATION OF THE TERMINAL BLOCK FROM THE STARTER BODY COULD POTENTIALLY ALLOW THE UN-FUSED POSITIVE TERMINAL TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH AN ADJACENT SURFACE, PROVIDING A PATH TO GROUND.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD OVERHEAT THE STARTER WIRING, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STARTER TERMINAL BLOCK JUMPER HARNESS.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 27, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 2001 Dodge Neon Rt owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (3), Steering (1), Suspension (1), Engine (1), Lights (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (5)
06/27/2017 · Steering
RECENTLY PURCHASED MY NEON STILL HAVE TO REGISTER IT IN MY NAME WHEN THE FRONT BUSSINGS IN THE STABILIZER BAR LITERLY FELL OUT AND I WAS IN A RURAL AREA N HAD TO TIE IT TOGETHER USING SHOE LACES AND WIRE THAT I FOUND I THOUGHT TO LOOK ON THE RECALLS LIST TO FIND MY NEON HAS ALMOST EVERY PROBLEM LISTED ON THE SAFTY RECALL FOR A 2001 NEON I AM A SINGLE PAREN…
10/01/2015 · Electrical system
THIS CAR HAS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE TURN SIGNALS, HEADLIGHTS, AND FOGLIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY BLOWS FUSES. THE DEALER QUOTED ME OVER $98.00 PER HOUR TO "DIAGNOSE" THE PROBLEM, AND COULD NOT OFFER ANY HOPE OF HOW MANY HOURS IT WOULD TAKE TO FIX. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AS NO CIRCUIT COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN ALTERED IN A…
04/16/2008 · Electrical system · fire
IN 2004 I HAD TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH, FAST FORWARD TO APRIL 2008 AND THE SAME SYMPTOMS OCCURRED, DANGEROUSLY HOT STEERING COLUMN, AND SMOKE COMING OUT OF IT. I THINK THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN (ORIGINAL COST TO REPLACE WAS $1,100). I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN A REASON FOR A RECALL, DOES…
10/23/2007 · Lights
SAFETY ISSUE. MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH FOR THE LIGHT SYSTEM IS MELTING TO THE WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO FAIL. PERIODICALLY THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD STOP WORKING AND THEN START AGAIN. AS THE PROBLEM PROGRESSES SMOKE RELEASES FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAIL. THIS PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO BY A LICENSED MECHANIC, WITH…
01/19/2003 · Electrical system
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16TH, 2003: WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, MY LIGHTS TURNED OFF. I STOPPED AND THEN DISCOVERED MY HIGH BEAMS STILL OWRKED. DROVE HOME SUNDAY, JANUARY 19TH, 2003: ATTENDED FUNERAL OF UNCLE AND DID GET TO LEAVE TILL DARK. DROVE HOME WITH HIGH BEAMS. WHEN ARRIVED HOME, LOW BEAMS NOW WORK CONDITONS: WAS EXTREMELY COLD, TEMPERATURE WELL BELO…