The 2000 Dodge Neon has 4 recalls, the most serious being a throttle that can stick open in extreme cold and a front suspension lower control arm that can break away from its pivot, either of which can cause sudden loss of vehicle control.
The throttle issue occurs when vapors from the crankcase ventilation system condense and freeze inside the throttle body during very cold weather, preventing the throttle from snapping back to idle after acceleration. The suspension concern involves a weld between the lower control arm and its pivot tube that may not have adequate strength, allowing the tube to pull free from the arm and leaving the front wheel without proper support or directional control.
On the safety equipment side, the passenger-side frontal airbag may not inflate fully in a crash, leaving the front passenger without adequate protection at the moment it is most needed. There is also a brake concern: when heat and oil are present, the brake booster vacuum hose can swell and slip off the intake manifold fitting, causing the brake pedal to feel dramatically harder and require much greater foot pressure to slow the vehicle, while engine idle speed climbs at the same time.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake booster vacuum hose can swell and loosen from the intake manifold when exposed to oil and heat.
What the fix does
The brake booster vacuum hose will be replaced at no cost at an authorized dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
In extremely cold weather, moisture from the crankcase ventilation system can condense and freeze inside the throttle body, potentially affecting engine operation.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace and relocate the PCV system tube to prevent moisture buildup in the throttle body.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front suspension lower control arms may have weak welds where the pivot tube connects to the arm, potentially causing the weld to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the lower control arm with a properly manufactured part.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger-side front air bag may fail to inflate properly in a frontal crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger-side air bag module.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
