Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Dodge Neon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Neon. The contact stated that while attempting to stop the vehicle, the anti-lock braking system failed and caused her to crash into the rear of another vehicle. The seat belts did not properly restrain and the air bags did not deploy. The contact and a passenger were reported injured and transported to the hospital via ambulance. The police were notified and a police report was filed. The vehicle was severely damaged and towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who advised that there was an open recall on the vehicle for the brakes (NHTSA campaign id number: 01V154000-service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum) but not for the seat belt and air bags. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 129,000.
Bought car from father in law, he bought the car new. He had no problems with it.soon after I bought from him in 2000(it was still new!),power windows quit working then started working again.cruise control went out, still dont work. Front end crash 2003 May, 4783.45 in damage, air bag did not deploy at 40mph !!! I had car repaired by non Chrysler garage as per advice of erie insurance co. Erie wont cover because they say its Chrysler's problem, Chrysler says its my problem because work was done at non daimler Chrysler garage and they were rude and hung up on me! Erie told me to have diagnostic check done on it becuz in aug 03 the air bag lite started to come on and horn wont work. I had the check done and they said clockspring needs replaced. Not erie or Chrysler will fix.
My daughter hit ice on a bridge going about 40 -45 MPH spun and struck the guardrail head on and while spinning hit guardrail with frontend at least one or more times, the airbags did not deploy. The car was a total loss. This happened on 2/20/2012. She hit her jaw on the steering wheel, luckily there was no broken bone just very sore. The officer at the accident stated that we should contact a lawyer about this. The car belonged to my stepmother before my daughter, and she did not receive any recall notices on this vehicle.
Dual air bags did not deploy when the car collided with the guardrail head on at approximately 70 MPH after loosing control of the vehicle caused by bad weather. Vehicle spinned hitting the guardrail two more times, passenger side and rear of vehicle. Insurance company said that the vehicle is a total loss. Chrysler corporation was notified and are looking into it, they requested location of the vehicle so they could look at it. Accident caused injuries to driver and to passenger.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40 MPH hitting a patch of ice, the vehicle fish tailed, hit a tree, flipped on it's top and the frontal airbags did not deploy. This occurred without any prior warning and a police report was filed at the scene. The occupant was wearing a seat belt and received minor injuries. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The dealership and manufacturer were not alerted.
I was in an accident. Going about 65 miles an hour.. I rear ended someone on the freeway. I had my cruise control at the time.. Was a car and a half away. The car ahead of me stopped very suddenly I didn't have time to react when I hit him head on. My air bags did not deploy.
My 16 year old daughter was driving her 2000 Dodge Neon, lost control and rolled a minimum of four times. Neither of the front air bags deployed, and it's a miracle any one survived. The car is totaled and no one can justify why the air bags did not deploy.
I have a Dodge Neon 2000. On the morning of January 29, 2004, my airbag signal appeared with a ringing noise for a brief moment. Later that day, the signal began to appear more often when turning my steering wheel. The following morning, I had the dealership to diagnose the problem. I was later informed 5 hours later it was the clockspring and it was not covered under the manufacture nor the extended warranty. The price to fix it would be $389. This is a ripoff. The reason consumers purchase automobiles with airbags is for the extra security. If there was a defect with the seat belts, there would be a recall. Just like seat belts are design for protecting passengers from harm so is the airbags. Thus, clocksprings should be recalled and not put on the expense of the consumer due to the manufacture not providing a more secure part especially when the consumer is still making payments.
My daughter was driving down the highway in the passing lane. A white SUV tried passing another car that was to her right. The SUV misjudged and hit the rear right panel of my daughters Neon sending her into the median where there are wire guard rails. She hit the guard rail on the drivers front left damaging the bumper, fender, wheel, rim steering rack and everything on the left front of the car. The air bag did not deploy. The state police filled a police report which states no fault of Neon driver and the SUV took off.
Vehicle was going 35mph on dry road. Front air bags did not deploy upon impact consumer's vehicle hit two vehicles, but only one head on. Front airbags on both sides did not deploy. Dealer and manufacturer were notified but the vehicle was totaled. The consumer's nose was severed from the steering wheel due to the air bag not deploying. Consumer states r/r seat belt retractor button on belt was broken and installed, also left front seat belt was replaced, and sun roof molding was loose and falls on consumer?s head.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some frontal (passenger side) air bags May not inflate properly.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag module on the passenger side.
Airbag complaints in other Neon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2000 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA has 71 complaints about the air bags of the 2000 Dodge Neon, 21% of the model year's 337 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (49 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Dodge Neon airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-043 (frontal, Mar 11, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Dodge Neon airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 55 crashes, 0 fires and 40 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.