PlymouthNeon2001Overview/plymouth/neon/2001/base/
PL platform

2001 Plymouth Neon

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 Neon.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 3-spd

The 2001 Plymouth Neon is a passenger car built on the PL platform, equipped with an automatic 3-speed transmission and returning EPA fuel economy figures of 21 city, 28 highway, and 24 combined mpg. Reliability data for this year reveals 50 total owner complaints alongside 3 recalls, with air bags ranking as the primary complaint area. When situated within the model's broader 1994–2001 complaint history, the 2001 Neon sits far closer to the 1994 low of just 3 complaints than the 1995 peak of 602, indicating a markedly improved stability for researchers examining the platform's evolution.

Model year20012000

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/28/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 26R · 450 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04105409AE. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 26R · 450 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP185-65R14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim32 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04105409AE
Engine air filter04891097AA discontinued
Fuel filter05278631AA discontinued · alt 04897416AB
Spark plug68304149AA
BatteryBB26R001AA
Front wiper blades05014795AA discontinued · alt 05014794AA
Serpentine belt04668241AE alt 04668249AB
ThermostatP5278144AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 28 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume90 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts100 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16.7 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub160 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)950 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)350 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.033-0.038 in
Spark Plug Torque18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.875 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number26R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance450 cca
Optional BCI Group Number26R

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle16 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket16 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.344 in / 0.861 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.364 in / 0.871 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
125.0 ft. lbs.25 ft. lbs
250.0 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
350.0 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 100,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 100,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Power Steering Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
At 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2001 Plymouth Neon generated 50 complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 investigation, a sharp decrease from the 2000 rebound of 144 complaints and 6 recalls and a return to the post-peak trajectory that followed the 1995 high of 602 complaints and 9 investigations. Its 36 TSBs fall below every total recorded from 1995 through 2000 and approach the 1999 level of 39, reinforcing its placement at the quieter end of the generational range. Federal data identifies air bags and hydraulic service brakes as the top complaint areas with 10 reports each, while also logging 15 crash complaints and 1 fire complaint without specifying root causes. Within the broader arc, 2001 clearly improves upon the severe early-year scrutiny of 1995-1996 and the preceding 2000 spike. Based strictly on these federal metrics, 2001 is one of the more favorable years to buy in this generation.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
36
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
50
Owner complaints
15 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 50 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags10
Service Brakes, Hydraulic10
Tires3
Structure3
Engine & Engine Cooling3
Electrical System3
Equipment2
Suspension1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E033000SuspensionReported 14/04/2008

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. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS… Remedy: 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.

00V366000Child SeatReported 09/11/2000

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… Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 36 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
23-015-202020-04-30EquipmentDisinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Neon. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2001 Neon have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Neon get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpg.