2001 PLYMOUTH NEON

Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: white smoke from exhaust, coolant loss with no visible leaks, milky oil on dipstick or oil cap, overheating, rough idle or misfires, eventual rod knock or seized engine

Fix: Head gasket replacement alone runs 8-10 hours labor if caught early. If oil sludge has formed from coolant contamination or poor maintenance, you're looking at pistons, rings, bearings, and possibly a full short block. Many owners discover this too late and need a junkyard engine or scrap the car. Head gasket kit plus machine work: 10-14 hours. Full rebuild or short block swap: 16-22 hours.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,800 for head gaskets; $2,500-4,500 for engine rebuild or replacement

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: harsh or delayed shifts, slipping between gears, whining or grinding noises, transmission overheating, no movement in drive or reverse, burnt fluid smell

Fix: The 31TH 3-speed and 41TE 4-speed automatics are weak links. Fluid and filter changes help but won't save a unit that's already slipping. Transmission oil cooler lines and the cooler itself often leak, starving the trans of fluid and accelerating failure. Rebuild runs 12-16 hours; most shops quote a reman unit instead. R&R is about 8-10 hours.

Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200 for reman transmission installed

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: clunking on acceleration or deceleration, excessive engine movement visible from outside, vibration at idle, difficulty shifting manual transmission, transmission seems to 'jump' when engaging gear

Fix: The front engine mount and right-side transmission mount are fluid-filled and fail often, causing dramatic clunking and driveline shudder. Each mount is about 1.5-2 hours labor. Doing all three mounts (engine, trans, torque strut) at once is common and takes 4-5 hours total.

Estimated cost: $350-650 for all mounts

Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: clunking or banging over bumps from rear, rear-end feels loose or unstable, uneven or cupped rear tire wear, wandering or darting on highway, visible rust or torn rubber on trailing arm bushings

Fix: The rear trailing arm bushings rot out, especially in salt states. The lateral links (camber adjustment links) also rust and seize. Replacing trailing arm bushings requires pressing or cutting out old ones: 3-4 hours for both sides. Lateral links add another 1-2 hours. Alignment mandatory after.

Estimated cost: $450-750 including alignment

Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: check engine light with EVAP codes (P0442, P0455, P0456), fuel smell near tank or under hood, difficulty fueling (pump clicks off repeatedly), fuel gauge erratic or stuck

Fix: Fuel filler neck rusts out, EVAP canister and purge valve fail, and fuel pump/sender units leak at the seal. Fuel filter is integral to the pump assembly (in-tank), so no standalone replacement. Dropping the tank for pump or filler work: 2-3 hours. EVAP canister or purge valve: 1-1.5 hours.

Estimated cost: $250-600 depending on component

Typical onset: 90,000-105,000 mi

Symptoms: no warning before failure, engine suddenly dies and will not crank smoothly, bent valves and piston damage if belt breaks, coolant leak from water pump

Fix: The 2.0L SOHC is an interference engine. If the timing belt snaps, valves hit pistons and you're into a head job or full rebuild. Timing belt service interval is 105k miles but many owners skip it. Belt, water pump, tensioner, and seals: 4-5 hours labor. If it breaks: 16-20+ hours for teardown, valve job, and reassembly.

Estimated cost: $450-650 preventive; $2,000-4,000 if it breaks

Typical onset: 100,000+ mi

Symptoms: hard brake pedal, hissing noise under dash or near firewall, rough idle or stalling, power steering whine or groan, check engine light with lean codes (P0171/P0174)

Fix: Brake booster diaphragm fails causing vacuum leaks and hard pedal; NHTSA recalled some units but coverage is spotty. Power steering pump and lines leak, especially in cold climates. Booster replacement: 3-4 hours. Power steering pump: 2 hours. Lines and hoses: 1-2 hours each.

Estimated cost: $350-700 depending on component