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1996 Dodge Neon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Neon years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Dodge Neon are substantially higher than the model-year median of 173.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 38 of 611 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 340 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

46 crash reports5 fire reports27 injury reports

Structure complaints

23 reports
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132,000 miles · Mar 16, 2007
Structure

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT ON THE VEHICLE WAS CHIPPING ON THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY 1996 WHITE DODGE NEON THAT SHE SAW HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE PAINT CHIPPING ON THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 132,000 . *…

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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT ON THE VEHICLE WAS CHIPPING ON THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY 1996 WHITE DODGE NEON THAT SHE SAW HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE PAINT CHIPPING ON THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 132,000 . *AK

NHTSA ODI #10185317

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2004
StructureVisibility

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS WRONG WITH THIS CAR. THANKFULLY, NONE OF THEM MECHANICAL, BUT COSTLY STILL. THE DOOR PANELS ON MY 2 DOOR KEEP ON GETTING DISCONNECTED FROM THE DOOR FRAME DUE TO SUBSTANDARD (IN MY BOOK ANYWAY) ANCHORS BETWEEN THE DOOR FRAME AND THE PANELS. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, AND ONCE…

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THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS WRONG WITH THIS CAR. THANKFULLY, NONE OF THEM MECHANICAL, BUT COSTLY STILL. THE DOOR PANELS ON MY 2 DOOR KEEP ON GETTING DISCONNECTED FROM THE DOOR FRAME DUE TO SUBSTANDARD (IN MY BOOK ANYWAY) ANCHORS BETWEEN THE DOOR FRAME AND THE PANELS. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, AND ONCE ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE CAR. I GET THE ISSUE FIXED, AND WITHIN AN FEW MONTHS IT'S BROKEN AGAIN. THE ANTENNA BROKE OFF AT THE BASE AND FLEW OFF SOMEWHERE ON THE HIGHWAY THIS WINTER (2004). THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF. THE TRUNK LEAKS. SOME OF THE OUTSIDE TRIM PIECES FELL OFF FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON. THE FUEL TANK DOOR BROKE OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON ONE DAY WHILE I WAS FILLING THE TANK. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR NO LONGER SHUTS RIGHT. IT HAS TO BE LIFTED AND SLAMMED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DOSEN'T WORK CORRECTLY, (IT FELL OUT ONCE) EVEN AFTER I HAD IT FIXED AND THE REGULATOR REPLACED. I EXPECT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, ETC., BUT THIS IS SILLY. I AM AFRAID TO KEEP THE CAR, WHO KNOW'S WHAT WILL FALL OFF NEXT, LANDING IN SOME UNKNOWN PLACE ON I-95! I WON'T BE BUYING ANOTHER NEON. NOT BECAUSE I HAVE HAD SERIOUS ISSUES OF UNRELIABILITY, BUT BECAUSE THINGS FALL OFF. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10067743

53,000 miles · Apr 15, 2004
Structure

WHILE DRIVING, FLAKES OF PAINT WERE PEELING OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10067200

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2003
Structure

PAINT PEELED OF THE ENTIRE ROOF OF THE CAR AND IS STARTING TO PEEL ON THE TRUNK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10045881

58,000 miles · Jul 11, 2003
Structure

THE PAINT PEELED OFF THE ENTIRE ROOF IN A PERIOD OF ONE OR TWO DAYS. THE WEATHER WAS FAIR AND THE CAR WAS NOT EXPOSED TO ANY SUBSTANCES THAT MIGHT BE DAMAGING TO THE PAINT. NOW THE SIDES OF THE CAR ARE BEGINNING TO PEEL AS WELL (7/2003). I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER NEON'S OF THE SAME COLOR (BRIGHT PURPLE-BLUE) WITH PAINT PEELING O…

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THE PAINT PEELED OFF THE ENTIRE ROOF IN A PERIOD OF ONE OR TWO DAYS. THE WEATHER WAS FAIR AND THE CAR WAS NOT EXPOSED TO ANY SUBSTANCES THAT MIGHT BE DAMAGING TO THE PAINT. NOW THE SIDES OF THE CAR ARE BEGINNING TO PEEL AS WELL (7/2003). I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER NEON'S OF THE SAME COLOR (BRIGHT PURPLE-BLUE) WITH PAINT PEELING OFF IN HUGE CHUNKS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10025875

88,000 miles · Mar 13, 2003
Structure

PEELING PAINT FROM DODGE 1996 NEON. LARGE FLAKES FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING, OR SIMPLY PARKED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10010393

88,000 miles · Mar 13, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure

MY 1996 DODGE NEON HAD TWO HEAD GASKET FAILURES TO DATE NOW. THE FIRST WAS REPAIRED 29,000 MILES AGO, AND NOW, AT 89,000 MILES, I HAD ANOTHER HEAD GASKET FAIL ON ME. THE CAR IS ALSO PEELING PAINT EXCESSIVELY. INSTEAD OF UNDER TEN YEARS OLD, THE CAR LOOKS OVER TWENTY YEARS OLD! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10010376

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2003
Structure

WHEN EVER IT RAINS WATER ACCUMULATES IN THE TRUNK AREA AND ALL OVER THE RUG IN THE REAR OF VEHICLE. IT LEAVES A MILDEW SMELL, AND CAUSES DOOR KNOBS TO RUST. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH *TS

NHTSA ODI #10004013

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

THIS IS AN USED AUTO BUT IT HAS MANY PROBLEMS ,SOME WERE TOLD TO ME BY A MECHANIC THAT WERE RECALLS,THERE ARE MANY THINGS WRONG SUCH AS THE FLOORS FILL UP WITH WATER WHEN IT RAINS,THE DOOR HINGES HAVE RUSTED AND BROKE,THE BRAKES SQUEAL,THE MOTOR LEAKS OIL AROUND THE SEALSTHE FAN DOESN'T KICK ON TO COOL THE MOTOR NOR DOES THE GA…

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THIS IS AN USED AUTO BUT IT HAS MANY PROBLEMS ,SOME WERE TOLD TO ME BY A MECHANIC THAT WERE RECALLS,THERE ARE MANY THINGS WRONG SUCH AS THE FLOORS FILL UP WITH WATER WHEN IT RAINS,THE DOOR HINGES HAVE RUSTED AND BROKE,THE BRAKES SQUEAL,THE MOTOR LEAKS OIL AROUND THE SEALSTHE FAN DOESN'T KICK ON TO COOL THE MOTOR NOR DOES THE GAUGE REGISTER WHEN IT IS HOT. ARE THESE THINGS THAT THE RECALLS TAKE CARE OF?*AK

NHTSA ODI #759742

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2001
Structure

PAINT TURNS CLOUDY THEN PEELS OFF. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #755653

Official recalls

2

96V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

May 3, 1996

THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT(S) WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT PRIOR TO PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.

96V026000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Feb 5, 1996

AN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS CAN SHORT CIRCUIT DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION TUBE..

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHORTING OF THE WIRING HARNESS CAN CAUSE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS, INCLUDING ENGINE STALLING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROPERLY AND ANY WIRE THAT HAS BEEN DAMAGED WILL BE REPLACED.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate

Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.

PE98012 · Underhood Fires

Opened Feb 26, 1998 · Closed Jun 23, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available