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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.

About this comparison →
611Owner complaints

Model-year median: 173

2Recall campaigns

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2Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
3
19939
1994976
1995611
1996390
1997339
1998116
1999
Compare all Neon years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
340Electrical System
93Service Brakes, Hydraulic
88Power Train
47Air Bags
44
All reported categories
Unknown Or Other
37Steering
24Structure
23Visibility
17Vehicle Speed Control
16Exterior Lighting
15Fuel System, Gasoline
14Equipment
12Seat Belts
10Suspension
7Fuel System, Other
6Seats
6Tires
4Interior Lighting
3Engine
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Service Brakes, Air
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

37 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2000
Unknown Or Other

I HAVE CONTACTED YOUR AGENCY ON SEVERAL OCASSIONS WITH NO REPLY OR RESULTS. JUST BY BROWSING THE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER NEON OWNERS, IT IS OBVIOUS THIS CAR HAS PROBLEMS. IF YOU CANNOT INTERVENE ON THE BEHALF OF THE CONSUMERS, THEN WHY WASTE OUR TIME. WE MAY AS WELL JUST PUT IT IN THE HANDS OF LAWYERS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE…

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I HAVE CONTACTED YOUR AGENCY ON SEVERAL OCASSIONS WITH NO REPLY OR RESULTS. JUST BY BROWSING THE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER NEON OWNERS, IT IS OBVIOUS THIS CAR HAS PROBLEMS. IF YOU CANNOT INTERVENE ON THE BEHALF OF THE CONSUMERS, THEN WHY WASTE OUR TIME. WE MAY AS WELL JUST PUT IT IN THE HANDS OF LAWYERS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #722004

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2000
Unknown Or Other

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #720682

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES CAR SHUTS DOWN. NONE OF THE GAUGES WORK. DEALER WILL BE CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #859097

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2000
Unknown Or Other

THIS IS THE SECOND REPLACEMENT. HAVE OTHER ISSUES. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #719854

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or Other

ENGIN EHEAD GASKET BLEW OUT EVERY 6-8 MONTHS/ BRAKE CALIPER COLLAPSED , AND INSTRUMENT PANEL DEAD; NO ASSISTANCE FROM DODGE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #716539

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 1999
Unknown Or Other

I HAVE HAD THE TRUNK REPAINTED ONCE BEFOR FOR THE SAME REASON WHILE UNDER WARENTY , NOW IT IS PEALING OFF THE TOP , THE WARENTY IS OUT , AND NO ONE CAN HELP ME , I CANT EVEN GET HOLD OF THE PAINT TO DO IT MY SELF BECAUSE DODGE NO LONGER CARRIES THE THE PRODECT ........JUST LOOKING FOR A LIITLE ADVISE OR HELP , IF ANY INFORMATION…

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I HAVE HAD THE TRUNK REPAINTED ONCE BEFOR FOR THE SAME REASON WHILE UNDER WARENTY , NOW IT IS PEALING OFF THE TOP , THE WARENTY IS OUT , AND NO ONE CAN HELP ME , I CANT EVEN GET HOLD OF THE PAINT TO DO IT MY SELF BECAUSE DODGE NO LONGER CARRIES THE THE PRODECT ........JUST LOOKING FOR A LIITLE ADVISE OR HELP , IF ANY INFORMATION IS NEEDED PLEASE EMAIL OR CALL , CIRIX98@HOTMAIL.COM .......... THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #713792

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingTiresUnknown Or Other

EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR IN THE FRONT....HEAD GASKET BLOWN AND LEAKING OIL BADLY...EXCESSIVE GAS CONSUMPTION, (180 MILES TO A 12 GALLON TANK) DASHBOARD CLUSTER (ALL GUAGES INCLUDING, SPEEDODMETER, ODOMETER, AND FUEL AND TEMP GUAGES) DOES NOT WORK AT ALL NOW...WAS SHORTING OUT AND COMING ON FROM TIME TO TIME BUT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL N…

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EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR IN THE FRONT....HEAD GASKET BLOWN AND LEAKING OIL BADLY...EXCESSIVE GAS CONSUMPTION, (180 MILES TO A 12 GALLON TANK) DASHBOARD CLUSTER (ALL GUAGES INCLUDING, SPEEDODMETER, ODOMETER, AND FUEL AND TEMP GUAGES) DOES NOT WORK AT ALL NOW...WAS SHORTING OUT AND COMING ON FROM TIME TO TIME BUT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL NOW....( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P165/80R13 )

NHTSA ODI #713355

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineTires

INSTRUMENT PANEL (DASH GAUGES) HAS A SHORT AND DOES NOT WORK, THIS INCLUDES THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, AND FUEL &TEMP GAUGES. ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN AND IS LEAKING OIL BADLY, AND EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR... CAR IS EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE GAS CONSUMPTION... GOES ABOUT 180 MILES TO A FULL 12 GALLON TANK OF…

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INSTRUMENT PANEL (DASH GAUGES) HAS A SHORT AND DOES NOT WORK, THIS INCLUDES THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, AND FUEL &TEMP GAUGES. ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN AND IS LEAKING OIL BADLY, AND EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR... CAR IS EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE GAS CONSUMPTION... GOES ABOUT 180 MILES TO A FULL 12 GALLON TANK OF GAS...IT PASSES EVERYTHING BUT A GAS STATION... A TECH AT THE DEALERSHIP (RAGLAND DODGE, ANGLETON TEXAS) TOLD ME THAT THESE ARE VERY COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THE DODGE NEON...( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 165/80R/13 )

NHTSA ODI #713352

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 1999
Unknown Or Other

I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL AUTO MECHANICS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR DEFECT, AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NEONS. I'M HOPING THAT ENOUGH PEOPLE WILL REPORT THIS DEFECT, SO THE MANUFACURER WILL ISSUE A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #713170

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or OtherCrash

EVERY 18000 MILES THE HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED ON THE VEHICLE...BRAKES FAILED ONE TIME HAD MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED...ACCIDENT, BRAKES BEING INVESTIGATED TO SEE IF ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED...AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN FRONTAL COLLISION AT SPEED OF 15 MPH...SEAT BELT FAILED IN FRONTAL COLLISION AT 15 MPH

NHTSA ODI #713109

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