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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 →

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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

16 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 1997
Vehicle Speed Control

STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, THE DRIVER PUNCHED LIGHTLY DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR AND SEEMED THE LEFT SIDE HAD DIED BECAUSE THE LEFT SIDE DID NOT MOVE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT. COULD NOT HOLD ON ROAD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #816374

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 1997
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING THE THROTTLE STICKS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO INCREASE SPEED, WILL NOT DECREASE SPEED UNTIL CONSUMER PULLS EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE OR SHUTS IGNITIION OFF. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #816349

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 1996
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN CAR IS ACCELERATING AT LOW SPEED IT STALLS, TOOK TO DEALER FIVE TIMES AND SOME PARTS WERE REPLACED, WILL SEND IN THE WORK PAPERS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #806793

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 1996
Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE'S MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS UNWANTED ACCELERATION IF BRAKE PEDAL IS APLLIED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME , THEN THE RPMS WILL REDUCE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #805781

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringSuspension

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES PROBLEMS WITH PULLING AND NOISE IN THE FRONT END, RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE STEERING KNUCKLES, CONSUMER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE RECALL NOTICES PRIOR TO INCIDENTS.

NHTSA ODI #509308

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 1996
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.

NHTSA ODI #542606

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