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
What owners actually said
611 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2001
Visibility
I'VE NOTICED ON ALL 94-99 NEON'S THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW HAS SRATCHES ON THE SAME SPOT OF THE WINDOW AND THAT THEY ALL LOOK IDENTICAL TO EACH OTHERE. YOU CAN TELL THAT IT IS THE WINDOW TRIM THAT IS CAUSING IT. AND ONCE AGAIN IT IS ON ALL NEON'S THAT'S I'VE SEEN. 4 OF MY FRIENDS ALL HAVE THEM AND THEY ALL HAVE IT ECXEPT FOR …
Read full complaint
I'VE NOTICED ON ALL 94-99 NEON'S THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW HAS SRATCHES ON THE SAME SPOT OF THE WINDOW AND THAT THEY ALL LOOK IDENTICAL TO EACH OTHERE. YOU CAN TELL THAT IT IS THE WINDOW TRIM THAT IS CAUSING IT. AND ONCE AGAIN IT IS ON ALL NEON'S THAT'S I'VE SEEN. 4 OF MY FRIENDS ALL HAVE THEM AND THEY ALL HAVE IT ECXEPT FOR THE 2001 NEON. THE OTHER 3 AND MINE HAVE IT AND JOURS ARE 94-99 NEONS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #749865
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #749772
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
OIL LEAK IS DUE TO A GASKET; TRANSMISSION WENT OUT(COULD NOT USE REVERSE UNTIL CAR WAS ON 20 MINUTES OR MORE), PAINT HAS BEEN PEELING FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS NOW, NUMEROUS SETS OF BRAKES REPLACED
NHTSA ODI #749397
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM TWICE. THE FIRST ONE WAS AT 29000 MILES AND TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED AND OXYGENE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THEN, AT 64000 MILES THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED. TALKED TO EXTENEDED WARRANTY COMPANY AND THEY SAID THE PROBLEMS ARE NOT REALATED. TALKED TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT THE PROBLEMS…
Read full complaint
I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM TWICE. THE FIRST ONE WAS AT 29000 MILES AND TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED AND OXYGENE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THEN, AT 64000 MILES THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED. TALKED TO EXTENEDED WARRANTY COMPANY AND THEY SAID THE PROBLEMS ARE NOT REALATED. TALKED TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT THE PROBLEMS WERE "PECULIAR". CALLED DIAMLER-CHRYSLER, AND THEY SAID THAT THE TWO SYSTEMS WERE NOT RELATED. BUT THE PROBLEMS WERE EXACTLY THE SAME BOTH TIMES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #749284
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN STARTING OUT WHEN CAR HAS SAT LONG ENOUGH THE BRAKES MAKE A HUGE HOWLING SOUND WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS STUCK IN THE BRAKES. TAKEN TO SHOP AND THEY THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH BREAKS. CAN'T FIND PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #749247
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #748688
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS SEEM TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE DODGE COMPANY SHOULD RECALL DUE TO AMOUNT OF HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS REPORTED FROM OTHERS LIKE ME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #748552
Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE SQUEALS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. TWICE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 35,000 AND 80,000 MILES. SQUEALING STOPPED FOR 1 WEEK. STARTED SQUEALING AGAIN. CONSUMER'S MECHANIC REPAIRED VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #891952
Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2001
Power Train
TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED VEHICLE HAD 47,000 MILES, AND THE ENGINE WAS REBUILD. CONSUMER TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT REBUILD FOR A SECOND TIME.*AK
NHTSA ODI #891945
Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE LEAKS OIL AND RUNS ROUGH. CONSUMER HAD TO ADD 2 1/2 QUARTS OF OIL TO ENGINE LESS THAN 1600 MILES. GASKET HAS FAILED TWICE ONCE AT 36,000 MILES AND 83,000 MILES. CURRENTLY, AT 110,000 MILES WAS FAILING AGAIN.*AK
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.
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
1996 Dodge Neon Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year