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 · Apr 6, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE BECOME AWARE OF THIS "HEAD GASKET" PROBLEM THROUGH DODGE NEON MESSAGE BOARDS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND HAVING THE GASKET REPLACED FOR $500.55 PARTS AND LABOR. I HOPE THIS PROBLEM DOESN'T OCCUR AS OFTEN AS ALL THE INQUIRIES SUGGESTED. PERHAPS YOU SHOULD RECALL THE LINE OF VEHICLES, RIGHT THE WRONGS, OR REIMBURSE B…
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I HAVE BECOME AWARE OF THIS "HEAD GASKET" PROBLEM THROUGH DODGE NEON MESSAGE BOARDS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND HAVING THE GASKET REPLACED FOR $500.55 PARTS AND LABOR. I HOPE THIS PROBLEM DOESN'T OCCUR AS OFTEN AS ALL THE INQUIRIES SUGGESTED. PERHAPS YOU SHOULD RECALL THE LINE OF VEHICLES, RIGHT THE WRONGS, OR REIMBURSE BUYERS OF YOUR PRODUCTS THE EXPENCES THAT OCCUR BUT SHOULDN'T. PLEASE CONTACT ME BY PHONE OR MAIL TO DISCUSS THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #721133
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
CHRONIC OIL LEAK DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE, CHRONIC CLUNKING IN RIGHT FRONT EITHER STEERING OR SUSPENSION PROBLEM WHICH AFTER MULTIPLE TRIPS FOR SERVICE REMAINS UNCORRECTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #721079
Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WWW.CARPOINT.COM STATED THERE IS OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE BLOCK FOR THIS MODEL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720879
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 21, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE HEAD GASKET ON MY DODGE NEON NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME AT ONLY 76,000 MILES.(CONVENIENTLY OUT OF WARRANTY). I KNOW SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. DODGE HAS BEEN CONTACTED BUT NO REPLY HAS BEEN GIVEN.
NHTSA ODI #720439
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED OIL, SO HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHAT I AM ANGRY ABOUT IS CHRYSLER KNEW THAT THE ORGINAL PART WAS FAULTY, HENCE THEY RE-DESIGNED THE PLACEMENT PART. HOWEVER, THEY ARE MAKING THEIR CUSTOMERS PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKE, WHICH I THINK IS WRONG. I HAVE RECENTLY SEEN WHERE FORD IS REIMBURSING THEIR CUSTOMERS FOR THE S…
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THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED OIL, SO HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHAT I AM ANGRY ABOUT IS CHRYSLER KNEW THAT THE ORGINAL PART WAS FAULTY, HENCE THEY RE-DESIGNED THE PLACEMENT PART. HOWEVER, THEY ARE MAKING THEIR CUSTOMERS PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKE, WHICH I THINK IS WRONG. I HAVE RECENTLY SEEN WHERE FORD IS REIMBURSING THEIR CUSTOMERS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM (FAULTY HEAD GASKET). WHY WOULDN'T CHRYSLER DO THE SAME THING TO KEEP THEIR CUSTOMERS HAPPY?*AK
NHTSA ODI #720420
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
I OWN A 1996 DODGE NEON AND RECENTLY MY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. MY HUSBAND CHECKED MY OIL AND ANTI-FREEZE AND NOTICED THERE WAS OIL IN THE RADIATOR. HE KNEW RIGHT AWAY THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS GONE. WE WENT TO THE DEALER TO PURCHASE A HEAD GASKET AND THE SALESMAN TOLD US THAT NEON'S WERE KNOWN FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT THE OR…
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I OWN A 1996 DODGE NEON AND RECENTLY MY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. MY HUSBAND CHECKED MY OIL AND ANTI-FREEZE AND NOTICED THERE WAS OIL IN THE RADIATOR. HE KNEW RIGHT AWAY THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS GONE. WE WENT TO THE DEALER TO PURCHASE A HEAD GASKET AND THE SALESMAN TOLD US THAT NEON'S WERE KNOWN FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT THE ORIGINAL HEAD GASKET THAT WERE INSTALLED AT THE PLANT WEREN'T THINK ENOUGH. MY HUSBAND ASKED HIM WHY WE SHOULD REPLACE THIS AND NOT THE DEALER. OUR AREA PART STORES CAN'T KEEP UP WITH STOCKING HEAD GASKETS FOR THESE CARS. WHY SHOULD WE PAY FOR THIS? *AK
NHTSA ODI #720271
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER NOTICED LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL LEAKING FROM VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #858750
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
AN OIL LEAKAGE DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE WHICH CAUSES DAMAGE TO ENGINE. MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF DEFECT, BUT WILL NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. *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
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