IllustrationTHE 1996 DODGE NEON SHOULD BE RECALLED. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Neon years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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, BUT I CAN NOT FIND ANY WET CARPET OR SEATS. I HAVE HAD THE INTERIOR STEAMED CLEANED AND DEORDORIZED, BUT THE SMELL RETURNS IN A DAY OR SO. MY DAUGHTER,WHO DRIVES THE CAR,SMELLS FROM BEING IN THE CAR. THE SMELL IS SO BAD THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE ANY LENGHT OF TIME. *AK
PREMATURE FAILURE OF ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK
VEHICLE WAS MAKING A CRUNCHING NOISE, AND WAS UNCONTROLLABLE AT HIGH SPEEDS. THIS WAS DUE TO A FAULTY RACK AND PINION STEERING. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR VEHICLE. *AK
THE DEFECTIVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STOP WHEN DECELERATING. THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS YEARS MODEL ACCORDING TO LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOPS. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION WAS CHANGED FOR THE NEXT YEARS MODEL.
OIL IS LEAKING BAD FROM THE HEAD GASKET... I SEE THAT YOU ALREADY GOT QUITE SOME COMPLAINTS... WHAT ABOUT A RECALL??? OIL LEAKING IS CLOSE TO THE MANIFOLD... COULD CAUSE SOME FIRE... RECALL...
AFTER A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND SEVERAL CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM... SOMEONE SUGGEST A REPAIR UNDER THE SECRET EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM CHRYSLER... I'M GONNA TRY IT... PRICE TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET: 700 DLLS AND UP.
NO SUMMARY
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A STAND STILL ACCIDENT APPROX. 35-45 MPH, CAUSING CONSUMER'S BACK REST TO COLLAPSE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *YC
NOTICED OIL LEAK DUE TO A BLOWEN OUT ENGINE HEAD GASKET DUE TO POOR DESIGN. CONTACTED DEALER . *AK
Official recalls
296V075000 · 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
2PE02082 · 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