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 · 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…
Read full complaint
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 14, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE. HAD NOTICED ENGINE OIL LEAK. TOOK TO MECHANIC. WAS INFORMED HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN OUT. NEEDED TO CONTACT DEALER FOR REPAIRS. HAD NO WARNING REGARDING HEAD GASKETS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #850782
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
Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY HEAD GASKET.
NHTSA ODI #712900
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKETS HAVE PREMATURALLY BLOWN. OUT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849816
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
PLEASE RECALL. I'M TIRED OF PUTTING OIL IN THIS THING.
NHTSA ODI #712384
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAD THE HEAD GASKET OIL LEAK REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC'S SHOP (A CERTIFIED MECHANIC) AFTER THE SEVERAL DEALERS WERE BOOKED SOLID. I COULDN'T WAIT TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE TWO WEEKS LATER. NOW, ONLY A YEAR AFTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE, THE SAME REPAIR NEEDS DONE AGAIN. FROM WHAT SEVERAL DEALERS HAVE TOLD ME, MANY NEONS DE…
Read full complaint
I HAD THE HEAD GASKET OIL LEAK REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC'S SHOP (A CERTIFIED MECHANIC) AFTER THE SEVERAL DEALERS WERE BOOKED SOLID. I COULDN'T WAIT TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE TWO WEEKS LATER. NOW, ONLY A YEAR AFTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE, THE SAME REPAIR NEEDS DONE AGAIN. FROM WHAT SEVERAL DEALERS HAVE TOLD ME, MANY NEONS DEVELOP THIS HEAD GASKET LEAK AND NEED REPAIR. MY CAR WAS ONLY TWO AND 1/2 YEARS OLD WHEN THE HEAD GASKET WENT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY CHRYSLER HAS NOT RECALLED THE CARS TO HAVE IT FIXED. IT HAS BEEN VERY COSTLY TO ME. I AGAIN HAVE TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE NEXT WEDNESDAY.
NHTSA ODI #711812
Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
WITHIN A ONE WEEK PERIOD ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE OF LEAKAGE. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER. ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848213
Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 1999
Electrical System
THE WHOLE DASH UNIT ( CIRCUIT BOARD) WHICH CONTROLS THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT WORK. MY MECHANIC STATED HE HAS REPLACED A NUMBER OF THEM OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHSNIC
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
Illustration