IllustrationPROBLEM WITH WIRING HARNESS. MR
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 reportsHEAD GASKET FAILURES SEEM TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. CHRYSLER WILL PROVIDE NO HELP EVEN THOUGH IT IS APPARENT THAT IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM. THE DECISION MAKER AT CHRYSLER WILL NOT SPEAK TO CONSUMERS. HOW CAN THIS CONTINUE?*PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768033
WHILE TRAVELING ON INCLEMENT WEATHER THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP. UNABLING HIM TO TURN THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NLM
1996 DODGE NEON. *PH *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****767968
LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED TWICE RESULTING IN SOME WIRES MELTING TOGETHER INTERACTING WITH ALL INTERIOR LIGHTING INCLUDING THE CONSOLE. THE OWNER SAW SPARKS SEVERAL TIMES AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS*JB
THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. ALSO THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN REAR OF WHEEL. DEALERSHIPIS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
FRONT COLLISION AT 40 MPH. UPON IMPACT NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK *TS
THEY HAD TO ADD OIL TO VEHICLE CONSTANTLY, AND THERE WOULD BE PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER VEHICLE. THIS WAS AS A RESULT OF AN OIL LEAK, HAD PART REPLACED, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. .CONTACTED DEALER.*AK
INSTRUMENT PANEL WORKS OCCASIONALLY. CAN'T TELL HOW FAST/CAN'T TELL IF GAS IS IN VEHICLE, AND GAUGES INSIDE PANEL WON'T LIGHT UP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
LEAKS FUEL FROM FUEL TUBE WHENEVER FILLING TANK.*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