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1997 Dodge Neon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Neon years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Dodge Neon are substantially higher than the model-year median of 173.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 35 of 390 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 222 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

44 crash reports12 fire reports24 injury reports

Power Train complaints

26 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. DEALER REPLACED HEAD GASKET, BUT AN INDEPENDENT DEALER TOLD CONSUMER HEAD GASKET WAS NOT REPLACED. ALSO, DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION PAN AND FLYWHEEL. VEHICLE NOT IN CONDITION TO BE DRIVEN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #879086

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TRANSMISSION IS SLUGGISH AND HEADGASKET LEAKING, TOOK TO DEALER. *AK TRANSMISSION IS NOW COMPLETELY FAILED. *YH

NHTSA ODI #874754

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower TrainCrashInjury

WELL LETS SEE THE FIRST DEFECT WAS A FAN RELAY WHICH WAS REPLACED 5 TIMES BEFORE A WIRING DEFECT WAS FOUND NEXT WE HAVE "HARD BRAKES" WHICH CONTRIBUITED TO AN ACCIDENT WHICH CAUSED 7000 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE AND 1 MINOR INJURY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WE FOLLOW THAT UP WITH A LEAKY HEAD GASKET WHICH CHRYSLER…

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WELL LETS SEE THE FIRST DEFECT WAS A FAN RELAY WHICH WAS REPLACED 5 TIMES BEFORE A WIRING DEFECT WAS FOUND NEXT WE HAVE "HARD BRAKES" WHICH CONTRIBUITED TO AN ACCIDENT WHICH CAUSED 7000 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE AND 1 MINOR INJURY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WE FOLLOW THAT UP WITH A LEAKY HEAD GASKET WHICH CHRYSLER WAS KIND ENOUGH TO RETURN 1/2 OF MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES ALONG WITH WIRING DEFECTS AND AIR BAGS THAT DON'T COME OUT OTHER THAN THE FACT I HAVE HAD MORE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR THAN EVERY OTHER CARS I HAVE EVER OWNED THEY MADE UP FOR THIS LEMON BY HAVING A BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOO.

NHTSA ODI #735533

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2000
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT ONLY 75,000 MILES. CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN. NO PRIOR WARNING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #870289

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingPower Train

THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THREE HEAD GASKETS AND A TRANSMISSION REPLACED ONCE, AS WELL AS THREE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCHES BECAUSE THE BACK UP LIGHTS WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, THERE IS ALSO A CLNKING SOUND IN THE FRONT END AND SAFETY TSB'S ON IT AND THE DEALER STILL REFUSED TO CORRECT IT WHEN UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER, DODGE'S PHILOSOPHY IS WAIT…

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THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THREE HEAD GASKETS AND A TRANSMISSION REPLACED ONCE, AS WELL AS THREE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCHES BECAUSE THE BACK UP LIGHTS WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, THERE IS ALSO A CLNKING SOUND IN THE FRONT END AND SAFETY TSB'S ON IT AND THE DEALER STILL REFUSED TO CORRECT IT WHEN UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER, DODGE'S PHILOSOPHY IS WAIT TILL THE BUMPER TO BUMPER IS DONE TO HAVE THE PERSON PAY EITHER WITH THE DEDUCTABLE ON THE SERVICE CONTRACT OR OUT OF POCKET. LEGISLATION SHOULD BE PASSED TO HAVE A 3-36 WAR. ON ALL REPLACEMENT PARTS INSTALLED DURING A WAR. PERIOD INCASE OF FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #719022

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2000
Power TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

AFTER PLACING VEHICLE IN PARK, REMOVING KEY FROM THE IGNITION, AND WHEN EXITING VEHICLE, GEAR SHIFT MOVED OUT OF POSITION, CAUSING UNWANTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT, RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING FORWARD. THIS CAUSED INJURIES TO THE DRIVER . CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #854749

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Air

THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAD WITH THIS CAR WAS THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. CHRYSLER AGREED TO PAY FOR IT (THE $1000 WAS MY ESTIMATE OF WHAT IT COST TO REPLACE THE GASKET). THE SECOND PROBLEM WAS THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY AND COIL PACK QUIT WORKING, BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. I PAID $600 OUT OF MY POCKET TO FIX THEM. THE THIRD PROBLEM WAS THE A…

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THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAD WITH THIS CAR WAS THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. CHRYSLER AGREED TO PAY FOR IT (THE $1000 WAS MY ESTIMATE OF WHAT IT COST TO REPLACE THE GASKET). THE SECOND PROBLEM WAS THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY AND COIL PACK QUIT WORKING, BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. I PAID $600 OUT OF MY POCKET TO FIX THEM. THE THIRD PROBLEM WAS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE WHEN ITS COLD. THE FOURTH MOST CURRENT PROBLEM IS THE BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY THE PEDAL WILL NOT GO DOWN AND THE DEALER SAYS ITS PROBABLY SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE VACUUM SYSTEM. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS FOR THE TRANSMISSION, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE ADMITTED THAT THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS PER INFORMATION I OBTAINED FROM A WEB SITE CALLED LEMON- AID. ****** I WILL NEVER BUY A DODGE AGAIN!!! I'M SPREADING THE WORD. I COME INTO CONTACT WITH MANY PEOPLE EVERDAY. SO SORRY DODGE!!!******

NHTSA ODI #715511

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

VALVE PAN GASKET AND VALVE COVER GASKET GAVE OUT (BLEW) 120 MILES AFTER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY RAN OUT. HAVE REPLACED ONCE AND IT HAS BLOWN OUT AGAIN. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. AT THIS SAME TIME, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING A CLUNK SOUND WHEN SHIFTING UP OR DOWN. IF A CAR MANUFACTURER CANNOT MAKE A CAR THAT LASTS …

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VALVE PAN GASKET AND VALVE COVER GASKET GAVE OUT (BLEW) 120 MILES AFTER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY RAN OUT. HAVE REPLACED ONCE AND IT HAS BLOWN OUT AGAIN. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. AT THIS SAME TIME, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING A CLUNK SOUND WHEN SHIFTING UP OR DOWN. IF A CAR MANUFACTURER CANNOT MAKE A CAR THAT LASTS WELL BEYOND THEIR PATHETIC WARRANTY, THEN THEY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. SEE REF: ODI ID: 536724 ODI ID: 545773 ODI ID: 704492 ODI ID: 707143 ODI ID: 710054 ODI ID: 780464 ODI ID: 826370 ODI ID: 829921 ODI ID: 831010 ODI ID: 831498 ODI ID: 832094 ODI ID: 841115 ODI ID: 847105 ODI ID: 848011 ODI ID: 848347

NHTSA ODI #712477

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 1999
Power Train

ALVIN DODGE STATES THAT I HAVE "HARD LIP SEALS" - SHOULD BE SOFT AND PLIABLE. INTERNAL CLUTCH FAILURE. OTHER PARTS SHOT. DODGE IS ONLY PAYING FOR PARTS.

NHTSA ODI #711658

Mileage unknown · May 17, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

HELP ! IT WAS JUST SEVEN MONTHS AGO I PURCHASE A 1997 NEON. I WAS SO HAPPY, I WAS GOING TO BE DRIVING A FAIRLY DECENT CAR. IT WAS 1998 AND I WAS GOING TO BE DRIVING A 1997. WITH A/C EVEN. HA. HA. HA. NEEDLESS TO SAY I DIDN'T KNOW THREE WEEKS LATER I WOULD BE PUTTING IN A NEW TRANSMISSION. CAR IN THE SHOP FOR TWO WEEKS WAITING O…

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HELP ! IT WAS JUST SEVEN MONTHS AGO I PURCHASE A 1997 NEON. I WAS SO HAPPY, I WAS GOING TO BE DRIVING A FAIRLY DECENT CAR. IT WAS 1998 AND I WAS GOING TO BE DRIVING A 1997. WITH A/C EVEN. HA. HA. HA. NEEDLESS TO SAY I DIDN'T KNOW THREE WEEKS LATER I WOULD BE PUTTING IN A NEW TRANSMISSION. CAR IN THE SHOP FOR TWO WEEKS WAITING ON A PART THEY HAD TO ORDER. BOY DID THAT PUT A SOUR TASTE IN MY MOUTH. I CALLED CHRYSLER AND WANTED TO GIVE THE CAR BACK. I NO LONGER WANTED THE CAR. I KNEW THEN I WOULD NOT HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AFTER THAT. WELL YOU KNOW THEY SAID NO. GOOD THING I HAD THE 1595.00 EXTEDED SERV. CONTRACT I GOT THE PROBLEM FIX FREE . WELL NOT REALLY FREE IT COST ME 1595.00 FOR THE WARRANTY AND FIFTY DOLLARS EVERYTIME YOU HAVE TO PUT YOUR CAR IN THE SHOP. I ONLY HAD 30.000.00 MILES AND ALREADY NEEDED IT A TRANSMISSION? HMMMM. IN DECEMBER WE HAD A RECALL ON THE CAR. IN JAN.1999 I STARTED HAVING ELECTRICAL FAILURE. IN FEB.1999 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. ALSO IN FEB. I TURN ON MY AIR CONDITING TO FIND OUT IT DOESN'T WORK. IT WAS BLOWING OUT HOT AIR. I CALL CHRYSLER AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN. IT WAS GOING TO COST ME THE $50. WHICH I DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS FAIR, BEING I JUST PURCHASE THE CAR IN NOV.1998. IN MAR. 12TH I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR BRAKE INSPECTION BECUASE I WAS HAVING SOME PROBLEMS WHEN I WOULD STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE CAR, THE BRAKES MAKE NOISE LIKE GRINDING METAL TO METAL. MY FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE WORN OUT, WHICH THEY SAID HAD RUINED THE FRONT ROTORS. AND THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING ROTORS AND D PADS. THEY SAID THE VEH. WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN CURRENT CONDITION. WELL THEY WANTED TO CHG. ME OVER $300.00 AND I JUST DIDN'T TRUST THEM ANY MORE SO MY DAD DID THE JOB FOR $100.00. M Y EXTENDED SERV. CONTRACT DID NOT COVER THE BRAKES. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE A LEMON FOR A CAR. I DON'T THINK THIS CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE THERE IS ALL WAY SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT. AND IT IS PUTTING A HOLE IN MY POCKET. SO MUCH FOR A NEWER CAR SO YOU CAN HAVE FEW

NHTSA ODI #706564

Official recalls

1

97V080000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

May 16, 1997

THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESIGN ALLOWS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.

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

1

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.