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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.

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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

44 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

CHRYSLER SOLD NEONS WITH KNOWN FACTORY DEFECTS AS EVIDENCED BY ISSUANCE OF 70 TSBS AND FAILED TO RECALL CARS WHICH ARE HIGHWAY HAZARDS.TO DATE, I HAVE SPENT $10,088.79 ON REPAIRS DUE TO THESE KNOWN DEFECTS. TWO HEAD GASKETS, CYLINDER HEADS, CAM SEALS AND SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER UNDER CHRYSLER'S "SECRET WARRANTY…

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CHRYSLER SOLD NEONS WITH KNOWN FACTORY DEFECTS AS EVIDENCED BY ISSUANCE OF 70 TSBS AND FAILED TO RECALL CARS WHICH ARE HIGHWAY HAZARDS.TO DATE, I HAVE SPENT $10,088.79 ON REPAIRS DUE TO THESE KNOWN DEFECTS. TWO HEAD GASKETS, CYLINDER HEADS, CAM SEALS AND SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER UNDER CHRYSLER'S "SECRET WARRANTY"--AT 20,871 AND 54,049 MILES. NOW SUPPOSEDLY ONLY DEFECTIVE CAMSENSORS ARE THE PROBLEM. OTHER DEFECTS BEGINNING 20,000 MILES: RADIO/TAPE PLAYER, VIBRATION, CLINKLING/CLUNKING SOUND, STEERING WHEEL SHAKE, "TOE" PROBLEM DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE TIRE CONSUMPTION (TIRE & WHEEL RUN OUT), ABS FAILURE, BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN, BRAKE HOWLING, BRAKE METAL TO METAL CONTACT, NEED FOR LARGER BRAKE DRUMS, TRUNK WEATHERSTRIPPING DEFECTIVE, FAULTY DESIGN RESULTS IN LEAKS TO INTERIOR, LOWER CONTROL ARM DEFECTIVE, CANNOT HOLD ALIGNMENT, SUSPENSION SYSTEM DEFECTIVE, TIRES COLLAPSE AND FLY OFF, AC FAILURE (HOSE LEAKS, COMPRESSOR REPLACED), NEW BATTERIES REPEATED REPLACED ( AAA CALLED 12 TIMES AND RECHARGER PURCHASED) NOW A TBS SAYS THIS IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE RKE TRANSMITTER, 02 SENSORS, VARIOUS SEALS LEAK, WIRING DEFECTIVE, TRANSMISSION REPLACED (NOTHING BUT SHARDS OF METAL LEFT--ON DISPLAY AT TRANSMISSION SHOP), TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED, OIL LEAKAGE, LIFETIME BRAKES REPLACED EVERY 6 MONTHS, INSUFFICIENT POWER ON INCLINE, WITH PARKING BRAKE AND FOOT BRAKE ON CAR ROLLS OR LURCHES WHEN IGNITION TURNED OFF, STEERING COLUMN SHAKES VIOLENTLY AT 45 MPH, DIFFICULT TO STEER AT UNDER 45 MPH, DRIVER SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF, TURN SIGNAL DEFECTIVE, SEPARATION OF LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT, WHEELCOVER LOSS DUE TO MISSING OR LOOSE BOLTS, RIM REPLACEMENTS DUE TO TIRES FLYING OFF, OIL LEAK, GLOVE COMPARTMENT LATCH FAILURE, POOR DESIGN WITH NO LIGHTS AROUND LIGHTER, AND OTHER MINOR PROBLEMS. CHRYSLER IS A NEGLIGENT MANUFACTURER AND ALL NEONS SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #759610

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WHILE PARKED, TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED OUT OF VEHICLE. DEALER FOUND TRANSMISSION LINES LOOSE. VEHICLE SHIFTING BY ITSELF DUE TO A STICKY CABLE. OIL LEAK IN ENGINE. DEALER FOUND HEADGASKET FAILURE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ENGINE RUNS ROUGH. CAMSHAFT REPLACED. VEHICLE SHAKES AND TREMBLES WHILE BRAKING. WEATHERSTRIPPING FELL OFF O…

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WHILE PARKED, TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED OUT OF VEHICLE. DEALER FOUND TRANSMISSION LINES LOOSE. VEHICLE SHIFTING BY ITSELF DUE TO A STICKY CABLE. OIL LEAK IN ENGINE. DEALER FOUND HEADGASKET FAILURE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ENGINE RUNS ROUGH. CAMSHAFT REPLACED. VEHICLE SHAKES AND TREMBLES WHILE BRAKING. WEATHERSTRIPPING FELL OFF ON DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. ANTIFREEZE LEAKING. DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP. BATTERY CLAMP LOOSE CAUSING BATTERY LIGHT TO STAY ON. *AK *TT

NHTSA ODI #8005218

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NOISE COMING FROM BRAKES WHEN APPLIED. CARBON DUST BUILD UP IN BRAKES. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8001374

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. HERE IS JUST A BRIEF LIST: INCORRECT GAS MILEAGE BOTH CITY AND HIGHWAY, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, BRAKES SQUEAKING, AIR COMING THROUGH BAD WINDOW SEALS, DEFROST NOT WORKING PROPERLY, AIR CONDITIONING NOT WORKING CORRECTLY, 3 OXYGEN SENSORS REPLACED, 2 HEAD GASKETS RE…

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EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. HERE IS JUST A BRIEF LIST: INCORRECT GAS MILEAGE BOTH CITY AND HIGHWAY, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, BRAKES SQUEAKING, AIR COMING THROUGH BAD WINDOW SEALS, DEFROST NOT WORKING PROPERLY, AIR CONDITIONING NOT WORKING CORRECTLY, 3 OXYGEN SENSORS REPLACED, 2 HEAD GASKETS REPLACED, AND WATER COMING INTO THE TRUNK WHICH HAS CAUSED THE JACK AND TIRE CHANGING EQUIPMENT TO RUST. ALSO THE WATER THEN LEAKS INTO THE BACK FLOOR WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO SMELL. THE CS FOR DODGE WILL NOT AGREE TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH THE ORIGINAL ROOF DESIGN WHICH WOULD CORRECT THE WATER FROM COMING INTO THE TRUNK. FOR THE PAST YEAR, ABOUT EVERY 2 MONTHS SOMETHING IS GOING WRONG WITH THE CAR WHICH HAS JUST A LITTLE OVER 62,000 MILES AND PROPER MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN FOLLOWED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #754459

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #746663

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

HEAD GASKET BLEW. OXYGEN SENSOR BLEW. LEFT REAR BRAKE PAD FELL OFF AND JAMMED IN THE DRUM RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNMOVABLE. UPON INSPECTION, HAD TO REPLACE BOTH DRUMS, BOTH DISCS, AND NEW PADS ON FRONT AND BACK BOTH SIDES. WINDOW SEALS HAVE FAILED ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT WINDOW. WATER LEAKS IN AND AIR LEAKS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS…

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HEAD GASKET BLEW. OXYGEN SENSOR BLEW. LEFT REAR BRAKE PAD FELL OFF AND JAMMED IN THE DRUM RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNMOVABLE. UPON INSPECTION, HAD TO REPLACE BOTH DRUMS, BOTH DISCS, AND NEW PADS ON FRONT AND BACK BOTH SIDES. WINDOW SEALS HAVE FAILED ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT WINDOW. WATER LEAKS IN AND AIR LEAKS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, SLOWS CAR DOWN IMMENSLEY AND CAUSES MORE FUEL CONSUMPTION. DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HARSHLY SCRATCHED. GETS WORSE AS TIME GOES BY, HAVE SEEN OTHER NEON'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FUEL FILTER WENT, CAUSING THE ENTIRE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #745430

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ENTIRE BRAKES SYSTEM AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED BY MECHANIC DUE TO SYSTEM BEING RUSTY AND MAKING SQUEALING NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #887523

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 · Oct 17, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKES ARE HORRIBLE.. GRIND AS IF METAL ON METAL.. HAVE HAD THEM CHECKED BY DEALER AND TWO OTHER BRAKE SPECIALITS. ALL SAY BRAKES WORK FINE.. HOWEVER GRIND HORRIBLY.. AND CHIRP CONTINUOUSLY.. NOBODY CAN FIGURE IT OUT. THE PAINT IS ANOTHER ISSUE. IT PEELS ALL OVER INCLUDING TRUNK, DOORS, ROOF, ETC. SEEMS TO BE ONLY LAPIS …

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THE BRAKES ARE HORRIBLE.. GRIND AS IF METAL ON METAL.. HAVE HAD THEM CHECKED BY DEALER AND TWO OTHER BRAKE SPECIALITS. ALL SAY BRAKES WORK FINE.. HOWEVER GRIND HORRIBLY.. AND CHIRP CONTINUOUSLY.. NOBODY CAN FIGURE IT OUT. THE PAINT IS ANOTHER ISSUE. IT PEELS ALL OVER INCLUDING TRUNK, DOORS, ROOF, ETC. SEEMS TO BE ONLY LAPIS BLUE COLOR THAT DOES IT. I HAVE A LIST OF 12 VEHICLES IN THIS COLOR THAT ARE PEELING AS WELL AS SEVERAL PHOTOS. DEALER WANTED ME TO PAY, EVEN WHILE UNDER WARRANTY.. PHONED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND IT TOOK 4 MONTHS OF FIGHTING WITH THEM TO AGREE TO RE-PAINT HOWEVER THEY WILL ONLY RE-PAINT WHERE IT IS PEELING.. UNACCEPTABLE, AS MORE PAINT WILL CONTINUE TO PEEL IN OTHER AREAS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE COVERED WITH NO QUESTIONS.. THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.. THE BRAKES SHOULD BE FIXED ALSO. I DID NOT BOUGHT A NEW CAR TO AVOID PROBLEMS LIKE THESE.. THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THERE ARE SO MANY PROBLEMS LISTED ON THE COMPLAINT PAGE FOR THIS VEHICLE.. HOW LONG WILL IT BE BEFORE SOMEONE AT THE NHTSA DOES SOMETHING FOR US??*AK

NHTSA ODI #734576

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, THE HEAD GASKET ON MY YOUNG NEON HAS BLOWN.I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES SQUEALING, POWER STEERING LOCKING UP IN WET WEATHER AND THE TURN SIGNAL NOW ONLY WORKS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT. THE RADIO HAD TO BE REPLACED THE FIRST YEAR I OWNED THE CAR - AND IT TOOK THE DEALER NEARLY A MONTH TO GET THAT DONE.

NHTSA ODI #718253

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.