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: 45 of 339 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 199 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
43 crash reports3 fire reports32 injury reports
What owners actually said
339 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND GOING UP HILLS, THE CONSUMER HAS TO PUT THE FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL HARD TO GET SOME SPEED. ON WET PAVEMENT THE VEHICLE REALLY DOESN'T HAVE POWER. THE VEHICLE WILL DOWNSHIFT, AND WHEN DRIVING IT WILL DO LIGHT SHIFTING. VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP, AND THE DEALER SAID THE VEHICLE PASSED ALL THE FUEL TESTS…
Read full complaint
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND GOING UP HILLS, THE CONSUMER HAS TO PUT THE FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL HARD TO GET SOME SPEED. ON WET PAVEMENT THE VEHICLE REALLY DOESN'T HAVE POWER. THE VEHICLE WILL DOWNSHIFT, AND WHEN DRIVING IT WILL DO LIGHT SHIFTING. VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP, AND THE DEALER SAID THE VEHICLE PASSED ALL THE FUEL TESTS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THE DEALER DID SOME WORK ON THE OIL PAN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #829027
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 1998
Seat Belts
SMALL PLASTIC LOCK THAT HOLDS THE BELT AND KEEPS CHILD SEATS FROM TIPPING FORWARD CAME LOOSE.
NHTSA ODI #540820
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 1998
StructureInjury
CONSUMER HAS A HEAD INJURY DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE TRUNK, THERE IS NOTHING TO HOLD THE TRUNK UP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #827573
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 1998
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND VEHICLE STARTED TO SHIMMY. THE BOLT TO THE WHEEL FELL OUT ,CAUSING THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL TO BEND. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WILL REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #827349
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 1998
Power Train
CAR STARTED TO JERK AND SPEED DROPPED WHILE GOING UP HILL.
NHTSA ODI #539026
Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
TIMING BELT BROKE CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE COMPONENTS.
NHTSA ODI #538020
Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 1998
Visibility
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WINDOW EXPLODED IN WARM WEATHER, CAUSING GLASS TO FLY EVERYWHERE. CAUSE OF PROBLEM UNKNOWN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #824986
Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 1998
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 10 MPH CONSUMER STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO, THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #824867
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 1998
Vehicle Speed Control
THROTTLE BODY FAILED, HAVING TROUBLE GETTING PART IN ORDER TO CORRECT ENGINE SURGING AND STALLING.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MAY BE MISSING SPOT WELDS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN STRUCTURAL CRACKS IN THE BODY, AND REDUCED CRASH PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MISSING WELDS, AND WILL HAVE STRUCTURAL RIVETS INSTALLED IN PLACE OF THE MISSING WELDS.
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.
1998 Dodge Neon Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration