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
62,000 miles · Jul 7, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 60,000 MILES. FORTUNATELY, MY COUSIN IS A CLAIMS ADJUSTER FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUP. I WAS TOLD TO GO TO CHRYSLER AND REMIND THEM OF THE OTHERS THAT THEY HAVE REIMBURSED FOR THESE DAMAGES AND IT WORKED. CHRYSLER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS, ALL THOUGH IT WAS NOT EASY. I GOT THE RUN AROUND AND AN EAR FULL OF…
Read full complaint
HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 60,000 MILES. FORTUNATELY, MY COUSIN IS A CLAIMS ADJUSTER FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUP. I WAS TOLD TO GO TO CHRYSLER AND REMIND THEM OF THE OTHERS THAT THEY HAVE REIMBURSED FOR THESE DAMAGES AND IT WORKED. CHRYSLER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS, ALL THOUGH IT WAS NOT EASY. I GOT THE RUN AROUND AND AN EAR FULL OF LIES. BUT, IN THE END THEY PAID. DON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER. THEY HAVE TO FIX IT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10025590
31,000 miles · Jun 26, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
1998, NEON SPORT HEAD GASKET OIL LEAK ON DRIVER'S SIDE (NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT DODGE IS VERY AWARE OF BUT REFUSE STO FIX AT THEIR EXPENSE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10023840
40,000 miles · Jun 25, 2003
Visibility
AS YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE SCREWS THAT HOLD THE LARGE SUNROOF GLASS TO THE VEHICLE VIBRATE OUT CAUSING AT ANY SPEED FOR THE GLASS TO FLAP VIGOROUSLY OF THE TOP OF YOU VEHICLE. NOT ONLY CAUSING POTENTIAL HARM TO PEOPLE BEHIND YOU BUT ALSO DAMAGE TO YOURSELF AND THE SUNROOF ASSEMBLY. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10023784
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD HEAD GASKET WAS BAD AND THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND HEAD GASKETS. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10023135
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM UNDERNEATH. ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10022978
Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM UNDER VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, VEHICLE OVERHEATED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10022632
39,000 miles · May 28, 2003
Structure
THE PAINT IS COMING OFF THE FRONT BUMPER AND APPEARS TO BE AN ADHERANCE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10020608
100 miles · May 25, 2003
Structure
RAIN WATER ACCUMULATES IN THE TRUNK GATHERING AROUND THE SPARE TIRE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE PURCHASE. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10019255
Mileage unknown · May 18, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE HEAD GASKET ON MY 1998 NEON IS NO GOOD AND HAS LEAKED OIL INTO MY COOLING SYSTEM. IT WILL COST ME OVER A $1000 TO FIX IT. I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT ON MY CAR WHICH I BOUGHT NEW IN 1998. THE COMPANY SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THIS DESIGN DEFECT. THANK YOU. MARY ANNE CORDALIS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10018873
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND CAUSED OIL TO LEAK. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM
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
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