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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 →
611Owner complaints

Model-year median: 173

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

2Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
3
19939
1994976
1995611
1996390
1997339
1998116
1999
Compare all Neon years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
340Electrical System
93Service Brakes, Hydraulic
88Power Train
47Air Bags
44
All reported categories
Unknown Or Other
37Steering
24Structure
23Visibility
17Vehicle Speed Control
16Exterior Lighting
15Fuel System, Gasoline
14Equipment
12Seat Belts
10Suspension
7Fuel System, Other
6Seats
6Tires
4Interior Lighting
3Engine
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Service Brakes, Air
1Wheels
1

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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

340 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE FOLLOWING ARE A LIST OF PROBLEMS WE HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR: AIR FLOW KNOB FAILED, VALVE COVER GASKETS 3X'S, HEAD GASKET, SQUEAKING BRAKES, CAMSHAFT SENSOR SEAL FAILURE, SPARK PLUG O-RING, SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, REAR SUSPENSION CAME LOOSE, LOUD EXHAUST. SHOW US YOU CAN DO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED YOUR HELP SOME GOOD. GET US SOM…

Read full complaint

THE FOLLOWING ARE A LIST OF PROBLEMS WE HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR: AIR FLOW KNOB FAILED, VALVE COVER GASKETS 3X'S, HEAD GASKET, SQUEAKING BRAKES, CAMSHAFT SENSOR SEAL FAILURE, SPARK PLUG O-RING, SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, REAR SUSPENSION CAME LOOSE, LOUD EXHAUST. SHOW US YOU CAN DO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED YOUR HELP SOME GOOD. GET US SOME ANSWERS!!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #716380

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

THE 1996 DODGE NEON SHOULD BE RECALLED. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #716117

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

, BUT I CAN NOT FIND ANY WET CARPET OR SEATS. I HAVE HAD THE INTERIOR STEAMED CLEANED AND DEORDORIZED, BUT THE SMELL RETURNS IN A DAY OR SO. MY DAUGHTER,WHO DRIVES THE CAR,SMELLS FROM BEING IN THE CAR. THE SMELL IS SO BAD THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE ANY LENGHT OF TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #715948

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

PREMATURE FAILURE OF ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK

NHTSA ODI #715871

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

OIL IS LEAKING BAD FROM THE HEAD GASKET... I SEE THAT YOU ALREADY GOT QUITE SOME COMPLAINTS... WHAT ABOUT A RECALL??? OIL LEAKING IS CLOSE TO THE MANIFOLD... COULD CAUSE SOME FIRE... RECALL...

NHTSA ODI #715617

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

AFTER A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND SEVERAL CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM... SOMEONE SUGGEST A REPAIR UNDER THE SECRET EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM CHRYSLER... I'M GONNA TRY IT... PRICE TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET: 700 DLLS AND UP.

NHTSA ODI #715616

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ODI #715518

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

NOTICED OIL LEAK DUE TO A BLOWEN OUT ENGINE HEAD GASKET DUE TO POOR DESIGN. CONTACTED DEALER . *AK

NHTSA ODI #850244

Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #715126

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

TOOK VEHICLE TO A NEIGHBOR WHO IS MECHANIC, AND TOLD HER THAT THE PART THAT BROKE WAS A BOLT THAT WAS PART OF THE ENGINE MOUNT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #852985

Official recalls

2

96V075000 · 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

2

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.

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