Illustration96 NEON [XXX] HEAD GASKET REPLACED AT 18,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Neon years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsCONSUMER STATES THAT OIL LEAKS FROM THE HEAD GASKET CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE 3-4 QUARTS OF OIL A WEEK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH
1996 DODGE NEON WITH A LITTLE OVER 70,000 MILES ON IT. CAR IS LEAKING OIL..ACCORDING TO MECHANIC, THE HEAD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $700-$800. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NEON. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. IF NOT, IS THERE ANY STEPS I CAN TAKE TO …
Read full complaint
1996 DODGE NEON WITH A LITTLE OVER 70,000 MILES ON IT. CAR IS LEAKING OIL..ACCORDING TO MECHANIC, THE HEAD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $700-$800. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NEON. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. IF NOT, IS THERE ANY STEPS I CAN TAKE TO HAVE THIS COST PAID BY DODGE? TS
CONSUMER NOTICE OIL ON THEIR DRIVEWAY UNDER THEIR VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICED, DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THEIR IS A LEAK INTO THE HEAD GASKET AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS TS
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
HEAD GASKET FAILURES SEEM TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. CHRYSLER WILL PROVIDE NO HELP EVEN THOUGH IT IS APPARENT THAT IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM. THE DECISION MAKER AT CHRYSLER WILL NOT SPEAK TO CONSUMERS. HOW CAN THIS CONTINUE?*PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768033
THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. ALSO THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN REAR OF WHEEL. DEALERSHIPIS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
THEY HAD TO ADD OIL TO VEHICLE CONSTANTLY, AND THERE WOULD BE PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER VEHICLE. THIS WAS AS A RESULT OF AN OIL LEAK, HAD PART REPLACED, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. .CONTACTED DEALER.*AK
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE GASKET FAILED. *YH
CONSUMER STATES THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, FUEL GAUGE, TEMPERATURE GUAGE, AND SPEEDOMETER FAILED. DEALER FOUND FAULTY CIRCUIT BOARD. REPLACED PLUGS AND WIRES. *TT
Official recalls
296V075000 · 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
2PE02082 · 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