IllustrationCONSUMER STATES HEAD GASKET FAILED TWICE.*JB
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
Structure complaints
23 reportsBAD DEFECT OF HEAD GASKET SEAL AND DOOR PANEL/CONTROL PANEL. *AK
WHEN THERE IS A RAIN STORM TWO INCHES OF RAIN COMES INSIDE OF VEHICLE. *AK
IN SEVERIAL NEON'S THERE HAS BEEN WATER DAMAGE DUE TO IMPROPERLY SEALED TRUNKS AND REAR LIGHTS. WATER COMES IN. SETTLES IN TIRE WELL, THEN SEEPS INTO BACK SEAT AND ONTO FLOOR. TO GET THIS FIXED $720. IN COST. THE BACK AREA FILLS UP WITH WATER. THE RUGS MILDEW AS WELL AS THE REAR SEAT. THE BOLTS ON DRIVERS SEAT RUSTED IN S…
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IN SEVERIAL NEON'S THERE HAS BEEN WATER DAMAGE DUE TO IMPROPERLY SEALED TRUNKS AND REAR LIGHTS. WATER COMES IN. SETTLES IN TIRE WELL, THEN SEEPS INTO BACK SEAT AND ONTO FLOOR. TO GET THIS FIXED $720. IN COST. THE BACK AREA FILLS UP WITH WATER. THE RUGS MILDEW AS WELL AS THE REAR SEAT. THE BOLTS ON DRIVERS SEAT RUSTED IN SHORT TIME.
EVERY TIME IT RAINS, WATER COMES IN THROUGH THE AREA WHERE THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR MEETS WITH THE BODY OF THE CAR, CAUSING RAIN TO POOL ON THE FLOOR OF THE BACK SEAT AND THEN THE SEAT GETS WET AND THE BACK OF THE SEAT ALSO. I HAVE MADE SURE THAT WINDOW AND DOOR ARE SECURELY CLOSED. I CAN SEE NO OBVIOUS REASON FOR THE RAIN TO BE …
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EVERY TIME IT RAINS, WATER COMES IN THROUGH THE AREA WHERE THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR MEETS WITH THE BODY OF THE CAR, CAUSING RAIN TO POOL ON THE FLOOR OF THE BACK SEAT AND THEN THE SEAT GETS WET AND THE BACK OF THE SEAT ALSO. I HAVE MADE SURE THAT WINDOW AND DOOR ARE SECURELY CLOSED. I CAN SEE NO OBVIOUS REASON FOR THE RAIN TO BE GETTING INTO THE CAR. IT ONLY DOES IT ON THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF WAYS TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE CAR IS IN MINT CONDITION AND I WOLD LIKE TO KEEP IT THAT WAY. NOW THE CARPET AND SEAT SMELLS MUSY AND I CAN'T LET MY CHILDREN RIDE IN THE CAR. *AK
GAS GAUGE FAILED.
NO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY CONSUMER.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 185R14 )
THE REAR BUMPER IS CRACKED AND CROOKED. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN. *AK
WATER LEAK IN FRONT OF DRIVER'S SIDE CABIN.
CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM.
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