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
What owners actually said
611 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
THIS WAS CONSUMERS FOURTH TIME OF HAVING HEAD GASKETS FIXED. ON 02-25-1998 HEAD GASKETS AND CAMSHAFT WERE REPLACED AT 24,194 MILES; ON 04-30-1998, CYLINDER HEAD & SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED AT 25,509 MILES; ON 10-5-1998, ENGINE OIL LEAKED, CAMSHAFT SENSOR SEAL WAS REPLACED AT 28,847MILES; AND ON 0 3-27-2001, GASKETS/ VAL…
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THIS WAS CONSUMERS FOURTH TIME OF HAVING HEAD GASKETS FIXED. ON 02-25-1998 HEAD GASKETS AND CAMSHAFT WERE REPLACED AT 24,194 MILES; ON 04-30-1998, CYLINDER HEAD & SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED AT 25,509 MILES; ON 10-5-1998, ENGINE OIL LEAKED, CAMSHAFT SENSOR SEAL WAS REPLACED AT 28,847MILES; AND ON 0 3-27-2001, GASKETS/ VALVE COVER, AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 48,800 MILES. CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO GET TO BOTTOM OF PROBLEM, AND FIND OUT WHY THIS KEPT HAPPENING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #884452
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #743107
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #743050
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2001
Power Train
MAIN SEAL WAS REPLACED BY DEALER, BUT IT NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. CONSUMER BELIEVED DEALER NEVER REPLACED SEAL, ONLY HAD VEHICLE FOR 30 MINUTES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #883653
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET BLEW ON VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #883636
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, OtherPower Train
VEHICLE STALLS/ SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGE WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #883401
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2001
Power Train
VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO GET IN REVERSE. THIS WAS WORSE WHEN 20 TO 85 DEGREES OUTSIDE. VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE UNTIL 55-60 MPH, BUT 1 AND 2 WERE OKAY. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT LOCAL CHICAGO NON-SELLING DODGE DEALER AT MY COST OF $1,200. THE DEALER ADVISED FRONT PUMP SEAL FAILED CAUSING ENTIRE TRANSMISSION TO …
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VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO GET IN REVERSE. THIS WAS WORSE WHEN 20 TO 85 DEGREES OUTSIDE. VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE UNTIL 55-60 MPH, BUT 1 AND 2 WERE OKAY. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT LOCAL CHICAGO NON-SELLING DODGE DEALER AT MY COST OF $1,200. THE DEALER ADVISED FRONT PUMP SEAL FAILED CAUSING ENTIRE TRANSMISSION TO OVERHEAT AND FAIL. THE SERVICE WRITER ADVISED THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE WITH THESE VEHICLES. REVIEWING WEB SITES (INCLUDING THIS ONE) I SEE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THIS EXACT SET OF SYMPTONS. I HAVE RECENTLY REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM DODGE, BUT THEY HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO RESPOND YET. *AK
NHTSA ODI #742647
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT OUT. HAD NO INTERIOR OR OUTSIDE LIGHTS. HAD SOME LEAKAGE FROM TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC REPAIRED LEAKAGES/STARTER/HEAD GASKETS/ OIL PRESSURE SWITCH, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS.*AK WATER LEAK FROM THE TRUNK TO REAR FLOOR BOARDS CAUSED CORROSION.…
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WHILE DRIVING ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT OUT. HAD NO INTERIOR OR OUTSIDE LIGHTS. HAD SOME LEAKAGE FROM TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC REPAIRED LEAKAGES/STARTER/HEAD GASKETS/ OIL PRESSURE SWITCH, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS.*AK WATER LEAK FROM THE TRUNK TO REAR FLOOR BOARDS CAUSED CORROSION. ALSO, SIGNAL LIGHT FAILED TO GO OFF. CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BEFOR E PURCHASE. *YH
NHTSA ODI #883192
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 71,000 MILES DUE TO POOR DESIGN. *AK *SLC
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.
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
1996 Dodge Neon Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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