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 4, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE HEARD THAT THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH HEAD GASKETS IN THE DODGE NEONS. AND THAT DODGE HAS REDESIGNED THEM. WHAT ABOUT THOSE OF US WHO ARE STUCK WITH THE BAD GASKETS? I HAVE TALKED WITH EVERY DODGE DEALER WITHIN A 100 MILE RADIUS AS WELL AS A FEW MECHANIC SHOPS. A COUPLE OF THEM TOLD ME THAT DODGE WAS THINKING ABOUT …
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I HAVE HEARD THAT THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH HEAD GASKETS IN THE DODGE NEONS. AND THAT DODGE HAS REDESIGNED THEM. WHAT ABOUT THOSE OF US WHO ARE STUCK WITH THE BAD GASKETS? I HAVE TALKED WITH EVERY DODGE DEALER WITHIN A 100 MILE RADIUS AS WELL AS A FEW MECHANIC SHOPS. A COUPLE OF THEM TOLD ME THAT DODGE WAS THINKING ABOUT DOING A RECALL ON THE HEAD GASKETS. I WANT TO KNOW WHY I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY 500-800 DOLLARS FOR SOMETHING THAT DODGE NEW WAS GOING TO HAPPEN SOONER OR LATER. EVERY DEALER I HAVE SPOKEN WITH HAS SAID THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALOT OF HEAD GASKETS ON THE NEONS. PLEASE ADVISE ME IF DODGE IS GOING TO DO A RECALL OR NOT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.
NHTSA ODI #704008
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
IT HAPPENS PROBABLY 2 TIMES A DAY. WHEN I AM ALMOST STOPPED FROM A SLOW SPEED PULLING IN A DRIVEWAY, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ABS BRAKES ARE GOING OFF. THEY MAKE A FUNNY VIBRATING NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES WACKO. IT DOESN'T WANT TO STOP. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE NOW THAN EVER BEFORE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID NOTH…
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IT HAPPENS PROBABLY 2 TIMES A DAY. WHEN I AM ALMOST STOPPED FROM A SLOW SPEED PULLING IN A DRIVEWAY, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ABS BRAKES ARE GOING OFF. THEY MAKE A FUNNY VIBRATING NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES WACKO. IT DOESN'T WANT TO STOP. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE NOW THAN EVER BEFORE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG, YET I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT RIGHT. I FEEL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND SCARED THAT ONE DAY IT REALLY ISN'T GOING TO STOP. PLEASE ADVISE IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS. THANK YOU!
NHTSA ODI #704007
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL FROM ENGINE HEAD GASKET WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834421
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE HEAD GASKET GOES OUT WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. HAD A 1996 NEON AND TRADED IN FOR 1997 NEON, BUT HAS SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK
NHTSA ODI #835209
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 1999
Electrical System
WIRES HAVE SHORT CIRCUITED, BURNING THE SENSORS TO AIRBAG AND THE HORN, RESULTING IN THE AIRBAG AND HORN BEING INOPERATIVE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #835159
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL MECHNICS THAT THE HEAD GASKET LEAKING ON DODGE NEONS IS A COMMON PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #703652
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
CHRYSLER ISSUED AN INTERNAL BULLETIN REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THEY WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL, SPEED CONTROL IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #703472
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAM SEAL IS DUMPING OIL ONTO HOT ENGINE, CAUSING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834813
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 1999
Air BagsInjury
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT INDICATIONS, BLOWING OUT THE WINDOWS OF VEHICLE. ALSO INJURING CONSUMER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834754
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
AT 42,000 MILES THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET CRACKED FOUR TIMES, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
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
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