IllustrationTHERE IS EXCESSIVE WEAR OF BRAKE ROTORS DUE TO EXCESS PITTING OF FRONT ROTORS. ALSO CASTING OF ROTORS HAVE BUBBLES, CAUSING DAMAGE TO BRAKE SHOES. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK
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
What owners actually said
611 reportsOIL LEAKS ONTO ENGINE DUE TO CAMSHAFT SEAL FAILURE.
CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM.
WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE GRINDING NOISE ON FRONT BRAKES. DEALER REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS ON BOTH FRONT BRAKES. *AK
BRAKES WENT OUT ON VEHICLE WHILE BRAKING. VACUUM BOOSTER WAS REPLACED WHICH DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. ALSO BRAKE ROTORS WAS REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM REMAINS. *AK
DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OR LESS BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. CONSUMER HAD TO GEAR DOWN. HAD TO TURN INTO A STREET TO AVOID ACCIDENT.THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED. IN ADDITION, PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS/ROTORS/HEADLIGHTS FAILED/ELECTRICAL SHORT DUE TO SEVERED WIRES/WINSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE HAD HOLE IN IT AND INSTALLED HORN. *AK
DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AT 40-45MPH, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER CONSUMER WAS GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
OIL LEAK CAUSE THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT.
SEAT BACK LATCH DOES NOT LOCK INTO POSITION DUE TO DESIGN FLAW.
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