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1997 Dodge Neon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Neon years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Dodge Neon are substantially higher than the model-year median of 173.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 35 of 390 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 222 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

44 crash reports12 fire reports24 injury reports

Visibility complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

CHRYSLER SOLD NEONS WITH KNOWN FACTORY DEFECTS AS EVIDENCED BY ISSUANCE OF 70 TSBS AND FAILED TO RECALL CARS WHICH ARE HIGHWAY HAZARDS.TO DATE, I HAVE SPENT $10,088.79 ON REPAIRS DUE TO THESE KNOWN DEFECTS. TWO HEAD GASKETS, CYLINDER HEADS, CAM SEALS AND SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER UNDER CHRYSLER'S "SECRET WARRANTY…

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CHRYSLER SOLD NEONS WITH KNOWN FACTORY DEFECTS AS EVIDENCED BY ISSUANCE OF 70 TSBS AND FAILED TO RECALL CARS WHICH ARE HIGHWAY HAZARDS.TO DATE, I HAVE SPENT $10,088.79 ON REPAIRS DUE TO THESE KNOWN DEFECTS. TWO HEAD GASKETS, CYLINDER HEADS, CAM SEALS AND SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER UNDER CHRYSLER'S "SECRET WARRANTY"--AT 20,871 AND 54,049 MILES. NOW SUPPOSEDLY ONLY DEFECTIVE CAMSENSORS ARE THE PROBLEM. OTHER DEFECTS BEGINNING 20,000 MILES: RADIO/TAPE PLAYER, VIBRATION, CLINKLING/CLUNKING SOUND, STEERING WHEEL SHAKE, "TOE" PROBLEM DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE TIRE CONSUMPTION (TIRE & WHEEL RUN OUT), ABS FAILURE, BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN, BRAKE HOWLING, BRAKE METAL TO METAL CONTACT, NEED FOR LARGER BRAKE DRUMS, TRUNK WEATHERSTRIPPING DEFECTIVE, FAULTY DESIGN RESULTS IN LEAKS TO INTERIOR, LOWER CONTROL ARM DEFECTIVE, CANNOT HOLD ALIGNMENT, SUSPENSION SYSTEM DEFECTIVE, TIRES COLLAPSE AND FLY OFF, AC FAILURE (HOSE LEAKS, COMPRESSOR REPLACED), NEW BATTERIES REPEATED REPLACED ( AAA CALLED 12 TIMES AND RECHARGER PURCHASED) NOW A TBS SAYS THIS IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE RKE TRANSMITTER, 02 SENSORS, VARIOUS SEALS LEAK, WIRING DEFECTIVE, TRANSMISSION REPLACED (NOTHING BUT SHARDS OF METAL LEFT--ON DISPLAY AT TRANSMISSION SHOP), TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED, OIL LEAKAGE, LIFETIME BRAKES REPLACED EVERY 6 MONTHS, INSUFFICIENT POWER ON INCLINE, WITH PARKING BRAKE AND FOOT BRAKE ON CAR ROLLS OR LURCHES WHEN IGNITION TURNED OFF, STEERING COLUMN SHAKES VIOLENTLY AT 45 MPH, DIFFICULT TO STEER AT UNDER 45 MPH, DRIVER SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF, TURN SIGNAL DEFECTIVE, SEPARATION OF LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT, WHEELCOVER LOSS DUE TO MISSING OR LOOSE BOLTS, RIM REPLACEMENTS DUE TO TIRES FLYING OFF, OIL LEAK, GLOVE COMPARTMENT LATCH FAILURE, POOR DESIGN WITH NO LIGHTS AROUND LIGHTER, AND OTHER MINOR PROBLEMS. CHRYSLER IS A NEGLIGENT MANUFACTURER AND ALL NEONS SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #759610

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2002
Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructure

I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH NEONS MADE IN 97 AND THEY SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. ALSO THE PAINT IS COMING OFF. I HAVE SEEN MANY NEON'S SINCE I BOUGHT MINE, WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. . NO SAFETYD EFEC TMENTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #757823

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2001
Visibility

GLARE FROM DASHBOARD REFLECTING ON THE WINDSHEILD IS DANGEROUS. AT TIMES THE GLARE MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE WHEN HEADING INTO THE SUN. THIS IS A PROBLEM EVEN WHEN WEARING SUNGLASSES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #746184

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

HEAD GASKET BLEW. OXYGEN SENSOR BLEW. LEFT REAR BRAKE PAD FELL OFF AND JAMMED IN THE DRUM RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNMOVABLE. UPON INSPECTION, HAD TO REPLACE BOTH DRUMS, BOTH DISCS, AND NEW PADS ON FRONT AND BACK BOTH SIDES. WINDOW SEALS HAVE FAILED ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT WINDOW. WATER LEAKS IN AND AIR LEAKS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS…

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HEAD GASKET BLEW. OXYGEN SENSOR BLEW. LEFT REAR BRAKE PAD FELL OFF AND JAMMED IN THE DRUM RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNMOVABLE. UPON INSPECTION, HAD TO REPLACE BOTH DRUMS, BOTH DISCS, AND NEW PADS ON FRONT AND BACK BOTH SIDES. WINDOW SEALS HAVE FAILED ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT WINDOW. WATER LEAKS IN AND AIR LEAKS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, SLOWS CAR DOWN IMMENSLEY AND CAUSES MORE FUEL CONSUMPTION. DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HARSHLY SCRATCHED. GETS WORSE AS TIME GOES BY, HAVE SEEN OTHER NEON'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FUEL FILTER WENT, CAUSING THE ENTIRE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #745430

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2001
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WAS FOGGING UP. TURNED SWITCH TO PUT ON DEFOGGER AND SWITCH BLEWOUT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #887520

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

HEATER BLOWER MOTOR FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ODI #784724

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVisibility

THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND HEAD GASKET FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #784723

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 1997
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringVisibility

WINDOW SEALS FAILED DUE TO AIR LEAK.

NHTSA ODI #523166

Official recalls

1

97V080000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

May 16, 1997

THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESIGN ALLOWS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.

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

1

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.