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: 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
What owners actually said
390 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE HEAD GASKET WENT OUT OF MY '97 NEON ONLY 45 DAYS AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. I CALLED THE 800 # ON THE WARRANTY CARD AND THEY PRETTY MUCH HUNG UP THE PHONE ON ME SAYING THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. I HAVE DONE SOME INVESTIGATING AND IT SEEMS THIS IS A VERY COMMON ERROR WITH THIS CAR, EVEN THE DEALER TOL…
Read full complaint
THE HEAD GASKET WENT OUT OF MY '97 NEON ONLY 45 DAYS AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. I CALLED THE 800 # ON THE WARRANTY CARD AND THEY PRETTY MUCH HUNG UP THE PHONE ON ME SAYING THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. I HAVE DONE SOME INVESTIGATING AND IT SEEMS THIS IS A VERY COMMON ERROR WITH THIS CAR, EVEN THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS A PROBLEM. IT COST ME $678.00 TO REPAIR A DEALER DESIGN FAULT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #739602
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
OIL LIGHT COMES ON ALL TIME,AND THERE WERE PUDDLES OF OIL ON GROUND. TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT ENGINE GASKET HAD AN OIL LEAK.*AK ACCORDING TO THE INVESTIGATION DONE BY CONSUMER, THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM LIES ON DETECTIVE HEAD GASKET USED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE. *YH
NHTSA ODI #878213
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER NOTICED A PUDDLE OF OIL FORMING IN DRIVEWAY. DEALER HAS REPAIRED ONCE, BUT ENGINE IS LEAKING AGAIN. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #877546
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE GASKET HAS CRACK IN REAR,CAUSING AN OIL LEAK IN COMPARTMENT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK ORIGINAL GASKET WAS A FIBER GASKET AND WAS A FAILURE. THE NEW NEON'S GASKET CONTAIN A METAL AND FIBER GASKET. *YH
NHTSA ODI #877537
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
OIL IS LEAKING BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. *AK
NHTSA ODI #738830
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2001
Air Bags
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY CONTACT TO VEHICLE BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEPLOYMENT CAUSED BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOWS TO SHATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #877454
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2001
Unknown Or Other
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #738662
Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY SAID NO!
NHTSA ODI #738095
Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO GET OIL CHANGED WAS NOTIFIED THAT HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING .*AK
NHTSA ODI #876634
Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
DEALER NOTIFIED AND WORKING TO RESOLVE $ EXPENSE WITH ME AND WARRANTY DEPT. HEAD GASKET FAILED AND NOTICED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS IN THIS AREA. WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN MADE? WAS THIS JUST A POORLY DESIGNED ENGINE?*AK
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.
1997 Dodge Neon Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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