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 · Dec 1, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Air
THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAD WITH THIS CAR WAS THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. CHRYSLER AGREED TO PAY FOR IT (THE $1000 WAS MY ESTIMATE OF WHAT IT COST TO REPLACE THE GASKET). THE SECOND PROBLEM WAS THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY AND COIL PACK QUIT WORKING, BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. I PAID $600 OUT OF MY POCKET TO FIX THEM. THE THIRD PROBLEM WAS THE A…
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THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAD WITH THIS CAR WAS THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. CHRYSLER AGREED TO PAY FOR IT (THE $1000 WAS MY ESTIMATE OF WHAT IT COST TO REPLACE THE GASKET). THE SECOND PROBLEM WAS THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY AND COIL PACK QUIT WORKING, BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. I PAID $600 OUT OF MY POCKET TO FIX THEM. THE THIRD PROBLEM WAS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE WHEN ITS COLD. THE FOURTH MOST CURRENT PROBLEM IS THE BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY THE PEDAL WILL NOT GO DOWN AND THE DEALER SAYS ITS PROBABLY SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE VACUUM SYSTEM. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS FOR THE TRANSMISSION, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE ADMITTED THAT THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS PER INFORMATION I OBTAINED FROM A WEB SITE CALLED LEMON- AID. ****** I WILL NEVER BUY A DODGE AGAIN!!! I'M SPREADING THE WORD. I COME INTO CONTACT WITH MANY PEOPLE EVERDAY. SO SORRY DODGE!!!******
NHTSA ODI #715511
Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD TWO HEAD GASKETS BLOWN, IN A TWELVE MONTH PERIOD. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #783588
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 1999
Wheels
WHILE DRIVING WHEEL WENT FLAT. STARTED TO CHANGE THE TIRE & NOTICED THE STUDS HAD BROKEN COMPLETELY. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC IT WAS OWNER'S FAULT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #853241
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING HESITATION AND STALLING WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #853221
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
KEPT HAVING A LEAKE. TOOK IN VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED, TIRE TO BE ROTATED. CAR INSPECTED, AND THEY NOTICED ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING, COMING FROM THE O-RINGS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #853090
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
OIL LEAK FOR QUITE A WHILE. MECHANIC SAID COMMON TO 97 . *AK
NHTSA ODI #714719
Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
STARTED AS SMALL OIL LEAK, KEPT GETTING WORSE. TOLD 3-4 WEEKS AGO THERE WAS A BAD HEAD GASKET AND A CHRYSLER ZONE REP WOULD BE CONTACTED. HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET BUT I'M WAITING FOR A CALL ON MONDAY. I WAS TOLD THERE WERE 3-4 OTHER NEONS IN THE SHOP WHEN MY CAR WAS BEING CHECKED THE FIRST TIME. ALSO TOLD THAT ALL VEHICLES W…
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STARTED AS SMALL OIL LEAK, KEPT GETTING WORSE. TOLD 3-4 WEEKS AGO THERE WAS A BAD HEAD GASKET AND A CHRYSLER ZONE REP WOULD BE CONTACTED. HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET BUT I'M WAITING FOR A CALL ON MONDAY. I WAS TOLD THERE WERE 3-4 OTHER NEONS IN THE SHOP WHEN MY CAR WAS BEING CHECKED THE FIRST TIME. ALSO TOLD THAT ALL VEHICLES WITH SAME ENGINE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS BUT GIVEN NO FURTHER DETAILS. TOLD NOT TO PUT MONEY INTO MY CAR IF I WAS GOING TO GET RID OF IT.
NHTSA ODI #714445
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 1999
Unknown Or Other
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #714415
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
OIL IS SPLATTERING OUT OF ENGINE. CONSUMER HAS TO CONTINUALLY PUT OIL IN VEHICLE. CHRSLER TOLD CONSUMER TO GO TO AN AUTHORIZED CHRSLER DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #852342
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING OIL LEAKS OUT OF THE ENGINE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT . PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FUTHER INFORMATION. *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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