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: 45 of 339 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 199 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
43 crash reports3 fire reports32 injury reports
What owners actually said
339 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
MY NEON HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOR SPARK PLUGS, ENGINE MISFIRES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TRIGGERED, BRAKES ARE VERY NOISY BUT ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP-NEED NO REPLACEMENT, SUNROOF REPAIRED TWICE; IT FELL OFF TRACK AND WOULDN'T SHUT IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER, RECENTLY THE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING; WINDOWS LEAK AIR, OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED REPAIR, …
Read full complaint
MY NEON HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOR SPARK PLUGS, ENGINE MISFIRES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TRIGGERED, BRAKES ARE VERY NOISY BUT ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP-NEED NO REPLACEMENT, SUNROOF REPAIRED TWICE; IT FELL OFF TRACK AND WOULDN'T SHUT IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER, RECENTLY THE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING; WINDOWS LEAK AIR, OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED REPAIR, WARRANTY HAS PAID FOR ITSELF PLUS MORE.....I AM WAITING FOR THE NEXT PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #740076
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2001
Air BagsCrash
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MPH VEHICLE STRUCK A PARKED CAR, AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #878853
Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #739639
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE FOR AWHILE BEFORE IT WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. SOMETIMES WOULD SURGE FORWARD WHEN GAS PEDAL PRESSED LIGHTLY. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES TO HAVE PROBLEM REPAIRED. PROBLEM BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER 2 1/2 YEARS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #878317
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET FAILURE @ 65000 MILES THATS BOGUS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #739540
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE'S HEADGASKET WAS LEAKING OIL. THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THE HEADGASKET WAS $544.88. I GOT IT REPLACED BY NORWOOD DODGE. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THE HEADGASKET WAS DEFECTIVE, AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ORDER CHRYSLER TO ISSUE A RECALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE
NHTSA ODI #739521
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2001
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
REAR ENED ANOTHER CAR AT 25 M.P.H AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO THE DRIVERSIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK THUS CAUSING ME TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND A TRIP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM!
NHTSA ODI #739499
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #739497
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING HEAD GASKET MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING ENGINE PROBLEMS, AND VEHICLE OVERHEATING AND STALLING UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MAY BE MISSING SPOT WELDS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN STRUCTURAL CRACKS IN THE BODY, AND REDUCED CRASH PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MISSING WELDS, AND WILL HAVE STRUCTURAL RIVETS INSTALLED IN PLACE OF THE MISSING WELDS.
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.
1998 Dodge Neon Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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