IllustrationOXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. YH
1998 Dodge Neon
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1998 Dodge Neon do not stand out strongly from 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: 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 reportsBUMPER COVER & TRUNK LID ASSEMBLY EXPERIENCING FAILURE. *YC
AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. NLM
WHILE DRIVING AND STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE MISFIRES/BACKFIRES, AND ALSO STALLS OUT. DEALER HAS TRIED TO REPAIR AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
ORGINALLY MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BROKEN, REPAIRS WERE MADE. IN ADDITION, ENGINE HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO EXTENDED WARRANTY. DEALER INDICATED THAT CAN REMEDY PROBLEM BUT AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
CONSUMER WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION AT 40 MPH AND BOTH THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN INJURY TO CONSUMER. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK
CONSUMER WAS APPROX. 60MPH IN THE SLOW LANE WHEN A 18 WHEELER CROSSED OVER THE LINE AND SIDE SWIPED VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO GIVE WARNING TO DRIVER DUE TO THE HORN WOULD NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. *AK
THE DEALER IS TRYING TO BLAME EXCESSIVE CARBON BUILDUP IN AN EIGHT MONTH OLD ENGINE ON POOR GAS. THEIR PROPOSED A FIX IS RUNNING ENGINE CLEANER THROUGH THE COMBUSTION SYSTEM. IT HARDLY SEEMS PRACTICAL TO ASSUME THAT THE COMBUSTION SYSTEM WILL HAVE TO BE CLEANED EVERY 12,000 MILES ON A MODERN AUTOMOBILE RUNNING ON GASOLINE FROM N…
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THE DEALER IS TRYING TO BLAME EXCESSIVE CARBON BUILDUP IN AN EIGHT MONTH OLD ENGINE ON POOR GAS. THEIR PROPOSED A FIX IS RUNNING ENGINE CLEANER THROUGH THE COMBUSTION SYSTEM. IT HARDLY SEEMS PRACTICAL TO ASSUME THAT THE COMBUSTION SYSTEM WILL HAVE TO BE CLEANED EVERY 12,000 MILES ON A MODERN AUTOMOBILE RUNNING ON GASOLINE FROM NATIONAL COMPANIES SUCH AS AMOCO AND SHELL. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL CARS NOWADAYS.
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN THERE IS A PARTIAL HANG UP IN THE STEERING, CAUSING A LOUD POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. OWNER FEELS THAT THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE UNDER RECALL BECAUSE OF SERVICE BULLETIN. *AK *ML
CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AT 40MPH HIT A STOP SIGN AND FELL THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Official recalls
199V001000 · Structure:body
Jan 7, 1999
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
1PE02082 · 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.