1996 Dodge NEON: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
352 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
81,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 38 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 161 of 352 complaints (45.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 37 | 10.5% |
| Engine operation | 30 | 8.5% |
| Braking behavior | 30 | 8.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 25 | 7.1% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 2.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 161 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 45 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 23 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 19 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 14 |
| Unknown Or Other | 14 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 10 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 161; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 45; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 23; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 19; Air Bags:Frontal: 14; Unknown Or Other: 14; Electrical System: 10; Electrical System:Ignition: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 314 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 2000 | 130 |
| 2001 | 94 |
| 2002 | 49 |
| 2003 | 28 |
| 2004 | 19 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1995: 2; 1996: 13; 2000: 130; 2001: 94; 2002: 49; 2003: 28; 2004: 19; 2005: 5; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 3; 2011: 3; 2014: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 37 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 30 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000276 · 2002-12-19 (December 19, 2002)
SAME ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL # 96V026000, BUT MY NEON WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BECAUSE IT WAS NOT MADE IN MEXICO. AN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS CAN SHORT CIRCUIT DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION TUBE.. SHORTING OF THE WIRING HARNESS CAN CAUSE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS, INCLUDING ENGINE STALLING.
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000276 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000506 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)
1996 DODGE NEON WITH A LITTLE OVER 70,000 MILES ON IT. CAR IS LEAKING OIL..ACCORDING TO MECHANIC, THE HEAD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $700-$800. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NEON. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. IF NOT, IS THERE ANY STEPS I CAN TAKE TO HAVE THIS COST PAID BY DODGE? TS
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000506 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002057 · 2003-01-06 (January 6, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT OIL LEAKS FROM THE HEAD GASKET CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE 3-4 QUARTS OF OIL A WEEK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002057 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004013 · 2003-01-16 (January 16, 2003)
WHEN EVER IT RAINS WATER ACCUMULATES IN THE TRUNK AREA AND ALL OVER THE RUG IN THE REAR OF VEHICLE. IT LEAVES A MILDEW SMELL, AND CAUSES DOOR KNOBS TO RUST. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH *TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004013 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004922 · 2003-01-29 (January 29, 2003)
96 NEON [XXX] HEAD GASKET REPLACED AT 18,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004922 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004990 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
I HAVE A 1996 DODGE NEON. THIS CAR IS A COMPLETE LEMON,MY ENGINE SEALENT HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR OVER 2 YEARS,IM AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER THAT HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE SEALENT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005617 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
OIL SENDING UNIT ON 1996 DODGE NEON - FLAWED PART CAUSING SEVERE OIL LEAK, BLOWING HEAD GASKET
Owner-reported narrative. 63,238 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005954 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, THEN THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CLOCK SPRING. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005954 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
96V026000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Reported: 1996-02-05 (February 5, 1996)
AN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS CAN SHORT CIRCUIT DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION TUBE..
Consequence: SHORTING OF THE WIRING HARNESS CAN CAUSE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS, INCLUDING ENGINE STALLING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROPERLY AND ANY WIRE THAT HAS BEEN DAMAGED WILL BE REPLACED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
Reported: 1996-05-03 (May 3, 1996)
THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT(S) WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT PRIOR TO PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗