1996 Dodge Neon
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 3 |
| 1994 | 9 |
| 1995 | 976 |
| 1996 | 611 |
| 1997 | 390 |
| 1998 | 339 |
| 1999 | 116 |
| 2000 | 337 |
| 2001 | 146 |
| 2002 | 173 |
| 2003 | 202 |
| 2004 | 94 |
| 2005 | 95 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
40% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 245 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. ALSO THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN REAR OF WHEEL. DEALERSHIPIS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20020917
13% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 82 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE6% of complaints: air bags — 36 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
AFTER REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN DEAD CENTER THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20040913
IN AUGUST OF 1999, DUE TO A HEALTH PROBLEM (UNKNOWN TO ME), I FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL OF MY 1996 NEON. I AWOKE IN TIME TO FORCE THE CAR OVER TO A GRASSY MEDIAN BETWEEN TWO PARTS OF A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030306
DURING IMPACT, DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19960429
5% of complaints: power train — 28 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: electrical system — 28 distinct reports on file.
FIRESAFETY TIMELINE
AN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS CAN SHORT CIRCUIT DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION TUBE..
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROPERLY AND ANY WIRE THAT HAS BEEN DAMAGED WILL BE REPLACED.
Campaign 96V026000 — check if this car was fixed
THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.
Campaign 96V075000 — check if this car was fixed
UNDERHOOD FIRES
SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE N
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE RE
Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
Campaign 06E060000 — check if this car was fixed
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1996 Dodge Neon — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (245 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (82 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (36 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 96V026000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V075000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E060000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1996 Dodge Neon reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Dodge Neon is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Dodge Neon?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:engine, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge Neon have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.