MYRModel Year Report

1996 Dodge Neon

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1996 Dodge Neon
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
611
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

60% of complaints

Complaints per year

1993: 3 complaints 1993 1994: 9 complaints 1995: 985 complaints 1996: 611 complaints 1996 611 1997: 390 complaints 1998: 339 complaints 1999: 116 complaints 1999 2000: 337 complaints 2001: 146 complaints 2001 2002: 173 complaints 2003: 202 complaints 2003 2004: 94 complaints 2005: 95 complaints 2005
1993: 3 complaints 1993 1994: 9 complaints 1994 1995: 985 complaints 1995 1996: 611 complaints 1996 611 1997: 390 complaints 1997 1998: 339 complaints 1998 1999: 116 complaints 1999 2000: 337 complaints 2000 2001: 146 complaints 2001 2002: 173 complaints 2002 2003: 202 complaints 2003 2004: 94 complaints 2004 2005: 95 complaints 2005
1993: 3 complaints 1993 1994: 9 complaints 1994 1995: 985 complaints 1995 1996: 611 complaints 1996 611 1997: 390 complaints 1997 1998: 339 complaints 1998 1999: 116 complaints 1999 2000: 337 complaints 2000 2001: 146 complaints 2001 2002: 173 complaints 2002 2003: 202 complaints 2003 2004: 94 complaints 2004 2005: 95 complaints 2005

1996: 611 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19933
19949
1995985
1996611
1997390
1998339
1999116
2000337
2001146
2002173
2003202
200494
200595

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

60% · 365 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

There was oil leaking from underneath vehicle. Also there was a loud noise in rear of wheel. Dealershipis aware of problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-17

Electrical system

17% · 105 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and wiring.

CRASHFIRE

Service brakes

16% · 100 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Power train

8% · 49 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

INJURY

Air bags

7% · 44 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

After rear ending the vehicle in dead center the frontal air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-09-13

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, 2003-03-06

During impact, driver and passenger's side air bags did not deploy. Please describe.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-04-29

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1996Complaint volume 611 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1996-03-17Electrical system96V026000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1996-06-10Service brakes, hydraulic96V075000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1998-02-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 1998-06-23 Underhood fires
  5. I
    2002-11-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-04-23 Safety belt cinching latch plate
  6. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2006-08-01Exterior lighting06E060000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Dodge Neon — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 365 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 105 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 100 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V026000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 96V075000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E060000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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, accounting for 60% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge Neon have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.