1997 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
- 390
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Engine and engine cooling
Campaigns on file for 1997
Opened by NHTSA
61% of complaints
Complaints per year
1997: 390 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 3 |
| 1994 | 9 |
| 1995 | 985 |
| 1996 | 611 |
| 1997 | 390 |
| 1998 | 339 |
| 1999 | 116 |
| 2000 | 337 |
| 2001 | 146 |
| 2002 | 173 |
| 2003 | 202 |
| 2004 | 94 |
| 2005 | 95 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine and engine cooling
61% · 239 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Service brakes
13% · 51 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Air bags
11% · 41 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.
Show complaint excerpts
Consumer stated her brakes failed. There was a multi-car accident on the beltway. As she approached she saw the truck in front of her apply his brakes, she then applied her brakes.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-07
Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic
Dual airbags did not deploy during total front end collision, driver lost control, vehicle crashed into a guard rail, Chrysler has determined not manufacturer's defect.
NHTSA ODI report, 1997-06-10
Was driving along approximately 40MPH,when vehicle ahead of me made a sudden stop and I ran into the back of the vehicle. Neither driver's or passenger's side air bags deployed. Vehicle is in for repairs.
NHTSA ODI report, 1997-03-12
Electrical system
9% · 36 reportsMost commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and alternator/generator/regulator.
Show complaint excerpts
Dashboard lights and gauges started to act funny and then it started to smoke. I got out of the car and it caught on fire and is a total lost.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-15
Power train
7% · 27 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1997Complaint volume 390 complaints filed for this model year.
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1997-07-15Air bags97V080000 The electrical circuit design allows the potential for an inadvertent air bag deployment upon vehicle ignition shut down.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module with a newly designed module.
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2002-11-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-04-23 Safety belt cinching latch plate
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Buy-smart checklist
1997 Dodge Neon — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine and engine cooling: 239 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 51 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 41 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 97V080000 · Air bags
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E060000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1997 Dodge Neon reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Dodge Neon is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 1997 Dodge Neon?
- The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 61% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1997 Dodge Neon have?
- 6 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.