MYRModel Year Report

1997 Dodge Neon

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Dodge Neon
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge Neon Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1993: 3 complaints 1993 1994: 9 complaints 1995: 976 complaints 1995 1996: 611 complaints 1997: 390 complaints 1997 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
1997: 390 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19933
19949
1995976
1996611
1997390
1998339
1999116
2000337
2001146
2002173
2003202
200494
200595

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 38%

38% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 148 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%

12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 45 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
AIR BAGS 8%

8% of complaints: air bags — 31 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20030807

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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970610

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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970312

POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 21 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 4%

4% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 17 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1997 — complaint volume: 390
R 19970715 — air bags

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.

Campaign 97V080000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20021106 — PE (closed 20030423)

SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

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

R 20060801 — exterior lighting

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

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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

1997 Dodge Neon — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (148 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (45 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (31 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97V080000 (air bags) 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.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2004 ▲ 2005 ▲ 1999

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1996 ◆ 2000

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:engine, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Dodge Neon have?

6 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.