1998 Dodge Neon
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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
- 339
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Engine and engine cooling
Campaigns on file for 1998
Opened by NHTSA
62% of complaints
Complaints per year
1998: 339 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
62% · 209 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Air bags
10% · 34 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and side/window.
Show complaint excerpts
I had an car wreck in my 1998 Dodge Neon (Blue) in November 24,2002 due to the breaks & the tires & the air bag did not come out when I wreck & I got stuck in my seat belt out the car wreck & then I had another 1999 Dodge Neon (White) & I had car...
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-11-05
Also filed under Service brakes
1998 Dodge Neon was forced off the roadway by a Mitsubishi eclipse that turned across 19 year old female drivers lane of travel.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-08-11
1998 Dodge Neon have had several wrecks and my air bags never deployed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-09-20
Structure
7% · 23 reportsMost commonly citing trunk lid and body.
Show complaint excerpts
Consumer has a head injury due to the design of the trunk, there is nothing to hold the trunk up.
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-09-03
Electrical system
6% · 22 reportsMost commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and interior/under dash.
Show complaint excerpts
Consumer was approx. 60MPH in the slow lane when a 18 wheeler crossed over the line and side swiped vehicle. Consumer was not able to give warning to driver due to the horn would not operating properly.
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-12-16
Power train
6% · 20 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and axle shaft.
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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1998Complaint volume 339 complaints filed for this model year.
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1999-02-02Structure99V001000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The rear suspension crossmember may be missing spot welds.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for any missing welds, and will have structural rivets installed in place of the missing welds.
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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
1998 Dodge Neon — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine and engine cooling: 209 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 34 reports on file for this year.
- Structure: 23 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 99V001000 · Structure
- 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 1998 Dodge Neon reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Dodge Neon is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1998 Dodge Neon?
- The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 62% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1998 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.