MYRModel Year Report

1998 Dodge Neon

◆ Worse than typical
1998 Dodge Neon
BUILT 2026-09-02

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge Neon Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1993: 3 complaints 1993 1994: 9 complaints 1995: 985 complaints 1995 1996: 611 complaints 1997: 390 complaints 1997 1998: 339 complaints 1998 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
1998: 339 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 62%

62% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 209 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASH
AIR BAGS 10%

10% of complaints: air bags — 34 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20151105

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, 20140811

1998 DODGE NEON HAVE HAD SEVERAL WRECKS AND MY AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030920

STRUCTURE 7%

7% of complaints: structure — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing trunk lid and body.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER HAS A HEAD INJURY DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE TRUNK, THERE IS NOTHING TO HOLD THE TRUNK UP. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19980903

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: electrical system — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and interior/under dash.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19981216

POWER TRAIN 6%

6% of complaints: power train — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle shaft.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1998 — complaint volume: 339
R 19990202 — structure

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.

Campaign 99V001000 — 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

1998 Dodge Neon — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (209 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (34 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 99V001000 (structure) 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 ■ 1997

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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.