1996 Dodge Neon: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 611 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (49% of complaints); the 1998 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 611 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My headlights are too low. Hard for me to see. Especially when going around a corner, I can't see far enough ahead. Afraid of wrecking. I tried cleaning the outside headlights thinking they may have a film on them, but it didn't help. If their are no reflective markers on the road it is very hard to see the white line.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge neon. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who performed a tune-up however, the failure recurred three times. The dealer replaced the emission coil and alternator belt as a repair. The contact was later driving 40 mph when the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the timing belt needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge neon. The contact was driving 25 mph when the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had to coast to the side of the road and have the vehicle towed to a local mechanic. The mechanic noticed that a faulty wiring harness was the cause of the vehicle stalling and advised that it would need replacing. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 96v026000 ( electrical system:wiring:front underhood). The contact was advised by the manufacturer that there were no recalls. The failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact was servicing a 1996 dodge neon. The vehicle was parked out front of an independent repair shop with the engine turned on when the shifter independently shifted out of park and into reverse. The vehicle travelled approximately eight miles onto the highway at a slow speed. The mechanic chased after the moving vehicle and was eventually able to open the front driver side door and enter the vehicle. The brakes were immediately engaged to stop the vehicle. There were no injuries. The vehicle was driven back to the independent repair shop where the shifter cable was replaced. The failure mileage was 137,537.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2011
“My car was driving very shaky and the alignment was off significantly. This lasted approximately two days before my front left tire blew up in front of my residence which caused the left frame to pop out. The front left tire was a firestone supreme si p185-65r14 m+s. I also have a right front tire of the same tire brand and model that has significant tread wear, which causes me great concern. *tr”Owner report · Tires · May 2008
“I have a 1996 dodge neon that keeps blowing fuel pump fuses when shifting to 3rd gear. It is an electrical short that I found in same vehicle made few months sooner july through november car in 1995 through 1996 I feel this is still happening my car is at risk to catch fire. Would greatly appreciate if this could be resolve and checked out. Thank you. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2007
“Tl* - the contact owns a 1996 dodge neon. The contact stated that the paint on the vehicle was chipping on the trunk of the vehicle. The contact stated that every 1996 white dodge neon that she saw had the same problem with the paint chipping on the trunk of the vehicle. The failure and current mileage were both 132,000 . *ak”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2007
“Tl* - the contact stated that she has replaced her brakes lights ten times on her 1996 dodge neon. She has taken the vehicle into the dealership once to have repairs done yet the failure recurred. The vehicle has an odometer reading of 74000. *nm”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2006
“This problem has been continuous. The problem I am having with my 1996 dodge neon has also been identified within this same year and model car and a recall was issued, however my car did not come from the same plant as the recalled neons. This does not change the fact that the same problem has been identified in the same product!! The dodge dealership said they would not honor the recall for my neon. Is there anything I can do about this? *nm”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2005
“The consumer stated while approaching a stop vehicle idled/slowed down, and died. The consumer had to restart it. This happened continuously. The consumer had taken the vehicle to several dealers, and they could not resolve the problem. The consumer stated that one dealer charged him $700.00 for repairs, but it did not fix the problem. *ak *sc”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 46 of these complaints and injuries in 32 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.
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 NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
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.
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.
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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
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.
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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
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.
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.
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Neon by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Dodge Neon reliable?
NHTSA has 611 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Dodge Neon. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (49% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Dodge Neon problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 81,500 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Dodge Neon have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.