1997 Dodge Neon: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 390 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (52% of complaints); the 1999 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 390 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I am having a lot of problems with my 1997 dodge neon. The steering wheel has nothing but clicks. I am having so much problems turning on my signal lights. The problem has gotten worse. I am hoping that this is a recall so I won't have to pay so much money out of pocket. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2013
“None of my vehicles have latch supported systems although all my carseats do. Is it still safe to use a carseat with just a seat belt? Can the vehicle manufacturers install the latch systems in my vehicles for free as this is a safety requirement for carseats? I cannot afford to pay for this myself or get a new vehicle. (related vehicle information: model year=1997, make=dodge, model=neon). *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2009
“I made a short trip to a local store and large amounts of smoke started coming from the front of my car. The car was overheating and I had to stop and pull over. The car had to be towed to the dealership. The car had a head gasket failure.which cost $920 to repair. Although the vehicle is old (1997), it only has 39,000 miles on it and it is ridiculous for something like this to happen to car with such low mileage. I have done quite a bit of research online to find that several neon owners have had this same problem. The 1995-1997 models have been predominantly affected by this problem. I contacted chrysler about this and they will take no responsibility for this. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“Safety/emissions reprt states recall on my vehicle/ defect number: dr-1158. The solid state fan relay may fail because of heat rellated electrical over stress causing the fan to stop and the vehicle to over heat. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2008
“Passenger side air bag randomly deployed, while going 4 miles per hour, there was no impact to initiate the deployment of airbag. The deployment busted out the passenger side airbag with such force that it blew glass to the complete other side of the vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 dodge neon. While placing fuel into the vehicle, the filler tube fell to the ground and caused gasoline to leak onto the ground. The dealer stated that there was no recall and the vehicle was taken to a repair shop. The mechanic stated that the filler tube had rusted out. The mechanic replaced the filler tube and the vehicle has been performing normally. The failure mileage was 120,000 and current mileage is 130,000. Updated 10/06/09 *bf updated 10/08/09”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2008
“Whenever I sit in the driveway, or look for a parking spaces, or sit in traffic...the car's temperature gage goes all the way to hot. I had it diagnosed and they said that its the fan control module or relay...basically the fans stop working. *tr I had a new water pump put in, a new thermostat, a new radiator put, and I"m beginning to think that all these problems are coming up when the fans stop working. It has 145000 miles on it, but I was told that is not a common think on this module. I'm going to get repaired, but I feel that this is a manufacturer issue. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 dodge neon. The headlights and high beams are very dim. The bulbs were replaced; however, the lights remained dim. Oil was placed in the vehicle, but then leaked onto the ground, causing the oil warning indicator light to illuminate intermittently. The contact noticed a grayish-colored smoke exiting the rear of the vehicle. The repair shop stated that the failure was caused by a blown head gasket. The failure mileage was 97,000 and current mileage was 140,301.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2007
“Tl*- the contact was exiting the parking complex while driving the 1997 dodge neon at 5 mph, when the airbags deployed without warning. This caused the windows on both doors to shatter, and the dashboard and air conditioner vents to come off. The vehicle did not strike or hit anything to cause the airbags to deploy. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause. The vehicle currently has 108000 miles. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2007
“Through the life of owning this car. I have had to replace the head gasket several times 3 times in last 2 years alone and replace the engine. The head gasket still leaks and no one can seem to fix it even the dealer. I have talked to other people that have neons and they are experiencing the same exact head gasket problem. Why hasn't there been a recall for this. This is an extremely costly repair. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 44 of these complaints and injuries in 28 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 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 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.
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.
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 1997 Dodge Neon reliable?
NHTSA has 390 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Dodge Neon. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (52% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Dodge Neon problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 62,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Dodge Neon have open recalls?
6 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.