1998 Dodge Neon: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 339 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (55% 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 339 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Motor/transmission mount replacement,4-5 times,will not hold. Egrvalve replacement ,engine light keeps saying it need to be replaced even after it has been replaced and light cleared. 4-5 times .both are now on going. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge neon. The contact stated that the speedometer and fuel gauge only functioned on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,397. ..updated 05/15/12 * bf updated 05/21/12”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge neon. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the technician stated that the fuel pump would have to be replaced. The fuel pump was replaced three different times. The failure continued after the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“I have a 1998 neon and water is coming thou the lights into car on floor I have seen many complaints about same defect on not just my year but newer modules this is a mold issue and I like many have allege to mold and can trigger a asthma attack that can kill use I asked the dealers to fix but they say its not a recall I will have to pay for repair in order to stop the leak so whose paying my hospital visit when I have my asthma attack and I have to go on a ventilator death is not a option why cant they fix it for free. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Electric · Mar 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 dodge neon. While driving 30 mph, the contact could not stop the vehicle when the brakes were applied. The vehicle was inspected and a rusted brake line was discovered, which squirted brake fluid everywhere. This was the first time this failure occurred. The road conditions were not a factor. The vehicle was not repaired before or after the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 dodge neon. The speedometer isnt operating normally and doesn't display the speed; however, if you tap on the dashboard it began operating normally. The inoperable speedometer is a safety issue since it doesn't display the correct speed. The heat gauge also failed to show the proper temperature, displayed over heating and failed to work properly. The noise from the heating system is also a distraction and a safety risk. The current mileage was 137,000 and the failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2008
“Trunk full of water - trunk & light seals are bad - why hasn't there been a recall on this safety feature? Lights have to work and mold is deadly! *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2006
“Complete speedometer failure while vehicle is being driven. Loss of all data regarding speed vehicle is traveling, and at times, all information from the engine temperature gauge and fuel gauge. Issues with neon speedometers are widely published on the internet. I am shocked to see that there has never been a recall for such a well documented vehicle failure. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2006
“Dt: the contact's daughter was involved in a car accident on october 7, 2005. Upon impact, the front air bags did not deploy. This was front end collision. Has not contacted the manufacturer at this point. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2005
“I have a 98 dodge neon. The car grinds in the front end even with new brakes. I cant not drive throw water or the car will die. Going over a speed bump at the recommended speed the front end will bottom out. I had a friend look at the car. And he said it looked fine. The brake spec. Didn't see any thing and I noticed I had two different tires on the front then the back because of the front end. Please if you find out any thing on this car it would be much obliged. *nm”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 43 of these complaints and injuries in 46 - 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.
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.
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.
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 1998 Dodge Neon reliable?
NHTSA has 339 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Dodge Neon. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (55% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Neon problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 62,939 miles or less.
Does the 1998 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.