1999 Dodge Neon

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 116 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 4 times.

Avoid One of the Dodge Neon years to avoid: an unusual share of fires, crashes and deaths for a car of its age. Which Dodge Neon years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
60,000 milesMedian miles at failure

30 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.

Most common 1999 Dodge Neon problems

53 of the 116 complaints (46%) are about the engine.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine · engine39
000
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags7
707
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine6
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission5
000
Suspension4
101
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline · engine4
010
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly3
000
Air Bags · airbags3
202
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System2
001
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration2
100

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. 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.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Exterior Lighting06E049000
Filed May 24, 200627,176 vehiclesCk Motorsport, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

All 4 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Sep 2, 2018GA

RECENTLY BOUGHT A 99 DODGE NEON. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AS WHOLE WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND OFTENTIMES THE SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK EVEN WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THE THE COLD SODERS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE TO BLAME, AND ARE BAD ON MOST CHRYSLER VEHICLES FROM THIS ERROR. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 8, 2018102,000 milesWV

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND IS STAYING ON AT ALL TIMES. ALSO THE HORN DOES NOT WORK THROUGH THE COLUMN.

Structure
Filed May 7, 2014235,500 milesMA

ON 5/614, I NOTICED A SHREDDED PIECE OF PLASTIC FROM A BLUE TARP WAS UNDER MY 1999 DODGE NEON. APPARENTLY IT HAD BLOWN UNDER THE CAR BY THE WIND. I PULLED THE PLASTIC PIECE OUT FROM UNDER MY CAR, AND IN SO DOING I HEARD A DISTINCT "TWANG" NOISE. CURIOUS, I KNELT DOWN AND PEERED UNDER THE CAR AND WAS HORRIFIED TO SEE ONE OF THE METAL STRAPS THAT HOLDS THE FUEL TANK UP WAS BROKEN DUE TO CORROSION. ONE SECTION WAS HANGING DOWN SEVERAL INCHES, BUT NOT LONG ENOUGH TO REACH THE GROUND. THERE ARE TWO STRAPS THAT HOLD THE TANK IN PLACE, THE SECOND STRAP IS ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY RUSTED BUT STILL APPEARS TO BE INTACT WITH NO APPARENT VISIBLE RUST-THROUGH. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SERIOUS ISSUE. IF BOTH STRAPS LET GO THERE IS NOTHING TO HOLD THE TANK UP WHICH WOULD RESULT IN THE TANK DROPPING TO THE ROAD WITH THE END RESULT BEING AN ABSOLUTE DISASTER. IF IT WASN'T FOR A WIND BLOWN, 3 FOOT LONG PIECE OF SHREDDED PLASTIC GETTING SNAGGED ON MY FUEL TANK STRAP, I MOST LIKELY WOULD NEVER HAVE KNOWN THERE TO BE A PROBLEM. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THIS HASN'T ALREADY HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members1 injured
Filed Jan 20, 2010CA

A 20" AREA ON RIGHT-HAND SIDE BETWEEN WINDSHIELD AND DOOR WINDOW WITH MIRROR OBSTRUCTING VIEW FROM DRIVER WHOSE SEAT IS FORWARD BECAUSE OF HEIGHT. *TR

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed May 15, 2008CA

I HAVE A DODGE NEON WHICH KEEPS STALLING IN TRAFFIC. IT KEEPS BLOWING FUSES. IT IS 1999 MODEL. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Aug 22, 2006134,000 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS NOTICED. UPON INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL LINE INTO THE FUEL RAIL HAD DEVELOPED SEVERAL PIN HOLE LEAKS. GASOLINE WAS SPRAYING OUT INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 10, 200543,950 milesWI

I PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW AND IT CURRENTLY HAS 44,000 MILES. ENGINE NOW LEAKS LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL, SO BADLY THAT I AM ADDING 1-2 QUARTS 3 TIMES A WEEK. PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE THE HEAD GASKET AND ESTIMATES FOR REPAIR RANGE FROM 700-1200.00. HOW CAN SUCH A LARGE COMPANY SCAM SO MANY INNOCENT CONSUMERS AND NOTHING BE DONE???????*AK

Steering › Column Locking › Anti-theft Device
Filed Dec 14, 200413,000 milesNY

WHEN DRIVING THROUGH RAIN OR THROUGH A PUDDLE THE STEERING GOES OUT AND LOCKS UP. WHEN THE DRIVER IS TRYING TO TURN LEFT VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO GO RIGHT. ALSO, THERE IS AN OIL LEAK. IT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED FROM WHERE THE LEAK ORIGINATED. THE VEHICLE IS LOSING ABOUT 2 QUARTS PER DAY. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ARE COVERED WITH OIL, BUT THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DETECT THE OIL LEAK. *AK

SteeringCrash
Filed Nov 7, 200461,390 milesNY

1999 DODGE NEON SPORT - STEERING LOCKS UP UNDER VEHICLE MOTION, SEEMS TO PULL CAR TO THE SIDE. HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE MOST RECENT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. WHILE TRAVELING ON A CLEAR, DRY DAY AT HIGHWAY SPEED (55 MPH+), A LANE CHANGE FROM THE RIGHT TO PASSING LANE WAS ATTEMPTED. AS THE VEHICLE WAS STEERED INTO THE LEFT LANE, THE STEERING LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK TO THE RIGHT. IN AN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR, THE STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME UNLOCKED, CAUSING OVER CORRECTION. NOW THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING HARD LEFT, CORRECTION ATTEMPT BACK TO THE RIGHT CAUSED VEHICLE TO SPIN UNCONTROLLABLY, CROSSING 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC, LEAVING THE ROADWAY, PASSING BETWEEN 2 METAL LIGHT POLES, AND STOPPING IN A DITCH. NO INJURIES, COLLISIONS WITH OTHER VEHICLES OR OBJECTS, OR MAJOR VEHICLE DAMAGE OCCURRED. VEHICLE WAS REMOVED FROM DITCH BY A TOW-TRUCK AND WAS DRIVEN HOME. CHECK OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM REVEALS FULL FLUID LEVEL, BELTS SEEM TIGHT, NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS SEEN. WILL HAVE VEHICLE EVALUATED BY MECHANIC ASAP. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 7, 2004CA

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE NEON. ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO I NOTICED AN OIL LEAK. IT KEPT GETTING WORSE TO WHERE I WAS PUTTING IN A QUART OF OIL A WEEK. ESTIMATES TO HAVE IT FIXED WERE VERY EXPENSIVE. I FINALLY DECIDED TO HAVE IT FIXED TWO WEEKS AGO BECAUSE I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS CAR. THE LEAK WAS DUE TO A GASKET PROBLEM AND IT COST ME ALMOST $1000.00 TO REPLACE IT. MY CAR IS ONLY FOR YEARS OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON IT, THIS SHOULD NOT OCCUR IN A CAR OF THIS AGE. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER NEON OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, I FEEL THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THIS PART. DODGE/ CHRYSLER SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *NM

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Aug 12, 200456,407 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING/POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND HAD BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON BOTH SIDES REPLACED. *AK THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUE FOR THIS FAILURE (RECALL 99V-114). THE CONSUMER CONTACTED BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *NM

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Jul 16, 200459,990 milesMI

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE NEON. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN MAY 2002 AT BRUCE CAMPBELL DODGE IN REDFORD, MICHIGAN. MY SUNROOF WENT OUT IN SEPTEMBER 2002. AFTER ARGUING WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER, THEY REPLACED THE SWITCH (OR THE WIRES). I HAVE THE POWERTRAIN EXTENDED WARRANTY (ADDED CARE). THE NEXT OCCURENCE (MAY, 2004) WAS WHEN I KEPT HEARING NOISE IN MY DRIVER WHEEL AREA. I TOOK MY CARE TO BRUCE CAMPBELL TO CHECK 3 TIMES, THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. AFTER THE 3RD TIME, I TOOK IT TO BIRMINGHAM CHRYSLER AND ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT IT AND THEY TOLD ME THE CYLINDER WAS CRACKED. I WAS GRATEFUL THAT MY WARRANTY COVERED THAT PROBLEM (I WAS WITHOUT MY CAR FOR 2 WEEKS). I STILL HAVE A TREMBLE IN MY STEERING WHEEL WHEN I REACH THE SPEEDS OF 50 TO 70 MPH. I HAVE PURCHASED NEW WHEELS, RIMS, AND HAVE HAD MY TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED IN MAY, 2004, BUT I STILL HAVE ISSUES WITH THE TREMBLING. I'M TOLD THAT THE CAR IS SUPPOSED TO DRIVE THAT WAY. I'VE HAD A '93 PLYMOUTH COLT THAT DROVE BETTER. MY 3RD OCCURENCE IS NOW MY SUNROOF HAS WENT OUT AGAIN. I JUST SPENT $70.00 AT BIRMINGHAM CHRYSLER TO DIAGNOSIS THAT THE WIRE ARE BROKEN AND IT'LL COST MY AROUND $1,000 TO FIX IT. MY WARRANTY COVERS SUNROOFS FOR SWITCH PROBLEMS, BUT NOT WIRING. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO BE SPENDING ON REPAIRS WHEN I HAVE 3 MORE YEARS OF PAYING CAR NOTES. THE REASON I BOUGHT THIS PARTICULAR CAR WAS BECAUSE OF THE SUNROOF. I HAVE HAD 3 CHRYSLER CARS AND NO BREAK FROM REPAIR SHOPS. I NEED SUGGESTIONS. *AK THANK YOU.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 3, 200454,035 milesOH

IN THE LAST 21/2 YEARS I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OIL LEAKS ALL PERTAINING TO A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AND NOW I HAVE A HESITATION WHEN I GO TO TAKE OFF. MY RPM GAUGE NEVER GOES BELOW 6. I HAVE DUMPED SEVERAL BOTTLES OF GAS TREATMENT IN THE CAR ON THE ADVICE OF A TECHNICIAN BUT THAT DOES NOT WORK. IT IS ALMOST LIKE A KINK IN A RUBBERBAND. WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS THGE RPM GAUGE GOES TO 8 AND STAYS THERE UNTIL YOU EASE UP ON THE GAS. THEN THE CAR SHOTTS FORWARD AND THE RPM GAUGE GOES TO 6. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER 1999 4-CYLINDER CARS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 13, 200468,180 milesTX

I WAS DRIVING HOME ON AN INTERSTATE FROM WORK WHEN THERE WAS A POP FROM BENEATH THE HOOD AND THE CAR BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC IN THE MORNING AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN AND WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $700 TO REPAIR. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IT WAS UNCOMMON FOR A HEAD GASKET TO FAIL AT 68,000 MILES AND THAT ALL THE ENGINE'S FLUIDS WOULD NEED TO BE CHANGED. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND HAVE NOTICED THAT NOW IT CONSUMES AROUND 1 QUART OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES(3,000 MI). *AK

Suspension
Filed Jun 3, 2004OH

WHILE DRIVING THE LEFT FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED. *MR THE CONSUMER ENTERED A PARKING LOT AREA AT A LOW ACCEPTABLE SPEED WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE ENTIRE FRONT AXLE AND SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY FELL. THE AXLE DISENGAGED FROM THE DRIVE UNIT, THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY WAS AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE TO NORMAL POSITION. *SC *JB

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Apr 8, 20042,800 milesGA

WHEN IT RAINS MY POWER STEERING AND BRAKING WITH GO OUT ON ME. I HAVE HAD ALL BRAKES AND BELTS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. UNABLE TO DRIVE CAR WHEN IT IS RAINING. VERY UNSAFE!!!*AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Mar 18, 200482,000 milesMS

DODGE NEON 1999 4DR CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER HOOD AND BURNT UP IS THERE A REPORTED PROBLEM WITH THIS . *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 5, 2004WA

MAJOR OIL LEAK. HAD TO REPLACE VAVLE COVER AND MAIN SEAL. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Feb 25, 200460,000 milesVA

BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAD A GLAZE, ALMOST OPAQUE, CAUSING EXTREMELY REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING THE NIGHT, AND OBSTRUCTING CONSUMER'S VIEW WHILE DRIVING. *AK

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Feb 24, 2004IL

WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH SUN ROOF OPENED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. SUN ROOF HINGES BROKE OFF, CAUSING SUN ROOF TO BLOW OUT.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 22, 2004FL

ON MY 1999 DOGE NEON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND MY CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC AT A STOP LIGHT I WAS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE AGAIN AND TOOK THE CAR TO TUFFY AUTO CENTER WHERE HE DIAG THE CAR AND REPORTED TO ME IT WAS THE CAM SENSOR AND THAT HE WOULD ORDER ANOTHER ONE, THE SENSOR ARRIVED AND HE ATTEMPTED TO IN THIS ONE AND COULDN'T BECAUSE THE CAM SENSOR HE HAD WAS FLUSH AND THE ONE HE REMOVED WAS RECESSED. HE CALLED AROUND TO FIND THIS RECESSED CAM SENSOR AND COULD NOT LOCATE ONE , BUT DID FIND OUT THAT THE COMMON PROBLEM IS THAT THE CAM ITSELF BACK OUT OF THE ENGINE AND DAMAGES THE SENSOR CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL AND NEEDS TO BE BACKED DOWN INTO THE ENGINE AND WILL IN 40K OR LESS MILES DO IT AGAIN THIS IS AN ENGINE DEFECT THAT IS COSTLY AND ME $150 TO REPAIR. THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT FOR REEMBURSTMENT AND RECALL FOR REPAIR THIS IS STATED AS COMMON AMONG MECHANICS, WHAT CAN BE DONE???

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine5 killed
Filed Jan 20, 2004FL

I PURCHASED THIS DODGE NEON VEHICLE FROM DODGE DEALER ST. MTN GA IN AUG 1999-WHO TRANSOUTH MORTGAGE CORP WAS THE 2ND LENDER 6533 FLYING CLOUD DR EDEN PRAIRIE MN 55344 AND BOUGHT THE ACCOUNT BEFORE I COULD MAKE MY FIRST PAYMENT. PLUS DODGE LIED ON THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT AND SAID I PAID DOWN SO MUCH MONEY WHEN I DIDNT AND I HAD ONLY A TRADE IN A, FORD ESORT. I TOOK THE CAR TO MECHANICS WHO SAID THE ENGINE IS NO GOOD, LIKE THE CAR HAD SAT IN A CANEL. I ASK THEM TO COME GET THE CAR AND THEY REFUSED. THEY TOLD ME THE BANK WILL CONTACT ME TO APPROVE THE LOAN WE NEVER SPOKE. WE KEPT MISSING EACH OTHER CALL. THEN WHEN I MOVED TO FL 2001 THEY WANTED TO PICK UP THE CAR THEN WHICH THEY DID BY 3/02. IN TURN THEY SOLD THE CAR FOR WHAT I DONT KNOW. THE DEFICIENCY IS 11,703.42 AFTER I PAID 360 PER MTH OVER 9K. AND NOW THEY SENT IT TO COLLECTIONS AGENCY WHICH I SENT DISPUTE LETTERS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 15, 200461,000 milesMA

SINCE OWNING THIS CAR I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM 0 TO 36,000 MILES MOST WERE MINOR AND WERE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE DEALER (ALTHOUGHI HAD TO TELL THEM WHAT WAS WRONG - THEY REPLACED THE WRONG PARTS THE FIRST TIME!). UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF THE PROBLEMS OCCURED AFTER 36,000 MILES WERE ON THE ODOMETER AND CHRYSLER HAS NOT BEEN TOO RESPONSIVE TO MY REQUESTS FOR ASSISTNACE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO FIX IT BUT WHO WANTS TO PAY $75.00 SO THAT A TECHNICIAN CAN LEARN TO FIX MY CAR. IN FRUSTRATION, I HAVE PURCHASED A SHOP MANUAL AND HAVE STARTED TO REPAIR THESE PROBLEMS MYSELF. MY SUN ROOF NEEDS A 10 CENT PLASTIC PART WHICH CHRYSLER DOES NOT STOCK SO IN ORDER TO GET IT I NEED A NEW $500 SUNROOF MECHANISM! NOW, MY TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY (IN ALL GEARS) AND I EITHER NEED TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION, REPLACE THE CLUTCH OR THE CLUTCH CABLE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATOIN ON MY SAGA PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME.

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Jan 15, 200444,000 milesOH

I CAN NOT GIVE EXACT DATES BUT HAVE ALL SERVICE BILLS. I HAD THE HEAD GASKET CHANGED WHEN IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE AIR COMPRESSOR IS BAD AND NOW MY STRUTS ARE BAD ALL AT 44 THOUSAND MILES. ALL THE TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WERE REPLACED WAY BEFORE THE WARRANTY. I HAD MIDAS PUT MY NEW BRAKES ON SO I DON'T HAVE TO KEEP GOING BACK AND REPLACING THEM THROUGH SPIZTER DODGE. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I EVER HAD AND I HAD A YUGO THAT SAYS ALOT

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 15, 200424,000 milesNV

SINCE ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER GETTING MY 1999 DODGE NEON I STARTED HAVING DIFFICULITES WITH IT.RANGING FROM LIGHTS COMMING ON AND OFF INSIDE AND ROUGH IDLE.THENTHEN WHEN THE WIRING ISSUE WAS PRESENTED FOR LEFT TURN SIGNAL POPPING ON AND OFF AT WILL,AND THE WHOLE CAR JUST SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.STEERING WHELL LOCKING UP AND NO CONTROL OVER THE FUNCTIONS AT ALL THEN CAR WOULD NOT START.I KEPT TAKING IT IN AND ADDRESSING TO CRYSLER THAT THE MAIN ENGINE FUSE BY THE FIREWALL WAS BLOWING AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR THAT TO HAPPEN AND UPON INITIAL INSPECTION THEY FOUND THE WIRING HARNESS WARDED FROM THE HEAT OF THE FUSE BLOWING AND REPLACED FUSE AND SENT ME ON MY WAY FOR IT ONLY TO HAPPEN 3 MORE TIMES!AT THIS POINT THEY DOUBLE FUSED THE LINES AND NOW THE CHK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REGISTER MY CAR NOW WITH THAT LIGHT ON AND BECAUSE OF THAT IT FAILED SMOG!! NOW IAM STUCK WITH FINANCING ON A CAR THAT HAS TREMENDEOUS TROUBLE THAT EVERYONE CLAIMS DOESNT EXIST.PLEASE HELP!!!

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 15, 200490,000 milesFL

HAD CAR REPAIRED FOR A CRACKED HEAD GASKET AND CRACKED RADIATOR. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP WASN'T THERE A RECALL ON CRACKED GASKETS I WAS TOLD FOR THE 98 DODGE NEON. GOT NEW BRAKE PADS. THEY SQUEAL LOUD AND IT TAKES A LOT FOR CAR TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. HAD TO GET A NEW THERMOSTAT ON MY CAR BECAUSE IT KEPT RUNNING HOT. IF THEY REPLACED MY RADIATOR IN JAN 2003 WHY IS MY THERMOSTAT OUT. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL INDUCTOR REPLACED ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER THINGS.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 30, 200343,660 milesMD

THE VEHICLE'S HEAD GASKET FAILED AND CAUSED OIL TO LEAK. THE CONSUMER HAD TO REFILL THE VEHICLE WITH OIL OFTEN. THE DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM *MR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 5, 200334,000 milesOH

WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK TURNED THE CORNER CAR DOWN SHIFTED INTO 2ND GEAR AND WAS STUCK. THE BEARING CAME LOOSE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION.*JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 16, 200366,000 milesMT

HEAD GASKET FAILED. CHECKED REPAIR COSTS AT 7 DIFFERENT MECHANICS, INCLUDING DODGE DEALER ($650-$1000); ALL SEEMED VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. MANY DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO LOOK UP THE PRICE TO REPAIR, THEY KNEW IT OFF HAND. 4 DIFFERENT FAMILY/FRIENDS ALSO HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM. WAS TOLD BY DEALER TO WATCH FOR OIL LEAKING INTO COOLANT, AS THIS IS ANOTHER COMMON PROBLEM, WITH MORE DIRE CONSEQUENCES. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL ISSUE? *LA

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 8, 200386,000 milesNE

FAILURE OF BOTH AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 5, 2003MI

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION EXPLODED AND CAUSED A LOSS CONTROL. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE USED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK *SCC

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 28, 200353,682 milesOK

NOTICED OIL IN RADIATOR FLUID. TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKETS WERE CRACKED. REPAIRED AT A COST OF $1500. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY OF THE COST. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 53,000 MILES ON IT. I NEED ANY INFO ON HOW TO RECOUP MY MONEY FROM THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER.*AK

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 11, 2003MO

AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *LA

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 2, 200358,000 milesAL

HEAD GASKET: TOOK THE 1999 DODGE NEON TO A MECHANIC AFTER EXPRESS OIL NOTICED AN OIL LEAK. I ALWAYS HAVE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I HAD A WARPED HEAD GASKET AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 60,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS AND WONDER WHY DODGE WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL? MY BILL ENDED UP BEING $2000 BECAUSE THEY ALSO NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT WHICH SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE REPLACED UNTIL AFTER 90K MILES. *LA

Suspension
Filed Aug 1, 2003NY

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING STEERING WHEEL WILL VEER OFF LEFT TO RIGHT . *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 28, 2003NJ

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY ANTI LOCK BRAKES BRAKES WILL LOCK UP, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jul 8, 2003NJ

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT IN THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 3, 200346,000 milesWV

FLUID LEAKED UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS ONLY 46000 MILES ON THE CAR AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. *JB *CB *NLM

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Jun 6, 20033,000 milesGA

SUNROOF. BOUGHT CAR NEW IN 6/99; CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP 8 TIMES FOR PROBLEMS IN REFERENCE TO SUNROOF. SUNROOF REPLACED TWO TIMES SINCE PURCHASE OF CAR; SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. SUNROOF IS BARELY USED AND WAS JUST REPLACED IN JANUARY, 2002. ITS BEEN USED APPROX 10 TIMES AND NOW THE GEARS ARE STRIPPED YET AGAIN. SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE MECHANISM FOR THE CLOSING OF SUNROOF THAT CAUSES GEARS TO STRIP. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 7, 200318,000 milesOH

EXCESSIVE OIL LEAK FROM ENGINE. MAY BE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET OR OTHER GASKETS. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 30,000 MILES ON IT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ON RECALLS OR MANUFACTURERS SERVICE BULLETINS. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 30, 200363,125 milesAZ

ENGINE.HEADGASKET FAILURE MODERATE TO SEVERE OIL LEAKAGE

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 8, 200360,000 milesIN

OIL LEAK FROM THE HEAD GASKET OF MY DODGE NEON 1999. I KNOW THIS IS NOT THE ONLY NEON WITH THIS FACTORY PROBLEM; MY FAMILY MEMBERS OWN 3 NEONS ALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 18, 200372,000 milesIL

HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS BAD ON MY CAR THAT HAS HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES AND THESE ARE HIGHWAY MILES.TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NEONS

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 13, 2003MI

CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN OIL LEAK DUE TO THE OIL SEAL HAVING A CRACK IN IT.*JB *TS

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jan 8, 2003159,000 milesTX

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE'S ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUE TO STAY ON. DEALER STATED THAT VEHICLE NEEDS A LIGHT SENSOR BUT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Sep 6, 2002DE

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING CAR SHUTOFF AND SMELLED STRONG WIRE BURNING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 22, 2002VA

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT THEN SMOKE. DEALER DETERMINED HEADGASKET HAD BLOWN.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 27, 2002NC

ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT, CAUSING ENGINE TO LEAK. HAD PART REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 6, 2002CA

WHLE DRIVING AT 40-45 MPH VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE, AND SOME FLUIDS STARTED TO LEAK OUT. VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 13, 2002TX

WHILE DRIVING OIL IS LEAKING FROM VEHICLE.*AK

Complaints 1-50 of 116, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200596420Routine
200494530Routine
20032025201Fatalities reported
2002173630Routine
20011461015Fatalities reported
20003371162Fatalities reported
1999 — this page116445Fatalities reported
1998339630Above average
19973906120Above average
1996611750Above average
1995976115515Fatalities reported
19949000Routine
19933000Routine

Compare every Neon year →

Reading this record

5 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.