1996 Dodge Neon Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1996 Dodge Neon recalls

Most common 1996 Dodge Neon problems

Problem areas named in the 611 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Engine And Engine Cooling	374
Electrical System	105
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	103
Power Train	49
Air Bags	45
Unknown Or Other	37
Structure	25
Steering	24
Visibility	20
Exterior Lighting	19

What owners report

2015-06-27, Exterior Lighting
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.

2014-03-11, Engine
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.

2011-08-22, Electrical System
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.

2011-06-03, Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL BRAKING FUNCTION WAS LOST WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. SHE STATED THAT IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE SHE HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROTORS, BRAKE PADS, SHOES, REAR BRAKE DRUMS, AND TWO REAR FLEX LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, WIRING HARNESS, SPEED SENSOR, COIL, VALVE COVER GASKETS AND TIMING BELT ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.

2011-05-24, Power Train
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.

1996 Dodge Neon questions

Does the 1996 Dodge Neon have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 1996 Dodge Neon: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Dodge Neon?

Based on 611 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine And Engine Cooling (374), Electrical System (105), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (103).

How do I check if a recall on my 1996 Dodge Neon has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.