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Dodge NeonYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 3,480 NHTSA owner complaints across 11 model years, the Dodge Neon years to avoid are 1995, and the strongest years are 1999, 2002, 2004 and 2005. The Neon has 16 safety recalls on record.

Dodge Neon
Years to avoid'95Use caution: 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000Best years'99 '02 '04 '05Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints3,480Top: Engine and engine coolingSafety recalls161995–2005 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Best & worst years

Dodge Neon years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Neon median. Tap a year for its full report.

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2005Solid65/10096 complaints · 0 recalls2004Solid67/10094 complaints · 0 recalls2003Solid50/100202 complaints · 0 recalls2002Solid56/100173 complaints · 0 recalls2001Solid55/100146 complaints · 4 recalls2000Caution36/100337 complaints · 5 recalls1999Solid63/100116 complaints · 0 recalls1998Caution39/100339 complaints · 1 recall1997Caution37/100390 complaints · 1 recall1996Caution30/100611 complaints · 2 recalls1995Avoid17/100976 complaints · 6 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Dodge Neon problems

All model years combined: 3,480 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling126139
Service brakes, hydraulic48985
Electrical system45070
Air bags414334
Power train33321
Steering24448
Structure19015
Exterior lighting16419
Vehicle speed control15128
20 other systems772137
16 recalls

Dodge Neon recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Power assist: vacuum01V-154 · 2000–2001 · May 8, 2001 · 353,000 vehicles–Other: labels01V-039 · 2001 · Feb 12, 2001 · 137 vehicles–Other: labels00V-415 · 2001 · Dec 12, 2000 · 1,504 vehicles–Child seat00V-366 · 2000–2001 · Nov 9, 2000 · 1,211,756 vehicles–Vehicle speed control00V-194 · 2000 · Jul 17, 2000 · 263,000 vehicles–Control arm: lower arm99V-114 · 2000 · May 6, 1999 · 744 vehicles–Air bags: frontal99V-043 · 2000 · Mar 11, 1999 · 488 vehicles–Structure: body99V-001 · 1998 · Jan 7, 1999 · 3,683 vehicles–Steering: steering wheel/handle bar97V-169 · 1995 · Oct 7, 1997 · 375,000 vehicles–Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive97V-080 · 1997 · May 16, 1997 · 125,000 vehicles–Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings96V-228 · 1995 · Nov 18, 1996 · 180,000 vehicles–Foundation components: master cylinder96V-075 · 1995–1996 · May 3, 1996 · 151,800 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 16 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

12 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Neon

  1. HEADLIGHT FAILUREEA06019 · 2002–2003 · closed Nov 7, 2007
    No recall
  2. HEADLIGHT FAILUREPE06028 · 2002–2003 · closed Nov 22, 2006
    No recall
  3. STEERING COLUMN SEPARATIONDP03002 · 1993–1995 · closed Jul 22, 2003
    No recall
  4. SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATEPE02082 · 1995–2003 · closed Apr 23, 2003
    No recall
  5. CONTROL ARM WELDSRQ99010 · 2000 · closed Feb 5, 2001
    Led to recall 99V-114
  6. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE98012 · 1995–1996 · closed Jun 23, 1998
    No recall
  7. OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTSEA98003 · 1995 · closed Jan 5, 2000
    No recall
  8. OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTPE97042 · 1995 · closed Jan 30, 1998
    No recall
  9. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROLEA97009 · 1995 · closed Oct 8, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-169
  10. ALLEGED FIRES IN STEERING COLUMN AREAPE97007 · 1995 · closed Apr 7, 1997
    No recall