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1997 Dodge NeonProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 390 owner complaints about the 1997 Dodge Neon, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

37
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.7× the Neon median · #4 of 11 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints39080 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage55kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 1, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Dodge Neon has problems

390 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 cooling2226
Service brakes, hydraulic4411
Air bags4134
Electrical system336
Power train263
Structure241
Seat belts176
Steering152
Exterior lighting122
11 other systems606

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1997 Dodge Neon recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

55kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 23 engine and engine cooling complaints. 96% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 9% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
2under 30k miles22under 100k miles1100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Engine and engine cooling

11 owners mentioned a cost

$600median

Middle half: $300 – $863

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Neon year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Neon median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Dodge Neon safety ratings

1997 Dodge Neon 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Dodge Neon, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATEPE02082 · closed Apr 23, 2003
    No recall
In owners' words

What Neon owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10258833 · Feb 16, 2009 · 39,000 miles
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
Complaint 10250099 · Nov 28, 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…
Complaint 10224850 · Apr 17, 2008 · 144,000 miles

Own a 1997 Neon?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.