Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 96 | −70% | — | Engine | Good |
| 2004 | 94 | −66% | — | Engine | Good |
| 2003 | 202 | −21% | — | Electrical | Average |
| 2002 | 173 | −40% | — | Transmission | Good |
| 2001 | 146 | −45% | 4 | Airbag | Good |
| 2000 | 337 | 1.9× | 5 | Airbag | Caution |
| 1999 | 116 | −54% | — | Engine | Good |
| 1998 | 339 | 2.0× | 1 | Engine | Avoid |
| 1997 | 390 | 2.3× | 1 | Engine | Avoid |
| 1996 | 611 | 3.6× | 2 | Engine | Avoid |
| 1995 | 976 | 5.8× | 6 | Engine | Avoid |
* Complaints compared with the median Neon year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Dodge Neon problems
Latest Dodge Neon recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. In the presence of oil and heat, the brake booster vacuum hose could swell and loosen from the intake manifold.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum hose. Owner notification began July 2, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within…
Equipment › Other › Labels
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles built with 15" wheels, equipped with an r/t package. Certain vehicles were equipped with an incorrect tire placard. The vehicles were equipped with p195/50r16 tires but the tire placard indicated that the recommended tire sizes were p185/65r14 and p185/65r15.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with a correct label and installation instructions. Owner notification began February 14, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
Equipment › Other › Labels
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the sport appearance package fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS 110, "tire selection and rims." certain vehicles built with 16" wheels and tires were equipped with the incorrect tire placard.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with a new label, or, if the owner wishes, their dealer can install the label for them.
Child seat
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." some of the owner's manuals for these vehicles are missing instructions that provide a step-by-step procedure, including diagrams, for properly…
Remedy: Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: passenger cars. Vapors from the positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) system can condense and freeze inside of the throttle body when the vehicle is operated in extremely cold ambient temperatures.
Remedy: Dealers will replace and relocate a pcv system tube.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Dodge Neon should you avoid?
1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Neon years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 1995.
What is the best year for the Dodge Neon?
2005 has the fewest complaints compared with other Neon years at the same age, followed by 2004 and 1999. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Dodge Neon problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (1,277), brakes (513) and electrical system (449). Engine complaints peak in the 1996 model year.
How many recalls has the Dodge Neon had?
16 recalls across 1995–2005. The model year with the most is 1995. See all Dodge Neon recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.