Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Dodge Neon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have had ongoing problems with my 1996 Dodge Neon sport, it has been inoperable for the last year or so, due to electrical problems and stalling which I believe stem from the wiring harness. I have had the brakes replaced a few times, the A/C replaced, fuel injection acts up and the fuel gauge fluctuates, my transmission has started slipping, power steering and exhaust are leaking, numerous oil leaks, rear lights/ brake lights have not worked in over a year, driverside window broke along the extending arm inside of the door frame, trunk release is broken and my cruise control is broken! For the last 4months my car has been sitting at atlanta Dodge llc! Just after leaving it with their service department, I received a call saying I needed a new battery and until it was replaced for $180 they could not do a diagnostic check for any other problems!! …
The problems that are occuring on a daily basis are: the gas gauge doesn't work,the speedometer doesn't work,the temperature gauge doesn't work,the mileage gauge doesn't work because the speedometer isn't working.sometimes while you are driving the lights(seat belt,etc.)will pop on making the dinging noise letting you know that everything is on(like when you 1st start up the car)but nothing starts working then but the temperature gauge.we never know how much fuel we have put in our car,how fast we are going,or if the car is running hot or cold.at one point we were having to get jump starts all of the time. …
My vehicle was purchased in feb. 1996. Within one year it had been recalled and serviced for several reasons. The first incident was the fuel pump module. The amount of gas on the reading revealed 1/4 of the tank still full, however the tank was actually empty. Also within that year I began noticing water in the back seat and in the spare wheel well, due to a leak in the rear window seal. Six months later the same vehicle began leaking oil and when serviced it was found to be a head gasket leak. The gasket and it's components were replaced under warranty. In addition to other recalls the vehicle has been serviced regularly. However, within the four years this car has been revealing symptoms that are unbelievable for such short amount of time. It has currently been diagnosed with another faulty head gasket. …
I have had my car in for repair 4 times in 3 yrs. First the spark plugs were bad, had to be replace. Second the wires melted together in my steering wheel column, 4rd the fueld sensor went out in fuel pump had to have the fuel pump replaced. Ask warrenty company what most common problem with the Dodge Neon was they said the head gasket blowing, now I guess it's my turn for that I took to dealer today for oil leak , they said head gasket blown, need to tear down engine to make sure nothing else is bad ( cracked block / head) seems like an awful lot of problems for a car that's not that old and has been maintained, very dissapointed in vehicle
Instrument panel (dash gauges) has a short and does not work, this includes the speedometer, odometer, and fuel &temp gauges. Engine head gasket is blown and is leaking oil badly, and excessive tire wear on the front of the car... Car is experiencing excessive gas consumption... Goes about 180 miles to a full 12 gallon tank of gas...it passes everything but a gas station... A tech at the dealership (ragland Dodge, angleton texas) told me that these are very common problems with the Dodge Neon...( dot number: tire size: 165/80r/13 )
The vehicle leaks gas and the vehicle cut off on the driver.tt consumer stated that vehicle leaked gas two days after purchase, consumer took vehicle back to dealer and the fuel pipe was replaced, two days later it failed and vehicle almost caught fire, consumer contacted manufacturer but they were no help.
Vehicle stalls at speeds over 50 MPH. Lately, vehicle has been stalling weekly. Taken to dealer 4 times. Dealer replaced fuel injector wiring harness/ fuel pump, and computer twice. This did not remedy the problem.
Serious gas leak from end of fuel module where gas seal has worn away and leaked out too much gas. Daimlerchrylser will not do a recall.
Vehicle has had to have a new transmission, head gasket, spark plugs and wires, and the fuel gauge stopped functioning. All before 60,000 miles.
While backing out of a parking spot vehicle scraped a rock about the size of a football and the gas tank busted open.
Fuel System complaints in other Neon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1996 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1996 Dodge Neon, 3% of the model year's 611 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Dodge Neon fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 1996 Dodge Neon, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Dodge Neon fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles.
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.