Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Dodge Neon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Consumer stated her brakes failed. There was a multi-car accident on the beltway. As she approached she saw the truck in front of her apply his brakes, she then applied her brakes. Her vehicle did not stop and the vehicle rear ended the truck in front of her. The air bags did not deploy, and she received some musculoskeletal injuries and was very sore. Her vehicle was totaled. Daimlerchrysler won't claim any responsibility for the defect on the vehicle.
My first complaint would be about the paint. My car has been peeling for the past 2 years now, it bubbles then peels and gets bigger and bigger every day. It is now peeling in 6 spots, the largest is the size of a watermelon. Very unhappy!!!! Second, the brakes are horrible, the squealing of metal on metal has been occurring since day 1 of getting my car. I was recently driving on a major highway and my steering wheel began shaking like crazy. I pulled over and everything seemed fine. I continued to drive but could not accelerate faster than 60km/hr. I tried driving my car to the mechanics but in the end did not get very far. I pulled over once again and noticed smoke coming from my drivers side front wheel. I also noticed the wheel well caught on fire due to the friction. My car was then towed and my mechanic diagnosed the problem as a ceased caliper. Beware, this was scary. …
Well lets see the first defect was a fan relay which was replaced 5 times before a wiring defect was found next we have "hard brakes" which contribuited to an accident which caused 7000 dollars in damage and 1 minor injury due to the fact that the air bags did not deploy, we follow that up with a leaky head gasket which Chrysler was kind enough to return 1/2 of my out of pocket expenses along with wiring defects and air bags that don't come out other than the fact I have had more problems with this car than every other cars I have ever owned they made up for this lemon by having a bad customer service department too.
While braking in line of traffic brakes did not work, cruise control seemed to engage,car would not stop. Hit car in front, that car hit next in line. Received summons but at later date found not guilty and fine returned. Inspection said cruise was OK. On 23/25/99 brakes again failed til cruise control was hit at off button. Cruise was not in use - has not been used since 1996 accident. Cruise control was not connected at time of purchase - northtown Dodge connected 10/4/96 when found cruise did not work.
While driving 30 MPH, applying the brakes and the braking system malfunctioned, causing the brakes to lock up and vehicle to spin around. Had a rollover in which the defective seatbelt unlatched during the accident, and after rollover was completed the driver's and passenger's airbags deflated improperly.
Head gasket needed to be replace after 45,000 miles.. Bought the car in 2002.. Bbrakes are horrible.. Brakes make noise, system operating normal fan relay switch .. Needed to be replaced.. And was also recalled.. In about 3 years ago.. And never notified.. Front end always clanking.. When u turn..
When traveling on wet pavement/upon depressing brake pedal the vehicle went into a skid, consumer was involved in a rear end collision in which the driver's and passenger's side air bags deployed, causing the windshield to blow out. Please provide any further details.
Steering: driving approximately 15mph and went over speed bump, steering locked up and could not steer car left or right, struggled to turn left to get back on highway, hit the brakes and the brakes did not work. Hit 3 ton boulder , and car was totaled.
The brakes are horrible.. Grind as if metal on metal.. Have had them checked by dealer and two other brake specialits. All say brakes work fine.. However grind horribly.. And chirp continuously.. Nobody can figure it out. The paint is another issue. It peels all over including trunk, doors, roof, etc. Seems to be only lapis blue color that does it. I have a list of 12 vehicles in this color that are peeling as well as several photos. Dealer wanted me to pay, even while under warranty.. Phoned daimler Chrysler and it took 4 months of fighting with them to agree to re-paint however they will only re-paint where it is peeling.. Unacceptable, as more paint will continue to peel in other areas. This is a manufacturing defect and should be covered with no questions.. They are well aware of the problem.. The brakes should be fixed also. I did not bought a new car to avoid problems like these.. …
The first problem I had with this car was the head gasket blew out. Chrysler agreed to pay for it (the $1000 was my estimate of what it cost to replace the gasket). The second problem was the throttle assembly and coil pack quit working, both at the same time. I paid $600 out of my pocket to fix them. The third problem was the automatic transmission started slipping and the car will not go into reverse when its cold. The fourth most current problem is the brakes are not working properly the pedal will not go down and the dealer says its probably something to do with the vacuum system. I contacted Chrysler and they are not willing to pay for the repairs for the transmission, even though they have admitted that they have problems with automatic transmissions per information I obtained from a web site called lemon- aid. ****** I will never buy a Dodge again!!! I'm spreading the word. …
Brake complaints in other Neon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1997 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Dodge Neon, 12% of the model year's 390 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Dodge Neon brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1997 Dodge Neon, though it has 1 recall 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 1997 Dodge Neon brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.