Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Tl contact owns a 1997 Dodge Neon. The headlights and high beams are very dim. The bulbs were replaced; however, the lights remained dim. Oil was placed in the vehicle, but then leaked onto the ground, causing the oil warning indicator light to illuminate intermittently. The contact noticed a grayish-colored smoke exiting the rear of the vehicle. The repair shop stated that the failure was caused by a blown head gasket. The failure mileage was 97,000 and current mileage was 140,301.
I own a 1997 Dodge Neon - a model (and apparently, the Dodge brand itself) that has a reputation for blowing head gaskets at about 60,000 miles because of a poor composite material the gaskets were made out of. Just today, I found the tell-tale sign of fluid mixture (oil in my coolant lines) that indicates a head gasket failure. I called Chrysler and explained my situation, and the customer service rep told me that based on my car's year and the mileage (approx 54800), there was nothing they could do. I've scoured the internet and found countless tales of "secret warranties" and "customer goodwill money." stories about Chrysler paying for the entire cost of a replacement, $100 deductables, 50/50 split policies, and of course, down-right refusals and denials of the problem itself, which Chrysler acknowledged in a service bulliten, located here: …
I own a 1997 Dodge Neon. Purchased June 1997. This car too date has approximately 27,500 original miles on it. Starting in August 1999 I had to have the head gasket replaced on 3 occasions.I had to have the same repair job done again in July 2001 when I had only put another 7,108 on the car. May 2003 I had for the 3rd time the same repair jobe done when my car reached 26152 (7,166 miles added after 2nd repair job). Too date the manufacture has paid the repair bills with the exception of a $100 deductible I had to pay the last time they reapired it. I protested having to pay the $100 because I felt the manufactur should have paid the complete bill. They refused to refund my money. This car has on ongoing problem with the head gasket. …
Oil leakage, head gasket replaced 2x in 1997, again head gasket is blown, cam and transmission leakage also. Car has always leaked a bit of oil daily; however, oil changes every 2000 miles coupled with weekly level checks maintained ability to drive vehicle. As of 2/05, oil leaking profusely via passenger portion of engine gasket. Mechanic confirms blown head gasket, says this is a known defect of the neons as a whole. I have chosen to not repair head gasket at my expense at this time. I purchased vehicle new in oct. 1996, as a new year Neon for 1997. I maintained the vehicle meticiously, and both the body and interior are in excellent condition (body has no rust). Car has 88,000 miles currently. I am very disappointed in Dodge's lack of concern and responsibility in producing a quality car. …
Took vehicle in to repair shop after noticing an oil leak. They told me at first it was normal leaking from routine oil change. Then thanksgiving day 2001, at freeway speeds (75 MPH) the head gasket blew. Oil went every where. I had oil even in the coolant system. Took to my personal mechanic, he told me he has seen this many times before with Neon's. Final price to fix problem 987.36, head gasket replaced coolant system flushed out, etc. Now I need a new radiator because of it. Seems to be common with this year of vehicle. My friend had a 1998 Dodge Neon that the head gasket was recalled in and she was able to get it fixed for free. Obviously for consumer satisfaction it would be in chryslers best interest to acknowledge, at the very least, that they have produced a less than satisfactory engine component in the 1997 Neon. …
My fiancee bought a 97 Dodge Neon from a friend at 35,000 miles. Now at 70,[redacted] the vehicle started to leak oil, I was putting in 3 quarts a week, the car runs very rough and the check engine light is on andi cant afford to tow it to a shop to find the problem (maybe cause ive spent all my money on oil due to the head gasket leaking?) I am in the middle of repairing my self just takeing a break from the chaos and my back hurts. Many Neon have this problem the manufacturers redesigned a new head gasket, is this thier way of saying " hey we at Dodge messed up bad and now you and thousands of other people can pay $600.00 -$1,000 to get it fixed" another bullitin from car quest say the oil leaks due to the cam sensor cover ile find out shortly I assume and if thats the case why arent any of these other mechanics catching that or do the know and just say it is the head gasket for more …
The consumer saw oil leaking from the vehicle. The dealership informed the consumer that the problem pertained to a head gasket failure. The mechanic did not resolve the problem. On June 3rd 2002, the consumer had to have the transmission re-built. The main gear had a crack in the casting and started to loose teeth. The consumer noticed the casing of the transmission was wet. The heads of the engine were warped. The dealers in both case only changed the gasket and not checking to see if the head was warped. When the vehicle was cold in the morning, it wouldn't engage in reverse for up to 30 seconds, then clunks in hard and if driving when still cold, it seemed to shift in and out of gear. (and shifts hard from 2nd to 3rd and over revs in 2nd prior to shifting)
First of all, my car has been leaking oil for quite a few months now ...I just kept putting a quart in every now and then. Well, when I went to get the car inspected at pep boys, they said that my head gasket was leaking. They recommended me getting an estimate and the work done at an authorized Dodge dealer. I want to find out more information from your organization or from Dodge on the head gasket problems that Dodge neons have. I didn't know this until very recently. I have no repair date or cost yet. I was hoping to get information before I get an appointment/fixed. Can't this be a recall? If so many people have this problem with their neons why doesn't Dodge fix them? I am paying a car loan on this and it needs fixed already...and it is a major fix.
I purchased this vehicle 5-15-03 and noticed an oil leak the size of a 50 cent piece every time the vehicle was driven. When purchasing I asked if the head gasket problems had been taken care of on Neon's, and was told it is not an issue anymore. I had an oil change today 7-18-03 and was told that I needed a new head gasket and it was an often done repair at a cost of $700.00! After researching on the internet and finding hundreds of complaints about head gasket failure on this particular model, I am more than slightly displeased that Dodge, knowing of the problem, and even having a service bulletin out regarding this very problem is interested in taking care of it's owners, I will not be buy a Dodge, Chrysler, or Plymouth ever again!
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 (1997), it only has 39,000 miles on it and it is ridiculous for something like this to happen to car with such low mileage. I have done quite a bit of research online to find that several Neon owners have had this same problem. The 1995-1997 models have been predominantly affected by this problem. I contacted Chrysler about this and they will take no responsibility for this.
Engine complaints in other Neon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1997 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA has 222 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1997 Dodge Neon, 57% of the model year's 390 complaints. The component named most often is engine (151 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Dodge Neon engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling 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.