Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Dodge Neon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I had an car wreck in my 1998 Dodge Neon (blue) in November 24,2002 due to the breaks & the tires & the air bag did not come out when I wreck & I got stuck in my seat belt out the car wreck & then I had another 1999 Dodge Neon (white) & I had car problems with it to
Dt: the contact's daughter was involved in a car accident on October 7, 2005. Upon impact, the front air bags did not deploy. This was front end collision. Has not contacted the manufacturer at this point.
I was recently in a front offset (passenger side)impact collision in my Dodge Neon, and the passenger air bag did not deploy. My husband was driving and I was the passenger. He had the cruise set at 70 MPH when another vehicle turned in front of us. We left 102' of skid marks before the poi and travelled another 22' before the por. I contacted dc about the problem, but I have been brushed off. They have said that they did an investigation, and the rate of deceleration was not met. However, my car has been totaled out by the insurance company, and it looks like a crushed aluminum can on the front passenger side. The windshield is cracked, and I know that we were going at least 30 MPH when we hit the other vehicle. The road is a highway that has recently had new blacktop laid, and is very slick. I do not even know if this matter has been investigated. …
1998 Dodge Neon was forced off the roadway by a Mitsubishi eclipse that turned across 19 year old female drivers lane of travel. Sideswipe caused left front control arm to collapse, vehicle briefly bottomed onto pavement, leaving a short distance gouge mark. The Neon then jumped onto a curb and impacted a utility pole head on at an estimated 27-35mph impact speed. This accident occurred on nellis boulevard in las vegas, nevada. The frontal impact airbags did not deploy, female driver had severe neck injuries that resulted in a stroke and permanent disability. Trw claims the system performed exactly as designed. They claim their 1998 veam crash sensing algorithm ascertained that the driver would have been out of position at the time of the utility pole impact and the depowered airbag would have caused more harm than good. …
While driving at 30 MPH there was a 4-car accident, and consumer rear ended the 4th car. Bounced off, and the car behind consumer's, hit it at about 40 MPH. Then consumer's car hit vehicle in front three times. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. Dealer said airbags should have deployed at 20 to 25 MPH.
While driving at approximately 30 MPH vehicle was involved in a head-on collision. Upon impact, dual airbags did not deploy, and shoulder seatbelt did not lock, causing driver to be thrown forward ,hitting steering wheel and windshield. Driver sustained head and neck injuries.
Vehicle stalled out when stopped on one occasion, then stalled out again while driving, causing driver to be unable to stop. Brakes went out and frontal impact occurred. Airbags did not deploy. Dealer not aware of problem. Problem still exists. Provide further information.
While driving vehicle about 10 MPH consumer stated that another vehicle crossed in front of consumer's vehicle, resulting in a collision. Air bags did not deploy. Also, there was extensive damage to front of the vehicle.
Driver's and passenger's air bags failed to deploy when vehicle was involved in a frontal collission while consumer's daughter was traveling at approximately 30 MPH. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Vehicle was forced off the road unto a grassy surface. Air bags deployed, bursted open and caught on fire, causing second degree burns to driver's arm, from wrist up to shoulder, and minor cuts and bruises.
Airbag complaints in other Neon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1998 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Dodge Neon, 10% of the model year's 339 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (28 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Dodge Neon airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1998 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 1998 Dodge Neon airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 31 crashes, 1 fire and 25 injuries to air bags 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.