Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1996 Dodge Neon, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling340
- Electrical system93
- Service brakes, hydraulic88
- Power train47
- Air bags44
- Unknown or other37
- Steering24
- Structure23
- Visibility17
- Vehicle speed control16
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 32 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1996 Dodge Neon failed the safety check 3.33% of the time — 127% more often than the average 1996 passenger car (1.47%). Median odometer at inspection: 104,045 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 8.5–9.8 L/100 km (about 24–28 mpg US), CO₂ 196–225 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neon · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.7 | 7.0 | 8.5 |
| Neon · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.2 | 8.1 | 9.8 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 1996 Dodge Neon.
| 1996079 17 May 1996 | Brakes On certain vehicles, the brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid due to a damaged double lip rear piston seal. Brake fluid leakage may result in diminished … |
| 1996029 12 Feb 1996 | Electrical AN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS MAY SHORT DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) TUBE. SHORTING OF THE HARNESS MAY CAUSE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIO… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.
AN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS CAN SHORT CIRCUIT DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION TUBE..
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Dodge told its dealers about the 1996 Dodge Neon: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 621898 | AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE ATF+4. *TT *MJ |
| 618396 | THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES INSTALLATION OF A NEW COMPONENT TO ASSIST CAM SEAL RETENTION. *JB |
| 618049 | SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB |
| 612600 | SUBJECT ON PROPORTIONING VALVE BRAKE PRESSURE ADAPTER TOOL REVISION. *TT |
| 612160 | SUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS |
| 612149 | VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE CLUNKING OR RATTLE IN STEERING WHEEL/STEERING COLUMN. *MJS |
| 610635 | SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT |
| 610007 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION IS NOW OFFERING INTERNAL EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASES FOR SELECTION VEHICLES. *TT |
| 609995 | THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT |
| 6092304 | SUBJECT REGARDING NON-DEPLOYED AIRBAG HANDLING PROCEDURES. *TT |
| 6089824 | CONCERNS WITH SUNROOF MAKING A RATCHETING TYPE NOISE WHEN OPENING OR CLOSING. *TT |
| 6089800 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION IS NOW OFFERINB AIRBAG ON / OFF SWITCHES FOR SELECTED VEHICLES. *TT |
| 6089311 | CONCERNS WITH A/C EVAPORATOR ODOR. *NLM |
| 6089121 | BLOWER MOTOR DOES NOT OPERATE IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES. *NLM |
| 6089086 | CONCERNS WITH WATER DRIPS FROM ROOF RAIL WEATHERSTRIP CHANNEL INTO VEHICLE. *NLM |
| 6089084 | VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE CREAK/RATTLE FROM FRONT FOOT WELL. *NLM |
| 6089082 | VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE DOOR GLASS SCRATCHES. *NLM |
| 6089038 | INFORMATION ON TIRE AND WHEEL RUNOUT. *NLM |
| 6088917 | CONCERNS WITH "BUMP" FEEL DURING A/C COMPRESSOR ENGAGEMENT. *NLM |
| 6088896 | CONCERNS WITH OBDII READINESS CODE RETENTION, FRDERAL PACKAGES. *NLM |
| 6088884 | INFORMATION ON POOR DRIVABILITY WITH HIGH DI (DRIVABILITY INDEX) FUEL. *NLM |
| 6088858 | INFORMATION ON GASKET SURFACE PREPARATION ON ALUMINUM ENGINE COMPONENTS. *NLM |
| 6088836 | INFORMATION REGARDING INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PART SPECIFICATION. *NLM |
| 6088777 | CONCERNS WITH FRONT BRAKE SQUEAL AND /OR CREEP/GROAN. *NLM |
| 6088773 | CONCERN HOWL FROM REAR BRAKES DURING LOW SPEED STOP. *NLM |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
UNDERHOOD FIRES
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation