Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1997 Dodge Neon, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling222
- Service brakes, hydraulic44
- Air bags41
- Electrical system33
- Power train26
- Structure24
- Unknown or other19
- Seat belts17
- Steering15
- Exterior lighting12
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 28 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 1997 Dodge Neon failed the safety check 0.00% of the time — 100% less often than the average 1997 passenger car (1.60%). Median odometer at inspection: 134,804 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 8.2–9.3 L/100 km (about 25–29 mpg US), CO₂ 189–214 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neon · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.6 | 6.5 | 8.2 |
| Neon · Compact · Regular gasoline | 10.6 | 7.6 | 9.3 |
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 1997 Dodge Neon.
| 1998053 27 Mar 1998 | Electrical THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. THE SOLID STATE FAN RELAY COULD FAIL BECAUSE OF HEAT RELATED ELECTRICAL OVER STRESS CAUS… |
| 1997102 21 May 1997 | Seats And Restraints THE CIRCUIT DESIGN IN THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE MAY ALLOW THE POTENTIAL FOR INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN. CORRECT… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESIGN ALLOWS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN.
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 1997 Dodge Neon: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 625650 | SUBJECT REGARDING OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR GLASS REPLACEMENT. *TT |
| 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 |
| 609988 | SUBJECT REGARDING MISDIAGNOSED LEAK DETECTION PUMP SYSTEMS WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1494, P0442 P0455, OR P0456. *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 |
| 6089066 | INFORMATION ON TAPE ACROSS REAR FASCIA FASTENERS SHOWS IN OPENING. *NLM |
| 6089038 | INFORMATION ON TIRE AND WHEEL RUNOUT. *NLM |
| 6088926 | INFORMATION ON NO START DIAGNOSTIC CAM/CRANK SENSOR $01 AND $28. *NLM |
| 6088917 | CONCERNS WITH "BUMP" FEEL DURING A/C COMPRESSOR ENGAGEMENT. *NLM |
| 6088890 | INFORMATION ON LEAK DETECTION PUMP (LDP) DEALER TEST MODE. *NLM |
| 6088884 | INFORMATION ON POOR DRIVABILITY WITH HIGH DI (DRIVABILITY INDEX) FUEL. *NLM |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation