Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1998 Dodge Neon, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling199
- Air bags34
- Structure22
- Electrical system21
- Power train20
- Unknown or other18
- Visibility16
- Suspension14
- Steering13
- Vehicle speed control11
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 46 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 4 1998 Neon vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 3 people died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1998 Dodge Neon failed the safety check 1.13% of the time — 34% less often than the average 1998 passenger car (1.71%). Median odometer at inspection: 96,143 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 3 variants: combined 8.1–9.9 L/100 km (about 24–29 mpg US), CO₂ 186–228 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neon · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.5 | 6.4 | 8.1 |
| Neon # · Compact · Regular gasoline | 10.4 | 7.3 | 9.0 |
| Neon · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.2 | 8.3 | 9.9 |
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 1998 Dodge Neon.
| 1999010 25 Jan 1999 | Structure On certain vehicles, the rear suspension crossmember may be missing spot welds. This may result in structural cracks in the body, and reduced crash protection … |
| 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… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MAY BE MISSING SPOT WELDS.
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 1998 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 |
| 6088884 | INFORMATION ON POOR DRIVABILITY WITH HIGH DI (DRIVABILITY INDEX) FUEL. *NLM |
| 6088858 | INFORMATION ON GASKET SURFACE PREPARATION ON ALUMINUM ENGINE COMPONENTS. *NLM |
| 6088845 | VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY TRANSMITTER BATTERIES DISCHARGE PREMATURELY. *NLM |
| 6088836 | INFORMATION REGARDING INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PART SPECIFICATION. *NLM |
| 6088792 | CONCERNS WITH VEHICLE OVERHEATS (RADIATOR FAN INOPERATIVE) OR RADIATOR FAN RUNS CONTINUOUSLY. *NLM |
| 6088777 | CONCERNS WITH FRONT BRAKE SQUEAL AND /OR CREEP/GROAN. *NLM |
| 608371 | DAIMLER CHRYSLER IS NOW OFFERING INTERNAL EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASES FOR SELECTED VEHICLES. *TT |
| 607963 | INFORMATION ON CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT |
| 607959 | THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY AND INSTALLATION OF A RESUABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL PAN GASKET. *TT |
| 607916 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING MULTI-LAYER STEEL (MLS) HEAD GASKET INSTALLATION PROCEDURES. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation