Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1996 Dodge Neon. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗CHRYSLER/BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:MASTER CYLINDER
- Summary
- THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.
- Consequence
- BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT(S) WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT PRIOR TO PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.
CHRYSLER/ELECT.WIRING:HARNESS:FRONT:UNDERHOOD
- Summary
- AN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS CAN SHORT CIRCUIT DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION TUBE..
- Consequence
- SHORTING OF THE WIRING HARNESS CAN CAUSE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS, INCLUDING ENGINE STALLING.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROPERLY AND ANY WIRE THAT HAS BEEN DAMAGED WILL BE REPLACED.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (611)
611 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 611 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 340 | 55.6% |
| Electrical system | 93 | 15.2% |
| Service brakes | 89 | 14.6% |
| Power train | 47 | 7.7% |
| Air bags | 44 | 7.2% |
| Unknown or other | 37 | 6.1% |
| Steering | 24 | 3.9% |
| Structure | 23 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system | 20 | 3.3% |
| Visibility | 17 | 2.8% |
How 1996 compares with other Neon years
Best and worst Neon years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 3 | 0 |
| 1994 | 9 | 0 |
| 1995 | 976 | 6 |
| 1996 | 611 | 2 |
| 1997 | 390 | 1 |
| 1998 | 339 | 1 |
| 1999 | 116 | 0 |
| 2000 | 337 | 5 |
| 2001 | 146 | 4 |
| 2002 | 173 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 28 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,400
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 317 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 28 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 35 / 28 | $2,400 | 317 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 30 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1996 Neon for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1996 Dodge Neon FAQ
How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge Neon have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 96V075000 (brake), 96V026000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1996 Dodge Neon problems?
Owners filed 611 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (340), Electrical system (93), Service brakes (89) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1996 Dodge Neon get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 24 city, 35 highway and 28 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1996 Neon compare with other years?
Among the 1993–2002 Dodge Neon model years at least five years old, the 1993 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 1995 the most (976). The 1996 drew 611. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.