Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1998 Dodge Neon: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1998 Dodge Neon, most recently filed January 1999. Owners have filed 339 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1998 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 ↗
Listed for 1998 Dodge Neon. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 99V001000 Filed Jan 7, 1999

DAIMLERCHRYSLER/BODY SPOT WELDS

Structure · body
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MAY BE MISSING SPOT WELDS.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN STRUCTURAL CRACKS IN THE BODY, AND REDUCED CRASH PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MISSING WELDS, AND WILL HAVE STRUCTURAL RIVETS INSTALLED IN PLACE OF THE MISSING WELDS.
Repair progress not yet reported3,683 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 99V001000

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 (339)

339 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.

43involved a crash
3involved a fire
46injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Dodge Neon, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 339.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1998 compares with other Neon years

Best and worst Neon years →
1994199519961997199819992000200120022003
This year (1998)Other yearsStill collecting reports

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 29 mpg combined

29
mpg combined
25
city
37
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,300
CO₂ tailpipe
306 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,252per year
$188per month
517gallons a year

Miles ÷ 29 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

1998 Dodge Neon configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive25 / 37 / 29$2,300306
2 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 30 / 24$2,800370

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1998 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.

All Neon years

Where to next

1998 Dodge Neon FAQ

How many recalls does the 1998 Dodge Neon have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 99V001000 (structure). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1998 Dodge Neon problems?

Owners filed 339 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (199), Air bags (34), Structure (22) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1998 Dodge Neon get?

EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 25 city, 37 highway and 29 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1998 Neon compare with other years?

Among the 1994–2003 Dodge Neon model years at least five years old, the 1994 drew the fewest complaints (9) and the 1995 the most (976). The 1998 drew 339. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

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.
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