Dodge Neon Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Dodge Neon model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 1993 drew the fewest (3) and the 1995 the most (976).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 1994 Among the fewest complaints |
9 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2004 Among the fewest complaints |
94 | 0 | Power train | — | — |
| 2005 | 95 | 0 | Vehicle speed control | — | — |
| 1999 | 116 | 0 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 24–28 |
| 2001 | 146 | 4 | Air bags | — | 24–26 |
| 2002 | 173 | 0 | Power train | — | 24–27 |
| 2003 | 202 | 0 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2000 | 337 | 5 | Air bags | — | 24–27 |
| 1998 | 339 | 1 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 24–29 |
| 1997 Among the most complaints |
390 | 1 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 25–29 |
| 1996 Among the most complaints |
611 | 2 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 25–28 |
| 1995 Among the most complaints |
976 | 6 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 26–28 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Dodge Neon years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
1995 Dodge Neon: 976 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 294 (30%); Service brakes 212 (22%); Steering 124 (13%).
Reports mention 130 crashes, 58 fires, 126 injuries, 15 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 82,741 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
1996 Dodge Neon: 611 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 340 (56%); Electrical system 93 (15%); Service brakes 89 (15%).
Reports mention 46 crashes, 5 fires, 32 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 83,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
1997 Dodge Neon: 390 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 222 (57%); Service brakes 47 (12%); Air bags 41 (11%).
Reports mention 44 crashes, 12 fires, 28 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 62,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
The Dodge Neon years with the fewest complaints
1993 Dodge Neon: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 1 (33%); Engine and engine cooling 1 (33%); Suspension 1 (33%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
1994 Dodge Neon: 9 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 2 (22%); Engine and engine cooling 2 (22%); Power train 2 (22%).
Reports mention 2 crashes. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2004 Dodge Neon: 94 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 23 (24%); Engine and engine cooling 20 (21%); Electrical system 15 (16%).
Reports mention 19 crashes, 3 fires, 18 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 60,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Dodge Neon owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 95 | 23 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 45,200 |
| 2004 | 94 | 19 | 3 | 18 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2003 | 202 | 23 | 20 | 25 | 1 | 55,000 |
| 2002 | 173 | 26 | 3 | 16 | 0 | 48,000 |
| 2001 | 146 | 35 | 1 | 30 | 5 | 56,000 |
| 2000 | 337 | 74 | 6 | 57 | 2 | 64,781 |
| 1999 | 116 | 21 | 4 | 19 | 5 | 60,000 |
| 1998 | 339 | 43 | 3 | 46 | 0 | 62,000 |
| 1997 | 390 | 44 | 12 | 28 | 0 | 62,000 |
| 1996 | 611 | 46 | 5 | 32 | 0 | 83,000 |
| 1995 | 976 | 130 | 58 | 126 | 15 | 82,741 |
| 1994 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Dodge Neon recalls
- DAIMLERCHRYSLER/FMVSS 225/CHILD SEAT ANCHOR (2000–2001 model years; 1,211,756 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2000; 00V366000)
- CHRYSLER/STEERING COLUMN COUPLING (1995 model year; 375,000 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 1997; 97V169000)
- DAIMLERCHRYSLER/BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE (2000–2001 model years; 353,000 vehicles across all models; filed May 2001; 01V154000)
- DAIMLERCHRYSLER/THROTTLE BLADE ICING (2000 model year; 263,000 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2000; 00V194000)
- CHRYSLER/BRAKE/FUEL LINES (1995 model year; 180,000 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 1996; 96V228000)
All 16 Dodge Neon recall campaigns · Dodge Neon problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Dodge Neon years FAQ
Which Dodge Neon year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 1993 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (3). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Dodge Neon years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 1995, 1996 and 1997 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine and engine cooling. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Dodge Neon problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine and engine cooling (1,262 of 3,491 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Dodge Neon have?
NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns covering the Dodge Neon. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Dodge Neon recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
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.