Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
1996 Dodge Neon Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine — runs 4.4× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
611Complaints
7Recalls
46Crashes
5Fires
32Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (41.1% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints here are 4.4× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 251 · 41.1% | not available | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline | 85 · 13.9% | not available | — |
| Air Bags:frontal | 37 · 6.1% | not available | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 28 · 4.6% | not available | — |
| Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood | 28 · 4.6% | Recalled | Recall 96V026000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 26 · 4.3% | Recalled | Recall 96V075000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 611 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 7 campaigns
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E060000 · 2006 · reported 06/29/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E049000 · 2006 · reported 05/24/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood
NHTSA campaign 96V026000 · 1996 · reported 02/05/1996
SHORTING OF THE WIRING HARNESS CAN CAUSE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS, INCLUDING ENGINE STALLING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
NHTSA campaign 96V075000 · 1996 · reported 05/03/1996
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“DUE TO AN OIL LEAK THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWN OUT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.”NHTSA complaint 833073 — filed 01/06/1999 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“REAR SEAL ON ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING OIL, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BECOME DEFECTIVE.”NHTSA complaint 832969 — filed 01/04/1999 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“11/10/98 - HEAD GASKET FAILURE - REPLACED. SPARK PLUGS (TUNE UP) PERFORMED SAME DAY AT PERFORMANCE DODGE SERVICE CENTER. 11/25/98 - ENGINE - BEGAN STALLING…”NHTSA complaint 700934 — filed 11/27/1998 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Dodge Neon?
Engine and engine cooling:engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 251 of 611 NHTSA complaints (41.1%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (85), air bags:frontal (37), unspecified/other issues (37). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1996 Dodge Neon have?
611 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 46 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 32 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1996 Dodge Neon have any recalls?
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E012000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1996 Dodge Neon's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
