1996 Dodge Neon Air Bags:frontal Problems

NHTSA component category: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · data through 07/12/2026

37Air Bags:frontal complaints

6.1%Of all 611 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How air bags:frontal ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE251 · 41.1%

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE85 · 13.9%

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL37 · 6.1%

Unspecified / other37 · 6.1%

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION28 · 4.6%

Share of the 611 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1996 Dodge Neon overview page.

What owners report

“VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN HEAD-ON COLLISION IN WHICH THE VEHCILE HIT AN TREE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS GOING 35-45…”NHTSA complaint 820081 — filed 12/23/1997

“WATER COMING IN FROM DASH WHICH CAUSES THE WATER TO LEAK FROM THE FLOORBOARD. THIS DEFECT HAPPENS ONLY WHEN IT IS RAINING. DEALER HAS TORN…”NHTSA complaint 819833 — filed 12/09/1997

“VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN HEAD- ON COLLISION WHICH INVOLVED A TREE AND NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.”NHTSA complaint 819446 — filed 11/25/1997

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Air Bags:frontal complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 1996 Dodge Neon have air bags:frontal problems?

Air Bags:frontal is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 1996 Dodge Neon: 37 of 611 complaints on file (6.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 1996 Dodge Neon have in total?

611 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 46 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 32 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's air bags:frontal category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the AIR BAGS:FRONTAL category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

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.