Complaints
887
Crashes
58
Fires
5
Injuries
35
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1996 Dodge Neon Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1251 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Avg mileage:61,387 mi
Fires:1
#285 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Crash-related:2
Fires:1
#337 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:86,000 mi
Crash-related:33
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1996 Dodge Neon.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 251 | — | 1 | 61,387 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 85 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 37 | 33 | 1 | 86,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 28 | — | 1 | 98,506 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 28 | — | — | 93,768 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 26 | 5 | — | 74,561 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 22 | 4 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 15 | — | 1 | 121,322 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 13 | — | — | 30,320 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 13 | 1 | — | 100,000 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 12 | — | — | 81,333 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Brake Master Cylinder | 12 | 1 | — | 102,018 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 11 | 1 | — | 83,000 mi | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 11 | — | — | 50,000 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 10 | — | — | 74,667 mi | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbags | 7 | — | — | 62,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 6 | — | — | 40,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 6 | — | — | 57,250 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 5 | — | — | 50,000 mi |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
251
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
61,387
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
85
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
37
complaints
Crashes
33
Fires
1
Avg Miles
86,000
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
28
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
98,506
Automatic Transmission
28
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,768
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
26
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,561
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
22
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
121,322
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
30,320
Unintended Acceleration
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,000
Electrical Faults
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
81,333
Transmission / Drivetrain
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brake Master Cylinder
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
102,018
Electrical System:Ignition
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,000
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
50,000
Visibility:Windshield
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,667
Electrical System:Horn
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
62,000
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
40,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
57,250
Structure:Body:Door
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
50,000
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1996 Dodge Neon. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Neon Years
1996 Dodge Neon — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1996 Dodge Neon reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 1996 Dodge Neon has 887 NHTSA complaints, 58 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine with 251 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1996 Dodge Neon?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (251 complaints, avg 61,387 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (85 complaints); Air Bags:Frontal (37 complaints, avg 86,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1996 Dodge Neon?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 71,494 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1996 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA complaints for the 1996 Dodge Neon include 58 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 35 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1996 Dodge Neon have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1996 Dodge Neon as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1996 Dodge Neon?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (engine and engine cooling:engine) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Neon reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1996 Dodge Neon
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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