Complaints
553
Crashes
61
Fires
17
Injuries
40
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Dodge Neon Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1151 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Avg mileage:59,600 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:3
#247 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Avg mileage:89,500 mi
Crash-related:1
#331 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:100,000 mi
Crash-related:28
Fires:2
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Dodge Neon.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 151 | 1 | 3 | 59,600 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 47 | 1 | — | 89,500 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 31 | 28 | 2 | 100,000 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 21 | 2 | — | 33,719 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 17 | 1 | 1 | 44,228 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 17 | 5 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 11 | — | — | 55,565 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 10 | 2 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 10 | 3 | — | — | |
| Airbags | 9 | 3 | 1 | 124,000 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 9 | — | 1 | 88,333 mi | |
| Body Structure | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 7 | — | — | 93,833 mi | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 7 | 3 | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Trunk Lid | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 5 | 1 | — | 48,000 mi | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 5 | 2 | — | 62,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 5 | — | — | 10,000 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 5 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 4 | — | 2 | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 4 | 1 | — | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
151
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
59,600
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
47
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
89,500
Air Bags:Frontal
31
complaints
Crashes
28
Fires
2
Avg Miles
100,000
Automatic Transmission
21
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
33,719
Engine & Cooling
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
44,228
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
17
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
55,565
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
10
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
10
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
9
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
124,000
Electrical Faults
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
88,333
Body Structure
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,833
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
7
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Trunk Lid
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
48,000
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
62,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
10,000
Structure:Body:Door
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Interior Lighting
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Dodge Neon. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Neon Years
1997 Dodge Neon — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Dodge Neon reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1997 Dodge Neon has 553 NHTSA complaints, 61 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine with 151 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Dodge Neon?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (151 complaints, avg 59,600 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (47 complaints, avg 89,500 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (31 complaints, avg 100,000 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 1997 Dodge Neon?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 67,752 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Dodge Neon include 61 crash-related reports, 17 fire reports, 40 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 1997 Dodge Neon have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 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 1997 Dodge Neon?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
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 1997 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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