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
Considering a 1997 Dodge Neon?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
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 | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 21 | 2 | — | 33,719 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 21 | — | 1 | — | |
| ENGINE AND 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 | — | — | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 10 | 3 | — | — | |
| AIR BAGS | 9 | 3 | 1 | 124,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 9 | — | 1 | 88,333 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 8 | — | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN | 7 | — | — | 93,833 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 7 | 3 | — | — | |
| TIRES | 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 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | 5 | 1 | — | 48,000 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 5 | — | — | — | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 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
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
21
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
33,719
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
21
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
ENGINE AND 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
—
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
10
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
AIR BAGS
9
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
124,000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
88,333
STRUCTURE:BODY
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
—
TIRES
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
—
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
48,000
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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
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.
Check Any VIN — $4.99