Complaints
451
Crashes
56
Fires
3
Injuries
61
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Dodge Neon Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1135 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Avg mileage:106,118 mi
Crash-related:3
#243 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Avg mileage:77,375 mi
#328 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:76,502 mi
Crash-related:25
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Dodge Neon.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 135 | 3 | — | 106,118 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 43 | — | — | 77,375 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 28 | 25 | 1 | 76,502 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 13 | — | — | 50,411 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 12 | 1 | — | 39,640 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 10 | — | — | 45,000 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Trunk Lid | 9 | — | — | 100 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 8 | — | 1 | 48,062 mi | |
| Sunroof/Moonroof | 8 | — | — | 43,062 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 6 | 1 | — | 80,000 mi | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 6 | — | — | 54,100 mi | |
| Airbags | 5 | 5 | — | 60,000 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Instrument Cluster | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 | — | 1 | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
135
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
106,118
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
43
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,375
Air Bags:Frontal
28
complaints
Crashes
25
Fires
1
Avg Miles
76,502
Engine & Cooling
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
50,411
Automatic Transmission
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
39,640
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
45,000
Structure:Body:Trunk Lid
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100
Electrical Faults
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
48,062
Sunroof/Moonroof
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
43,062
Suspension Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,000
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,100
Airbags
5
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
60,000
Suspension:Front
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Instrument Cluster
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Dodge Neon. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Neon Years
1998 Dodge Neon — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Dodge Neon reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Dodge Neon has 451 NHTSA complaints, 56 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine with 135 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Dodge Neon?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (135 complaints, avg 106,118 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (43 complaints, avg 77,375 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (28 complaints, avg 76,502 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 1998 Dodge Neon?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 82,016 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Dodge Neon include 56 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 61 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 1998 Dodge Neon have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 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 1998 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 1998 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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