1996 Dodge Neon engine problems

Owners reported engine problems in 364 complaints for the 1996 Dodge Neon, 41% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

Complaints: 364 41% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage: 80,000 miles 13 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires: 2 and 2
Injuries and deaths: 0 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Based on 13 complaints that include mileage. 31% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.

View the numbers

Mileage	Complaints
0k to 20k miles	1
20k to 40k miles	2
40k to 60k miles	1
60k to 80k miles	2
80k to 100k miles	7
100k to 120k miles	0
120k to 140k miles	0
140k to 160k miles	0
160k to 180k miles	0
180k to 200k miles	0
200k+ miles	0

What the data shows

Of the 13 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 80,000 miles, and 31% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 2 crashes, 2 fires.

What owners wrote

E98012; defective head gasket had a leak, causing the oil to leak, resulting in an underhood fire. Dealer replaced the head gasket. Dealer cannot determine the problem.

February 1997 Fire

Oil leaked from failed head gasket or cracked head, exhaust leak from head or manifold. Speedometer dial stop working. The car only has 30000 miles on it. My repair man wants $500.00 just to tear down the engine to see if it is the gasket or a cracked head, and thats just the labor and not including parts. This is a safty problem that should be cause for a recall. How many complaints or lives will it take before NHTSA takes action aganist this car manufacturing company?

Reported at 30,320 miles, November 2002

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Dodge models