Dodge NEON Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Dodge NEON options? We analyzed 6 model years (2000–2005) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Found a Dodge NEON? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Dodge NEON has 1,113 owner complaints and 41 safety recalls across model years 2000–2005. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2000 drew the most complaints; 2004 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Dodge
- Model
- NEON
- Model years analyzed
- 2000–2005 (6 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 1,113
- Safety recall campaigns
- 41
- Crash-related complaints
- 204
- Fire-related complaints
- 36
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2000 (381 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2004 (94 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Dodge NEON: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe DODGE NEON has 1,113 NHTSA complaints and 41 recalls on record. 204 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 1,113 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 41 federal recall campaigns
- 204 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Oct 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
41 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SUSPENSION
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SUSPENSION
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SUSPENSION
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2000–2005. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 1,113 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
1,113 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, MY REAR PASSENGER END WAS LEANING A LITTLE TO THE SIDE. I WAS A SMOOTH PAVED ROAD AND IT FELT AS THOUGH I WAS HITTING POTHOLES. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THOUGHT MY TIRE WAS FLAT. I T0OK THE CAR TO A SHOP TO GET CHECKED OUT. THEY STATED THAT MY REAR SHOT BLEW. ON 11/20/18 MY DEFROSTERS ARE NO LONGER WORKING. MY HEADLIGHTS ARE DIM. I TRIED REPLACING THE BULB. HOWEVER, IT STILL ISN'T BRIGHT ENOUGH TO DRIVE IN THE DARK.
ON OCCASION THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ENGAGE AND ON OCCASION IT DOES ENGAGE AND WHEN YOU TRY TO SLOW DOWN THE BRAKE BECOMES HARD TO DEPRESS AND THE CAR STARTS TO ACCELERATE BUT REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO DEPRESS BRAKE OR PUMP BRAKES ALLOWS CONTROL AGAIN OVER SPEED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING OVER 45 MPH . AS THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN FOUND AND THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN CRUISE CONTROL HAS BEEN ENGAGED . PROBLEM NOTICED IN 2014 WHEN I GOT CAR TO PRESENT DATE .. NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.
CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND I WRECKED MY CAR INTO INTO A OTHER CAR. I EVEN TRIED PUTTING MY CAR IN PARK AND IT WOULDN'T STOP THE MOTOR WAS REVED UP AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED AND INADVERTENTLY SHIFTED TO A LOWER GEAR. ALSO, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME BUT, PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, WAS HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES FOR OVER A YEAR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A PLASTIC PIECE THAT SEPARATED THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID FRACTURED AND ALLOWED COOLANT TO ENTER THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS; HOWEVER, THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOLLOWED BY FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
RUNNING LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING (ON A CITY STREET), WHEN REPAIRED, WAS DUE TO A WIRE IN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH BURNING OUT AND MELTING THE CASING OF THE MFS
Read 14 more owner reports
VEHICLE RESPOND TO A LIGHT ACCELERATION REQUEST WITH SUSTAIN FULL THROTTLE OPERATION. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED IN POOR ROAD CONDITIONS WITH FULL THROTTLE OPERATION. THE ONLY INFLUENCE IN COURSE CHANGE WAS TERRAIN AND TORQUE STEERING. AFTER COLLISION WITH A STONE PILLAR CODE P0123 THROTTLE HIGH VOLTAGE WAS FOUND.
THE FRONT FRAME THAT HOLDS ENGINE,STRUTS, BRAKES , STEERING ARE ROTTED OUT FROM RUST CAUSING MAJOR ISSUES AND POSSIBLE INJURIES AND DEATH !!!!!!!!!!! CHRYSLER KNOWS OF THESE ISSUES AND WONT DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY WOULD RELEASE OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 7/16/15*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TRANSMISSION COOLER IN RADIATOR LEAKED, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO CONTAMINATE ENGINE, AND ALSO CONTAMINATED TRANSMISSION WITH RADIATOR FLUID. CALLED CHRYSLER CORP AND THEY SAID NO RECALL ON IT AND DID NOT OFFER TO HELP WITH IT. WHEN I GOOGLE SEARCHED THIS PROBLEM THERE SEEMS TO BE MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING. *TR
ON MAY 24, 2013 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WITH ANOTHER EMPLOYEE. WE WERE GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, IT WAS 12:15 IN THE MORNING, AND IT WAS RAINING. I WAS DRIVING IN THE CENTER LANE WHEN MY PASSENGER YELLED OUT THAT THE SEMI TRUCK NEXT TO US WAS MERGING OVER INTO OUR LANE AND WAS ABOUT TO HIT US. I TRIED TO MOVE OVER INTO THE THIRD, LEFT LANE TO AVOID GETTING HIT BY THE TRUCK, BUT AS SOON AS I DID THE CAR LOST CONTROL. IT STARTED TO FISH TAIL AND ENDED UP HITTING THE CENTER WALL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THEN GOT SHOT ACROSS THE HIGHWAY AND INTO THE SEMI TRUCK WE WERE TRYING TO AVOID. THE CAR HIT THE SEMI TRUCK AT AN ANGLE SO THE ENTIRE PASSENGERS SIDE WAS HIT AND CRUSHED, INCLUDING PART OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I BLACKED OUT AS SOON AS WE HIT BECAUSE MY HEAD HIT THE TOP OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOORWAY. I ONLY KNOW THIS BECAUSE I HAD TWO LARGE GOOSE EGGS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY HEAD AND A WHILE AFTER THE ACCIDENT WE WENT TO GO SEE THE CAR AND A LARGE CHUNK OF MY HAIR WAS HANGING FROM THE DOORWAY. THIS IS WHERE THE SEAT BELT COMPLAINT COMES IN. MY SEAT BELT DID NOT SEIZE UP DURING THE COLLISION AND I SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES INCLUDING A CONCUSSION, BROKEN RIB, COLLAPSED LUNG, HOLE IN MY LUNG, AND LACERATED LIVER. MY PASSENGER ALSO SUFFERED EXTREMELY SERIOUS INJURIES INCLUDING CONCUSSION, BOTH LUNG COLLAPSED, MULTIPLE BROKEN RIBS, LACERATED LIVER, BROKEN PELVIS, AND BROKEN HIPS. SHE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR OVER 2 MONTHS AND IS STILL UNABLE TO WALK. I MAKE THIS COMPLAINT FOR THE SEAT BELTS BECAUSE I DO NOT BELIEVE OUR INJURIES WOULD HAVE BEEN AS SERIOUS HAD THEY WORKED PROPERLY. ALSO, THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF AT SOME POINT WITH THE SIDE FRONTAL DAMAGE AT THE VERY LEAST. I AM UNCERTAIN WHETHER MY CAR HAD SIDE AIRBAGS BUT IF THEY DID, THEY DEFINITELY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I WOULD LIKE THIS ISSUE LOOKED INTO AND SOME RESOLVE TO COME FROM IT.
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND HE GOT TO THE DRIVEWAY WHERE WE LIVE AND HIS BACK DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL LOCKED UP. WE TOOK IT TO A SHOP HERE IN RUTHVEN AND THEY TRIED TO FIX IT. WE LATER HAD TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER IN SPENCER IOWA. ASHER MOTORS. IT NEED A BREAK KIT BECAUSE FOR SOME REASON IT HAD COME APART AND THE SPRING WAS MISSING. AND SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE E-BRAKE NOW YESTERDAY THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE PASSENGERS SIDE. I WAS READING UP ON THE OTHERS THAT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH RECALLS ON THERE BREAKS AND THINK THE 2004 SHOULD ALSO BE LOOKED AT. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER NEON OWNERS AND THEY TO HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I CALLED DODGE AND THEY SAID THEY CAN LOOK UP RECALLS AND MY CAR HAS NOT HAD THAT PROBLEM BUT WE CAN SAVE OUR RECORDS AND IF IT IS A RECALL THEN WE CAN FILE TO BE RE PAID BACK. IDK WHAT ALL IS INVOLVED IN GETTING OR EVEN HAVING A RECALL LOOKED INTO BUT THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD START. *TR
JUST HAD THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REPLACED DUE TO A FRIED POWER TRANSISTOR ON THE I/C BOARD. REPAIR LASTED ABOUT 1 HOUR AND THEN REPLACEMENT INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED ALSO. APPEARS TO BE A SHORT IN THE DASH LIGHT CIRCUIT. THIS CAUSES FUSE # 15 TO BLOW WHICH REMOVES POWER FROM THE PARKING LIGHTS, AND THE TAIL LIGHTS. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND I STARTED TO HEAR A STRANGE THUD SOUND OVER AND OVER. I 500 MILES FROM HOME AND FOUND THE NEXT GAS STATION TO PULL INTO. THE RUBBER SEAL THAT IS GLUED IN BETWEEN THE TOP OF MY WINDSHIELD WHERE IT MEETS THE CAR FRAME WAS COMING UNDONE. I TRIED STICKING IT BACK IN THERE AND SITTING IN THE SHADE TO LET THE GLUE/TAR SET. WHEN I DROVE ABOUT 100 MORE MILES THE THUD GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER AND MORE FREQUENT. THEN ALL THE SUDDEN BEFORE I COULD STOP ANYWHERE THE RUBBER SEAL FLEW OFF OF MY CAR. THE FORCE FROM IT FLYING OFF, THE SPEED (ONLY 65 MPH), AND THE WIND SPEED (NOT HIGH) CAUSED MY CAR TO JERK INTO THE LANE NEXT TO ME. LUCKILY THE HIGHWAY I WAS ON WASN'T PACKED SO NO ONE WAS IN THE LANE I WAS PULLED INTO. *TR
THE SEAL THAT IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP WATER FROM ENTERING YOUR TRUNK WHEN IT RAINS HAS FELL OUT OF PLACE. WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED WHEN I OPENED MY TRUNK ONE DAY JUST 3" SECTION CAME OFF TRACK. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH IT BACK INTO PLACE AND THOUGHT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THEN A MONTH LATER IT RAINED AND I HAVE SEVERE WATER DAMAGE TO MY TRUNK LINING AND IT SMELLS LIKE MILDEW MIXED WITH MOLD. I KNOW IN PREVIOUS MODELS THAT WHEN THIS STARTS HAPPENING THE BACK LIGHTS START TO FILL WITH WATER AND CAN SHORT THE FUSES. AS OF RIGHT NOW I DON'T HAVE THE LIGHT PROBLEM BUT I DO HAVE LARGE AREAS WHERE MY TRUNK LINING ARE WARPED INWARDS AND IT WILL NOT GO BACK INTO PLACE. *TR
ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED MY DODGE NEON SXT THE SEAL AT THE BOTTOM OF ALL THE WINDOWS BEGAN TO DRY UP, CRACK, AND FALL OFF. AT THIS POINT I BARELY HAVE ANY SEAL IN BETWEEN ALL 4 OF MY CAR WINDOWS AND THE CAR DOOR. WATER HAS GONE DOWN INTO MY DOOR AND I'M AFRAID THAT IT WILL SOON AFFECT THE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN THE DOOR. MY MAIN CONCERNS ARE THE CONTROLS FOR ADJUSTING MY MIRRORS, MY WINDOW CONTROLS, AND MY DOOR LOCK. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CAR'S SEAL BASICALLY DRY ROT AND FALL OFF OF A CAR STARTING SO EARLY. I WOULD EXPECT IT TO START HAPPENING NOW THAT I'VE HAD THE CAR 8-9 YEARS, BUT NOT TO THIS EXTENT. *TR
I HAVE A DODGE NEON 2004 WHEN DRIVING TO SCHOOL THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN WHICH WAS VERY RISKY. IT WAS REVVING UP TO 3200 RPM ATG 40 MPH I HAD TO PULL BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ALL OF A SUDDEN I SAW A LEAK BEHIND THE PLATE ON THE TRANSMISSION THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TOO BAD. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY RECALL ON THIS CAR BECAUSE I CAN SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINS FROM OTHER INDIVIDUALS ON HERE. THERE ARE A LOT OF SAFETY ISSUES REGARDING THE NEONS REVVING UP OR ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN. *TR
I WAS LEAVING THE PARKING LOT SUNDAY AND SOMETHING SNAPPED. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND CHECKED THE FRONT END AND ONE WHEEL WAS ONE WAY AND OTHER WAS THE OTHER DIRECTION! LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND SAW THAT THE BALL BROKE OUT OF THE SOCKET. IF THAT WOULD OF HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, I WOULD BE DEAD OR SEVERELY INJURED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, HE HEARD A POPPING NOISE. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS OUT FROM ITS SOCKET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 45,000.
Showing 20 of 1,113 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Dodge NEON
These pages show model-year patterns across 6 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Dodge NEON, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Dodge NEON has 1,113 complaints on record across 6 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Dodge NEON has 41 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 204 of the Dodge NEON's 1,113 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Dodge NEON vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Dodge NEON vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Dodge NEON has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the Dodge NEON stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Dodge NEON by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Dodge NEON.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Dodge NEON reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Dodge NEON reliable?
Poor. The Dodge NEON has 1,113 NHTSA owner complaints and 41 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Dodge NEON years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2000 (381 complaints), 2003 (202 complaints), 2002 (186 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Dodge NEON problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (192 complaints); AIR BAGS (177 complaints); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (162 complaints).
Does the Dodge NEON have recalls?
Yes — 41 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Dodge NEON. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.