VehicleVerdict

1996 Dodge Neon engine problems

The 1996 Dodge Neon has 375 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 42% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

375

Engine complaints

42%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Neon engine complaints by model year375 complaints1993: 1 complaints1994: 2 complaints1995: 336 complaints1996: 375 complaints1997: 244 complaints1998: 219 complaints1999: 59 complaints2000: 56 complaints2001: 19 complaints2002: 35 complaints2003: 21 complaints2004: 26 complaints2005: 17 complaints
Neon engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

WHILE DRIVING WITH HEATER ON, CONSUMER STARTED TO SMELL GASOLINE INSIDE VEHICLE. PULLED OVER AND STOPPED. TRIED TO LIFT HOOD, BUT NOTICED FLAMES SHOOTING OUT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED HOME. CONTACTED INSURANCE COMPANY AND AN INSPECTOR WAS SENT TO CHECK. INDICATED ENGINE LEAK CAUSED FLAMES. INFORMATION…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 27, 2001 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 1996 Dodge Neon have?

NHTSA has 375 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Neon engine — 42% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.