VehicleVerdict

1997 Dodge Neon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 553 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.4 times the median Neon year — the 1997 model ranks #3 of 13 Neon years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 40 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 44% of all reports (244 of 553), far ahead of brakes at 52.

553

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

61

Crash-involved

17

Fires reported

40

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Neon years?

Neon NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted1,415 complaints1993: 4 complaints1994: 10 complaints1995: 1,415 complaints1996: 887 complaints1997: 553 complaints1998: 451 complaints1999: 152 complaints2000: 489 complaints2001: 199 complaints2002: 230 complaints2003: 290 complaints2004: 141 complaints2005: 133 complaints
Neon NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Neon years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Dodge Neon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine24444%
Brakes529%
Airbags417%
Electrical System397%
Transmission275%
Other244%
Body & Structure244%
Seat Belts173%
Steering163%
Lighting163%
Fuel System112%
Speed Control112%
Tires & Wheels92%
Visibility & Wipers92%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)51%
Suspension41%
Seats31%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 1997 Dodge Neon have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

06E060000LightingJune 29, 2006 · 87,745 units

Defect

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy

AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

97V080000AirbagsMay 16, 1997 · 125,000 units

Defect

THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESIGN ALLOWS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN.

Consequence

UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE 1 MO. AGO. PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE IN THREE YEAR OLD VEHICLE. AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR-END COLLISION. DEALER WILL BE CONTACTED, HOWEVER CHRYSLER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS SINCE THESE PROBLEMS APPEAR TO BE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 1, 2000 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, APPLYING THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP AND VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND. HAD A ROLLOVER IN WHICH THE DEFECTIVE SEATBELT UNLATCHED DURING THE ACCIDENT, AND AFTER ROLLOVER WAS COMPLETED THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DEFLATED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 16, 1998 · crash

“TURNED ON THE CAR WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, PUT CAR IN DRIVE, REMOVED FOOT FROM BRAKE AND CAR ACCELERATED AND HIT HEAD ON A 1999 DODGE DAKOTA. PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AS CAR SPED ACROSS THE LOT AND NOTHING HAPPENED. ENGINE MADE HIGH PITCHED WHIRRING NOISE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY INCIDENT RESEMBLES THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 2, 1999 · crash

“DRIVING 55MPH & NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. SMOKE NOTICEABLE HEAVIER INSIDE VEHICLE. LIFTED HOOD & FLAMES WERE AROUND ENGINE AREA. FIRE DEPT CALLED & PUT FLAMES OUT. WAS HARD TO DETERMINE ORIGIN OF FIRE, BUT INDICATED IT WAS ELECTRICAL WIRING. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 13, 1999 · fire

“VEHICLE WAS PARKED, CHILD'S FOOT HIT THE GEAR SHIFT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO GET A BAG OUT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK. ACCIDENT OCCURRED, HITTING VARIOUS THINGS. DEALER CONTACTED AND INSPECTED VEHICLE. STATED OWNER'S MANUAL PARKING BRAKE SHOULD BE ON, AND KEYS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED. CONSUMER SAID…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 11, 1998 · crash

1997 Dodge Neon — common questions

Is the 1997 Dodge Neon reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 553 complaints put the 1997 model at #3 of 13 Neon years. It is one of the Neon years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 Neon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (244 complaints), brakes (52 complaints), airbags (41 complaints).

Does the 1997 Dodge Neon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Dodge Neon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Dodge Neon under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Neon years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Neon years to avoid are 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 1998. The cleanest record among Neon years belongs to 1993.

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.