VehicleVerdict

1998 Dodge Neon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 451 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median Neon year — the 1998 model ranks #5 of 13 Neon years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 61 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 49% of all reports (219 of 451), far ahead of airbags at 34.

451

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

56

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

61

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Neon years?

Neon NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 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, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Neon years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Dodge Neon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine21949%
Airbags348%
Electrical System256%
Body & Structure235%
Other215%
Transmission204%
Visibility & Wipers174%
Suspension143%
Steering133%
Brakes133%
Speed Control112%
Fuel System102%
Lighting92%
Seat Belts72%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)61%
Tires & Wheels51%
Seats41%

Does the 1998 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.

99V001000Body & StructureJanuary 7, 1999 · 3,683 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MAY BE MISSING SPOT WELDS.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN STRUCTURAL CRACKS IN THE BODY, AND REDUCED CRASH PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MISSING WELDS, AND WILL HAVE STRUCTURAL RIVETS INSTALLED IN PLACE OF THE MISSING WELDS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE STALLED OUT WHEN STOPPED ON ONE OCCASION, THEN STALLED OUT AGAIN WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING DRIVER TO BE UNABLE TO STOP. BRAKES WENT OUT AND FRONTAL IMPACT OCCURRED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 1, 1998 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THERE WAS A 4-CAR ACCIDENT, AND CONSUMER REAR ENDED THE 4TH CAR. BOUNCED OFF, AND THE CAR BEHIND CONSUMER'S, HIT IT AT ABOUT 40 MPH. THEN CONSUMER'S CAR HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT THREE TIMES. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER SAID AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AT 20…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 23, 2000 · crash

“CONSUMER WAS APPROX. 60MPH IN THE SLOW LANE WHEN A 18 WHEELER CROSSED OVER THE LINE AND SIDE SWIPED VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO GIVE WARNING TO DRIVER DUE TO THE HORN WOULD NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 12, 1998 · crash

“VEHICLE BOUGHT, HOWEVER HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY WRECKED, THE VEHICLE HAS MANY (NUMEROUS) PROBLEMS DUE TO PRIOR WRECK, DEALER MADE FALSE STATEMENTS AND PRACTICED POSSIBLE FRAUDULENT ACTS. *MJS”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · crash

“AFTER NUMEROUS OIL CHANGES, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT SUDDENLY STARTED FLASHING WHILE ON EXPRESSWAY AND CAR LURCHED, THEN SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. AT DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT ENGINE THREW A ROD THROUGH THE OIL PAN. I'M CONVINCED THIS IS RELATED TO THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE HEAD GASKET IN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 14, 2001

1998 Dodge Neon — common questions

Is the 1998 Dodge Neon reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 451 complaints put the 1998 model at #5 of 13 Neon years. It is one of the Neon years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Neon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (219 complaints), airbags (34 complaints), electrical system (25 complaints).

Does the 1998 Dodge Neon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Dodge Neon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 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.