1996 Dodge Neon Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 7%of 611 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Dodge Neon, 7% of the 611 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles. 32 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The vehicle horn sounded on its own. Consumer stated the only way to stop horn from blowing was to disconnect the fuse. Ts horn continued to sound after fuse replacement. Consumer had to bang on horn switch in order to stop sound. Horn switch is part of air bag assembly therefore air bag assembly needed to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #8023614, filed 2002-12, 73,000 miles“While driving the air bag light came on, then the horn and the cruise control failed to function. The mechanic replaced the clock spring. Please provide more details. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #10005954, filed 2003-01, 30,000 miles“Heavy collision damage to rightt front. Driver side airbag deployed, rt side airbag did not deploy. Accident was heavy impact. Manufacturer contacted 2/2/99, said they would get back with me 2/3. As of 2/3 5:00 pm they are ignoring the claim. I am a body shop manager and am reporting this as a favor to the owner. Vehicle is currently waiting to be towed to a salvage vehicle sale lot. Please investigate a.s.a.p.”
NHTSA complaint #702905, filed 1999-02“In august of 1999, due to a health problem (unknown to me), I fell asleep at the wheel of my 1996 NEON. I awoke in time to force the car over to a grassy median between two parts of a four lane highway. The car flew twenty or so feet in the air, making impact with the grass, and continuing without power steering, etc., for approximately. 300 feet. While in the air, my left arm broke the driver side window. When the car landed dead on to the grass, the air bags burst, but wilted down, they did not come straight out at me as normal, but down, after exploding. …”
NHTSA complaint #10008498, filed 2003-03“It would be next to impossible to describe each problem. All problems that I have listed are completely true. I can say with complete certainty that the problems occurred after the 75000 mile waranty I bought was over with the exception of the EGR valve which the dealer replaced just to have it fail again. Also the dealer replaced the o2 sensor which again is failing again. The horn/airbag sensor was also replaced by the dealer. Please note that all repaires by the dealer was (a) before the waranty had expired, and (b) I had to call chrysler and complain just to have those things fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #719509, filed 2000-03Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 14 | 15% |
| 2004 | 14 | 15% |
| 2003 | 20 | 10% |
| 2002 | 22 | 13% |
| 2001 | 33 | 23% |
| 2000 | 71 | 21% |
| 1999 | 12 | 10% |
| 1998 | 34 | 10% |
| 1997 | 41 | 11% |
| 1996 | 44 | 7% |
| 1995 | 106 | 11% |
| 1994 | 2 | 22% |
Other parts of the 1996 Dodge Neon
340 complaintsElectrical system
93 complaintsBrakes
89 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
47 complaintsOther or unknown
37 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsEquipment
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Dodge Neon
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology