1996 Dodge Neon Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 340about this part
- Share
- 56%of 611 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 340 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Dodge Neon, 56% of the 611 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1996 Dodge NEON with a little over 70,000 miles on it. Car is leaking oil..according to mechanic, the head gasket needs to be replaced at a cost of $700-$800. Mechanic indicated that this is a very common problem with the NEON. I would like to know if there is a recall on this issue. If not, is there any steps I can take to have this cost paid by Dodge? Ts”
NHTSA complaint #10000506, filed 2003-01, 70,000 miles“My 1996 Dodge NEON had two head gasket failures to date now. The first was repaired 29,000 miles ago, and now, at 89,000 miles, I had another head gasket fail on me. The car is also peeling paint excessively. Instead of under ten years old, the car looks over twenty years old!”
NHTSA complaint #10010376, filed 2003-03, 88,000 miles“Recently (in october), the car stalls intermittently. I happens in low speed and when I don't add oil. There is a oil warning together with the stalling. Usually I can not start the car right then. But if I add oil immediately and keep adding oil when I turn on the key, I can turn on the car. When I release the oil press, the engine stalls again. I tried twice in the local Dodge dealer. They can not fix it and can not find the real problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10071098, filed 2004-01, 94,000 miles“I have had ongoing problems with my 1996 Dodge NEON sport, it has been inoperable for the last year or so, due to electrical problems and stalling which I believe stem from the wiring harness. I have had the brakes replaced a few times, the A/C replaced, fuel injection acts up and the fuel gauge fluctuates, my transmission has started slipping, power steering and exhaust are leaking, numerous oil leaks, rear lights/ brake lights have not worked in over a year, driverside window broke along the extending arm inside of the door frame, trunk release is broken and my cruise control is broken! …”
NHTSA complaint #10143833, filed 2005-11, 50,000 miles“The consumer stated while approaching a stop vehicle idled/slowed down, and died. The consumer had to restart it. This happened continuously. The consumer had taken the vehicle to several dealers, and they could not resolve the problem. The consumer stated that one dealer charged him $700.00 for repairs, but it did not fix the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10091991, filed 2004-10, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10191460Feb 26, 2016Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 12 | 13% |
| 2004 | 20 | 21% |
| 2003 | 18 | 9% |
| 2002 | 28 | 16% |
| 2001 | 17 | 12% |
| 2000 | 54 | 16% |
| 1999 | 55 | 47% |
| 1998 | 199 | 59% |
| 1997 | 222 | 57% |
| 1996 | 340 | 56% |
| 1995 | 294 | 30% |
| 1994 | 2 | 22% |
Other parts of the 1996 Dodge Neon
93 complaintsBrakes
89 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
47 complaintsAir bags
44 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 27, 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