1996 Dodge Neon Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 4%of 611 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 88,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the body and structure of the 1996 Dodge Neon, 4% of the 611 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 88,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“- the contact owns a 1996 Dodge NEON. The contact stated that the paint on the vehicle was chipping on the trunk of the vehicle. The contact stated that every 1996 white Dodge NEON that she saw had the same problem with the paint chipping on the trunk of the vehicle. The failure and current mileage were both 132,000 .”
NHTSA complaint #10185317, filed 2007-03, 132,000 miles“The paint peeled off the entire roof in a period of one or two days. The weather was fair and the car was not exposed to any substances that might be damaging to the paint. Now the sides of the car are beginning to peel as well (7/2003). I have seen many other NEON's of the same color (bright purple-blue) with paint peeling off in huge chunks.”
NHTSA complaint #10025875, filed 2003-07, 58,000 miles“There are so many things wrong with this car. Thankfully, none of them mechanical, but costly still. The door panels on my 2 door keep on getting disconnected from the door frame due to substandard (in my book anyway) anchors between the door frame and the panels. This has happened numerous times on the drivers side, and once on the passengers side. It makes it very difficult getting in and out of the car. I get the issue fixed, and within an few months it's broken again. The antenna broke off at the base and flew off somewhere on the highway this winter (2004). The paint is peeling off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10067743, filed 2004-04“Every time it rains, water comes in through the area where the back passenger door meets with the body of the car, causing rain to pool on the floor of the back seat and then the seat gets wet and the back of the seat also. I have made sure that window and door are securely closed. I can see no obvious reason for the rain to be getting into the car. It only does it on the back passenger side. Please advise me of ways to remedy this situation as soon as possible. The car is in mint condition and I wold like to keep it that way. …”
NHTSA complaint #721722, filed 2000-04Related service bulletins
- 10220101Nov 20, 2019Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
- 10220099Nov 20, 2019Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage…
- 10220097Nov 20, 2019Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
- 10169245Nov 20, 2019Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 14 | 15% |
| 2004 | 6 | 6% |
| 2003 | 11 | 5% |
| 2002 | 21 | 12% |
| 2001 | 13 | 9% |
| 2000 | 33 | 10% |
| 1999 | 3 | 3% |
| 1998 | 22 | 6% |
| 1997 | 24 | 6% |
| 1996 | 23 | 4% |
| 1995 | 20 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1996 Dodge Neon
340 complaintsElectrical system
93 complaintsBrakes
89 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
47 complaintsAir bags
44 complaintsOther or unknown
37 complaintsSteering
24 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