1997 Dodge Neon Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 11%of 390 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 123,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Dodge Neon, 11% of the 390 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 123,000 miles. 31 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“- the contact was exiting the parking complex while driving the 1997 Dodge NEON at 5 MPH, when the airbags deployed without warning. This caused the windows on both doors to shatter, and the dashboard and air conditioner vents to come off. The vehicle did not strike or hit anything to cause the airbags to deploy. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause. The vehicle currently has 108000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10184568, filed 2007-03, 108,000 miles“Passenger side air bag randomly deployed, while going 4 miles per hour, there was no impact to initiate the deployment of airbag. The deployment busted out the passenger side airbag with such force that it blew glass to the complete other side of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10242464, filed 2008-09, 140,000 miles“Contact states: while driving approximately 35 MPH the consumer swerved to avoid hitting another car, however his door was scratched, then the vehicle stalled and the air bags deployed. The consumer suffered a minor injury to his wrist due to the deployment of the air bag.”
NHTSA complaint #10126850, filed 2005-07, 138,000 miles“Consumer stated her brakes failed. There was a multi-car accident on the beltway. As she approached she saw the truck in front of her apply his brakes, she then applied her brakes. Her vehicle did not stop and the vehicle rear ended the truck in front of her. The air bags did not deploy, and she received some musculoskeletal injuries and was very sore. Her vehicle was totaled. Daimlerchrysler won't claim any responsibility for the defect on the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10032439, filed 2003-09, 62,000 miles“Driving at 35 MPH, a pickup truck pulled out in front of and I crashed into the drivers side door. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy, the seat belt did not restrain me from slamming forward, and the seat lock did not engage. The chrysler investigator claims that all three restraint systems worked properly yet the dealer replaced both the seat belts and the seat locks.”
NHTSA complaint #752737, filed 2001-09Related recalls
- 97V080000May 16, 1997The electrical circuit design allows the potential for an inadvertent air bag deployment upon vehicle ignition shut down.Covers: Dodge Neon 1997, Jeep Wrangler 1997, Grand Cherokee 1997 +3 more
Air 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 1997 Dodge Neon
222 complaintsBrakes
47 complaintsElectrical system
33 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsSeat belts
17 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsEquipment
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Dodge Neon
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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