1997 Dodge Neon Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 47about this part
- Share
- 12%of 390 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 47 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Dodge Neon, 12% of the 390 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,000 miles. 10 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.
“Head gasket needed to be replace after 45,000 miles.. Bought the car in 2002.. Bbrakes are horrible.. Brakes make noise, system operating normal fan relay switch .. Needed to be replaced.. And was also recalled.. In about 3 years ago.. And never notified.. Front end always clanking.. When u turn..”
NHTSA complaint #10129445, filed 2005-07, 48,000 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“Speed control speedometer doesn't work most of the time. Replace the sencsor but still doesn't work. I will never buy a Dodge again. I've also had to replace the brakes and rotor,catalytic converter. Now I'm having trouble with the paint. It's bubling and peeling off in layers all over car.”
NHTSA complaint #10025874, filed 2003-07“Like so many others, the head gasket on my young NEON has blown.I have also had problems with brakes squealing, power steering locking up in wet weather and the turn signal now only works when it feels like it. The radio had to be replaced the first year I owned the car - and it took the dealer nearly a month to get that done.”
NHTSA complaint #718253, filed 2000-02“My first complaint would be about the paint. My car has been peeling for the past 2 years now, it bubbles then peels and gets bigger and bigger every day. It is now peeling in 6 spots, the largest is the size of a watermelon. Very unhappy!!!! Second, the brakes are horrible, the squealing of metal on metal has been occurring since day 1 of getting my car. I was recently driving on a major highway and my steering wheel began shaking like crazy. I pulled over and everything seemed fine. I continued to drive but could not accelerate faster than 60km/hr. …”
NHTSA complaint #10155727, filed 2006-04Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 10 | 10% |
| 2004 | 9 | 10% |
| 2003 | 18 | 9% |
| 2002 | 18 | 10% |
| 2001 | 21 | 14% |
| 2000 | 69 | 20% |
| 1999 | 5 | 4% |
| 1998 | 12 | 4% |
| 1997 | 47 | 12% |
| 1996 | 89 | 15% |
| 1995 | 215 | 22% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge Neon
222 complaintsAir bags
41 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