1997 Dodge Neon Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 222about this part
- Share
- 57%of 390 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 222 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Dodge Neon, 57% of the 390 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Through the life of owning this car. I have had to replace the head gasket several times 3 times in last 2 years alone and replace the engine. The head gasket still leaks and no one can seem to fix it even the dealer. I have talked to other people that have neons and they are experiencing the same exact head gasket problem. Why hasn't there been a recall for this. This is an extremely costly repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10216755, filed 2008-02, 89,500 miles“I just bought this 97 Dodge NEON with only 23,000 miles on it. The A/C has a leak in the coil , the transmission is slipping . The car is in great shape but those few things so far . The person who owned the car before me was an older gentleman who does not wreck his things. I was wondering are these problems, factory problems and/or recalls?”
NHTSA complaint #10043303, filed 2003-10, 23,000 miles“Dodge NEON 1997, I found out today the head gasket was cracked, I was told by 4 different mechanics, 2 were Dodge mechanics, that they are always fixing the head gaskets and it was a design flaw, the gasket was too thin, I have changed the oil every 2500-3000 miles the car was never run hard and is very well maintained they need to issue a recall for this problem. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #10005057, filed 2003-02, 50,000 miles“I purchased this vehicle 5-15-03 and noticed an oil leak the size of a 50 cent piece every time the vehicle was driven. When purchasing I asked if the head gasket problems had been taken care of on NEON's, and was told it is not an issue anymore. I had an oil change today 7-18-03 and was told that I needed a new head gasket and it was an often done repair at a cost of $700.00! …”
NHTSA complaint #10028588, filed 2003-07, 79,000 miles“I own a 1997 Dodge NEON - a model (and apparently, the Dodge brand itself) that has a reputation for blowing head gaskets at about 60,000 miles because of a poor composite material the gaskets were made out of. Just today, I found the tell-tale sign of fluid mixture (oil in my coolant lines) that indicates a head gasket failure. I called chrysler and explained my situation, and the customer service rep told me that based on my car's year and the mileage (approx 54800), there was nothing they could do. …”
NHTSA complaint #10054529, filed 2004-01, 54,800 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 1997 Dodge Neon
47 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 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