1999 Dodge Neon Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe external oil leaks traced to the cylinder head gasket, frequently noticed at low mileage and usually handled by replacing the gasket. A second, smaller cluster of complaints involves the steering locking or binding, sometimes in wet weather, and intermittent instrument panel and electrical faults.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Head gasket oil leak

   • 35 complaints (30%)
   • median 56,017 mi at 4.3 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2005

   Owners describe oil leaking steadily from the head gasket area, sometimes enough that they add a quart or two of oil several times a week, with oil visible around the engine block. Several mention oil appearing in the coolant or a cracked radiator found at the same time. According to the complaints, dealers and independent shops typically diagnosed a failed or warped head gasket and quoted repairs ranging roughly from several hundred to about two thousand dollars, with some owners saying dealers offered to cover only part of the cost. Mostly reported between roughly 3,000 and 90,000 miles, with many appearing in the 40,000-70,000 mile range.

   What to check: Check for oil residue around the head and on the block, look for oil film in the coolant, and ask for service records showing whether the head gasket has already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased the car brand new and it currently has 44,000 miles. Engine now leaks large amounts of oil, so badly that I am adding 1-2 quarts 3 times a week. Problem was found to be the head gasket and estimates for repair range from 700-1200.00. How can such a large company scam so many innocent consumers and nothing be done???????”

   NHTSA complaint #10110290, filed 2005-02, 43,950 miles

   “Noticed oil in radiator fluid. Took the car to the local dealer and was told the head gaskets were cracked. Repaired at a cost of $1500. I was told by the dealer they would not cover any of the cost. The vehicle only had 53,000 miles on it. I need any info on how to recoup my money from the dealer or manufacturer.”

   NHTSA complaint #10043758, filed 2003-10, 53,682 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Instrument panel and electrical faults

   • 11 complaints (9%)
   • median 64,085 mi at 4.3 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2018

   Owners describe gauges and warning lights that work intermittently, a speedometer that stops registering, and internal lights flickering on and off. Some point to solder joints on the instrument cluster, though in the complaints this is an owner theory rather than a confirmed finding. Several report the dealer could not identify the fault. Mostly reported above 20,000 miles, with several complaints from vehicles past 80,000 miles.

   What to check: With the engine running, watch the speedometer and other gauges for dropouts, turn on the headlights and indicators together, and ask whether the cluster has ever been repaired or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recently bought a 99 Dodge NEON. The instrument panel as whole works intermittently and oftentimes the speedometer doesn't work even when everything else. After doing some research I have found the the cold soders on the instrument panel are to blame, and are bad on most chrysler vehicles from this error. I feel this should be fixed by the manufacturer.”

   NHTSA complaint #11124007, filed 2018-09

   “Since about three months after getting my 1999 Dodge NEON I started having difficulites with it.ranging from lights comming on and off inside and rough idle.thenthen when the wiring issue was presented for left turn signal popping on and off at will,and the whole car just shutting down while driving on the highway.steering whell locking up and no control over the functions at all then car would not start.I kept taking it in and addressing to crysler that the main engine fuse by the firewall was blowing and was told that it was highly unusual …”

   NHTSA complaint #10070663, filed 2004-01, 24,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls or runs rough, sometimes in wet weather

   • 16 complaints (14%)
   • median 24,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2008

   Owners describe the engine running rough with the check-engine light on, stalling and refusing to restart until it cools, and a loud exhaust or sputtering noise that appears only in rain or after driving through water. Some complaints mention a misfire code and a powertrain control module reprogram, others a fuel pump or radiator repair. Reported from low mileage up to about 150,000 miles, often after rain or puddles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Listen for a rough idle or misfire, check whether the air intake and filter have been getting wet, and ask for any records of PCM reprogramming or ignition-related repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine surged multiple times during the day. Engine has surged, causing vehicle to ram into a garage door, and came close to hitting other passengers' vehicles. Dealership has examined vehicle several times, but could not remedy the problem. Please provide any additional information / attachments.”

   NHTSA complaint #896879, filed 2001-09

   “Taken car in many times for engine checklight --cause #4 cylinder mis-firing or not-firing--light reset-problem keeps returning--cd playes/speakers replaced-cd player skipped frequently-speakers cracked--windshield replaced 10mos after car purchase--unidentified leak--passenger side from under dashboard--window seals replaced-leak continues--leak checked again-dealer claims to find no leak--problem continues.”

   NHTSA complaint #723901, filed 2000-06
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering locks or binds while driving

   • 8 complaints (7%)
   • median 18,500 mi at 5.7 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2004

   Complaints describe the steering suddenly locking or becoming very hard to turn while moving, sometimes pulling the car to one side; a few owners tie it to rain or driving through puddles, others to dry highway driving. Owners report repeated dealer visits where the problem could not be reproduced, and one describes an accident during a highway lane change when the wheel locked. Reported from very low mileage (around 2,800-13,000 miles) up to about 60,000 miles, in both wet and dry conditions.

   What to check: Ask whether the power-steering pump, belt and hoses have been serviced, check belt condition and fluid level, and test-drive at highway speed on a dry day.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving through rain or through a puddle the steering goes out and locks up. When the driver is trying to turn left vehicle will continue to go right. Also, there is an oil leak. It has not been determined from where the leak originated. The vehicle is losing about 2 quarts per day. Components inside the engine compartment are covered with oil, but the dealer has been unable to detect the oil leak.”

   NHTSA complaint #10103789, filed 2004-12, 13,000 miles

   “1999 Dodge NEON sport - steering locks up under vehicle motion, seems to pull car to the side. Has happened on several occasions, the most recent causing an accident. While traveling on a clear, dry day at highway speed (55 MPH+), a lane change from the right to passing lane was attempted. As the vehicle was steered into the left lane, the steering locked up, causing the car to jerk to the right. In an attempt to regain control of the car, the steering suddenly became unlocked, causing over correction. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10098400, filed 2004-11, 61,390 miles

Buying note. On this model year, the head gasket is the item most worth confirming before purchase: check for oil leaks and ask for repair records. Also test the steering, gauges and sunroof during a test drive, since owners report these acting up intermittently.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.