Dodge / Neon / 1999

1999 Dodge Neon problems

Owners have filed 152 complaints about the 1999 Dodge Neon with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 38.8% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of electrical system at 9.2%.

Complaints152

Crashes29

Fires5

Injuries24

Deaths10

What owners report breaking

Engine and engine cooling 38.8% · 59

Electrical system 9.2% · 14

Air bags 8.6% · 13

Power train 5.9% · 9

Visibility 5.9% · 9

Steering 3.9% · 6

Suspension 3.9% · 6

Service brakes, hydraulic 3.9% · 6

Severity

Of those complaints, 29 describe a crash, 5 describe a fire, 24 report an injury and 10 report a death.

Reading the numbers

Across the 11 model years of the Dodge Neon in this data, 1999 draws comparatively few complaints; 1995 is the outlier year.

Filings are rising — 5 in the last three years against 3 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.

The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 59,995 miles.

In owners' own words

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. Engine and engine cooling

Intermittent engine dies and will not restart until car sets and cools down for a while, diagnose fuel pump to be the cause of engine stalling. On another occassion check engine light on, has been looked at several times and told it has a tsb open, test drove and installed drb. #4 Cylinder misfire. Erase dtc and retest, no misfire present. Reprogram pcm per tsb 18-46-98 test drove ok. Defective radiator (repair), Engine and engine cooling

We are upset because the head gasket should not be a regular problem. We were told that all the garages do all day long is replace head gaskets. My brother-in-law buys cars at auctions and he told us that dealer will not even buy neons because they are noted for the head gasket going out. We were also told that there may be a recall on this. I am wanting info about this problem with your vehicle. Engine and engine cooling

Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Safety recalls

Checking NHTSA for open recalls…

Other Dodge Neon years

1996 887 complaints · 42.2% engine and engine cooling 1997 553 complaints · 44.1% engine and engine cooling 1998 451 complaints · 48.6% engine and engine cooling 2000 489 complaints · 14.9% service brakes, hydraulic 2001 199 complaints · 16.6% air bags 2002 230 complaints · 16.5% power train

Compare all 11 model years →