Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1996 Dodge Neon
NHTSA data on file today
The 1996 Dodge Neon has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 609 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09E025000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E060000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E049000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E026000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #96V075000 Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Master Cylinder NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #96V026000 Electrical System — Wiring — Front Underhood NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 330 complaints
- Electrical System 88 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 79 complaints
- Air Bags 44 complaints
- Power Train 42 complaints
- Unknown or Other 37 complaints
Of the 609 complaints on file, 46 report a crash and 5 a fire; across all 609 complaints, owners report 32 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $3,500–$5,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1996 Dodge NEON has a below-average reliability rating due to significant issues with the brake master cylinder, engine wiring, and exterior lighting. Recalls point to potential safety hazards, especially with the brakes and electrical system, which can lead to higher repair costs and potential operational risks. Consumers should be cognizant of these factors as they affect overall vehicle dependability and ownership experience.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| brake master cylinder | 50,000–100,000 miles | $150–$400 | very common |
| engine wiring harness | 40,000–80,000 miles | $200–$600 | common |
| headlights | 30,000–70,000 miles | $100–$250 | common |
| EGR tube | 60,000–100,000 miles | $120–$250 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 20,000 miles
- Cooling system flush every 30,000 miles
- Inspect spark plugs every 30,000 miles
- Replace air filter every 15,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Brake fluid leaks
- Electrical shorts
- Rough engine idle
- Dim or flickering lights
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1996 Dodge Neon at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.