Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1998 Dodge Neon
NHTSA data on file today
The 1998 Dodge Neon has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 339 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 #99V001000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/BODY SPOT WELDS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 198 complaints
- Air Bags 34 complaints
- Structure 22 complaints
- Electrical System 21 complaints
- Power Train 19 complaints
- Unknown or Other 18 complaints
Of the 339 complaints on file, 43 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 339 complaints, owners report 46 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$7,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1998 Dodge NEON is rated below-average due to frequent engine issues and structural problems with the rear suspension. Recalls for lighting non-compliance and missing suspension welds, combined with high complaint counts for engine cooling and air bags, signal reliability concerns and potential safety issues over time.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine cooling | 80,000–120,000 miles | $500–$1,000 | very common |
| rear suspension | 60,000–100,000 miles | $400–$800 | common |
| air bags | 90,000–130,000 miles | $800–$1,500 | occasional |
| electrical system | 70,000–110,000 miles | $200–$500 | occasional |
| structure body | 50,000–90,000 miles | $300–$700 | 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 changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission fluid changes
- Spark plug replacement
- Timing belt inspection
- Coolant system flush
- Battery check and replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Overheating engine
- Strange suspension noises
- Illuminated airbag warning light
- Electrical system failures
- Corroding or rusty body panels
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1998 Dodge Neon at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.