Model year record

1999 Dodge Neon recalls & problems

The 1999 Dodge Neon has 4 safety recalls and 116 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (59 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints116filed by owners

Crashes · fires21 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths19 · 5reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMay 11, 2009

Headlights

Recall 09E02500042,540 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E04900027,176 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1999 Dodge Neon 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Neon

28mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 36 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Neon

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	59	1	1	0	56,017 mi
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood; Ignition	14	2	3	1	—
Air bagsFrontal	13	11	0	11	86,000 mi
VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly; Defroster/defogger/hvac system	9	0	0	1	60,495 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Driveshaft	9	0	0	0	—
SuspensionFront › Control arm › Lower ball joint	6	2	0	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	6	2	0	1	—
SteeringLinkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm; Hydraulic power assist system	6	3	0	3	13,000 mi
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Anchorage	5	3	1	3	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system; Storage › Tank assembly	5	0	0	0	—
EquipmentElectrical; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	4	0	0	0	24,000 mi
Unknown or other	3	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
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.
Feb 14, 2018
Air bags
THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND IS STAYING ON AT ALL TIMES. ALSO THE HORN DOES NOT WORK THROUGH THE COLUMN.
May 25, 2018 · 102,000 miles
Structure
ON 5/614, I NOTICED A SHREDDED PIECE OF PLASTIC FROM A BLUE TARP WAS UNDER MY 1999 DODGE NEON. APPARENTLY IT HAD BLOWN UNDER THE CAR BY THE WIND. I PULLED THE PLASTIC PIECE OUT FROM UNDER MY CAR, AND IN SO DOING I HEARD A DISTINCT "TWANG" NOISE. CURIOUS, I KNELT DOWN AND PEERED UNDER THE CAR AND WAS HORRIFIED TO SEE ONE OF THE METAL STRAPS THAT HOLDS THE FUEL TANK UP WAS BROKEN DUE TO CORROSION. ONE SECTION WAS HANGING DOWN SEVERAL INCHES, BUT NOT LONG ENOUGH TO REACH THE GROUND. THERE ARE TWO STRAPS THAT HOLD THE TANK IN PLACE, THE SECOND STRAP IS ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY RUSTED BUT STILL APPEARS TO BE INTACT WITH NO APPARENT VISIBLE RUST-THROUGH. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SERIOUS ISSUE. IF BOTH…
May 6, 2014 · 235,500 miles
Structure › Frame and members1 injury
A 20" AREA ON RIGHT-HAND SIDE BETWEEN WINDSHIELD AND DOOR WINDOW WITH MIRROR OBSTRUCTING VIEW FROM DRIVER WHOSE SEAT IS FORWARD BECAUSE OF HEIGHT. *TR
Dec 9, 2009
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
I HAVE A DODGE NEON WHICH KEEPS STALLING IN TRAFFIC. IT KEEPS BLOWING FUSES. IT IS 1999 MODEL. *TR
Apr 28, 2008
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS NOTICED. UPON INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL LINE INTO THE FUEL RAIL HAD DEVELOPED SEVERAL PIN HOLE LEAKS. GASOLINE WAS SPRAYING OUT INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *NM
Aug 16, 2006 · 134,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
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???????*AK
Dec 15, 2004 · 43,950 miles
Steering › Column locking › Anti-theft device
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. *AK
Jul 15, 2004 · 13,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATEClosed
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.
PE02082 · opened Nov 6, 2002 · closed Apr 23, 2003