1996 Dodge Neon Standard from North America - Comments

I agreed to purchase this car if the trunk was fixed so that it would no longer leak. It was, but shortly after purchasing it begun to collect 2 inches of water in the tire well.

Six weeks after purchasing, transmission pan began to leak.

Noticeable popping/rumbling noise from front end were heard shortly after purchasing. This turned out to be a bad driver's side axle.

Nine months after purchase the car began to over heat. Had to replace thermostat which was removed in pieces.

Back up lights would come on during breaking with headlights on. This turned out to be a lose ground wire on tail lights.

Headlights flicker while Air conditioning is on. Manufacturing problem that was never recalled.

Soon after check engine light came on. After the trouble codes had been pulled the car was diagnosed with a EGR valve failure.

Car stalled at a stop light about a year after purchasing. This was the fault of a loose ground wire on fuel pump.

Horrible drive ability over bumps and corners due to shock failer. It's like riding in a bus.

Transmission had problems shifting into reverse from the time of purchase. Year and a half after purchase my transmission runs only in first gear, but then only sometimes. I no longer have reverse and trouble codes point to miscommunication between the car's computer and torque converter.

I also go through a quart of oil every 2 weeks or so due to either blown head gasket or leaking valve cover seals. You can pull one of the spark plugs and it drips oil.

Gas millage is around to 24 miles per gallon in town, but that is in part due to the EGR valve failing.

Several speakers have gone and I do not listen to my radio even remotely loud.

This is by far not a roomy car. The trunk hardly fits the tire more or less something as common as groceries. Has no power and is very dangerous for this reason when it comes to pulling out into traffic.

It is common knowledge that the 95 and 96 models of this car blow head gaskets. They were never recalled. This car is the worst car I have ever owned and I will never purchase another Dodge again. It's not drivable and I still owe $3,100 on it and spend $115 a month on insurance which the bank requires me to keep.

I think if I was to say anything positive about the car I would have to say it handles very well on curves. The air conditioner and heater work well.

Obviously, this person bought a very used and not well taken care of Neon. When we bought our '96 Neon, it had 28,000 miles on it. That was over 5 years ago. Over the last 5 years, I had the same problem with the trunk lid seal. Not a big deal, replace it and be on your way. Now after 100,000 miles, the cam seal does leak a bit, but not real bad. The only major problem I had was last year the automatic transmission went out and had to be rebuilt. Other than that, I haven't had too many problems.

The best advice I can give is to check out your "used" car very carefully to be sure it was not abused.

Dodge Neons are like fragile tempered glass, you put a little scratch on the glass and it all shatters into little bits if you know what I mean.

I bought a 98 Neon brand new and the STUPID TRANSMISSION WENT OUT TWICE AND THE STUPID HEAD GASKET BLEW 4 TIMES. I am a mechanic and I try to maintain this car well. The car only has 167,000 miles on it.

I am selling it and I have already bought a Honda Civic.

STAY AWAY FROM WAAA CRYYY CHRYSLER!!! THIS CAR HAS MADE ME CRY MANY TIMES!!!

Yes, it is true. NO matter whether you take great care of the Neon or not, it will hurt you bad. I have done some investigation and yes the predominant problems are.

Rusted Head Gasket.

Cam Seal falls out.

Rear Main Seal falls out.

There is a revised MLS Head Gasket that corrects that.

After market cam and rear main seals will fix the flawed Chystler ones. The only reason they fall out is that they are not tapered or staked to the motor, Simply, oil pressure blows them out.

I also noticed that the foam that seals the tail lights dries out after several years and flattens, allowing water to seep into the trunk. I removed them, brushed the foam with a stiff brush and coated the foam with wheel bearing grease. Then cleaned the body mounting surface with glass cleaner and reinstalled them, no further problems.

BUT, could someone tell me what this EGR problem really is. I have replaced the valve with a known good used one and the code and condition still exists. Car idles rough, stumbles on acceleration and has a failed EGR Circuit code.

Thanks in advance.

Mike Springfield, Vermont samisdad2001@yahoo.com.

When buying a used Neon, remember it is an entry level vehicle, not a luxury car. You get what you pay for. A Civic may or may not be more reliable, but it WILL cost more to buy and fix. I purchased my Neon with 68,000 miles on it back in '97. It now has 230,000, has been beaten on and is still going strong.

I bought my 96 Neon just to drive to and from work with 70K miles on it. I have had it 2 years and it now has 125k miles. The auto trans is still shifting great and the stock head gasket is sealing fine. It does leak some oil from somewhere under the car, but it doesn't even show any loss on the stick between oil changes. I haven't had to put ANY money into this car besides oil/filter changes and gas. I beat it to death every day to and from work doing 80+mph on the highway, still getting 30mpg!!! I love my little Neon!

My '96 Neon has had problems, but far fewer than most inexpensive cars I've owned. Yes, the head gasket went at 70,000 miles. I got Chrysler to pick up the parts costs with a little talking. Yes, it uses oil. I keep a case in the trunk, and truthfully, I add a quart about every 800 to 1,200 miles, depending on the kind of driving I do and how new the oil is. But after 157,000 miles, I'm on the original clutch, original exhaust, original air-conditioning compressor and original brake rotors. Other than accident-related items, I have replaced brake pads once (90,000 rear, 110,000 front, which shocked me), the turn signal switch twice (once on warranty, no cost) and the HVAC fan once (about $120). I also have replaced belts, which are typical wear-and-tear items, and had the water pump replaced with the timing belt as preventive maintenance. Other than that, wiper blades and bulbs, and the speakers are shot. It still gives me 32-35 mpg week in and week out. And after having the valve train cleaned with some stuff my mechanic put into the fuel line just above the throttle body and injectors, it's still very quick and winds to redline. (That also reduced oil consumption.) My 2000 Ford Focus needed much more work than that in the first 32,000 miles.

I have a 98 neon. bought it march 99 used with 8k miles on it. As of today it has a little over 121k miles now. Shortly after purchasing it, I had went to get new tires - one of the techs at the tire center noticed it was leaking oil (I knew, but had not scheduled maint yet). He said he remembered hearing about bad gasket design, and suggested I make sure the repair place used the newer style. Well, after THREE visits to the shop, they replaced the 3 gaskets that typically leak oil on the neon. Thank goodness that was back when it was still under warranty. Needless to say, I was worried, and was thinking I now owned a car that would become a money pit. I'm happy to report that was FAR from it. Since that time the ONLY work that has ever been done to it is: Tires, Brake Pads (1 set at 116k), Oil Changes, & 1 set of plugs & wires. Everything else, such as battery, exhaust, timing belt, etc is all original on it. It leaks just a little oil - I check it weekly, and end up adding about 1 quart per month (less in winter). About a year and a half ago, my 'check engine' light came on. It's the EGR Valve (ODBII or whatever computer checkout code). I never bothered to fix it cause the car still performed beautifully. Well, the state I'm in (Ohio) has a fairly new emissions check that relies on the car's diagnostic codes, so the fact that it thinks the valve is bad caused an automatic failure on the test, so I'll finally have to get it fixed, and I don't mind at all! I just want to say that I am unbelievably happy with my Neon. I've honestly neglected the standard maintenance, but it's never failed me yet. So, keep in mind that for every horror story you read above, you'll probably have just as many HAPPY owners who don't bother to post - the UNhappy ones are typically the most vocal. Great car. My next one will definately be another Neon - hopefully the SRT4 if I can afford it. ;-) See ya.

I own a 96 single overhead cam dodge neon. I bought it with 55,000 miles on it. It has done just great until recently, the transmission is acting up. It goes up to 8 and 9 thousand rpm before it will change out of any gear. It also slips the belt while going down the road, and jerks it around.

I purchased a 1998 Neon R/T new and it runs like a top, even though it was drag raced for the first two years I owned it. Just replaced brake pads and tires.