1996 Dodge Neon: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Dodge Neon: 2 recalls, 611 owner complaints and up to 28 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 5 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #96V026000 · 1996 · 15,000 vehicles
What's wrong: An engine wiring harness can short circuit due to contact with the exhaust gas recirculation tube..
Why it matters: Shorting of the wiring harness can cause various electrical malfunctions, including engine stalling.
The fix: Dealers will reroute the engine wiring harness properly and any wire that has been damaged will be replaced.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #96V075000 · 1996 · 151,800 vehicles
What's wrong: The brake master cylinder can leak brake fluid due to a damaged double lip rear piston seal.
Why it matters: Brake fluid leakage can result in diminished effectiveness of one half of the split brake system. The instrument panel warning light(s) will signal system impairment prior to partial brake system loss.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rear brake master cylindr piston assembly.
5 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E049000 · 2006 · 27,176 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E060000 · 2006 · 87,745 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and May possibly result in a vehicle crash
The fix: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 32 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (340): the most common themes are leaks (152), stalls / loses power (27), fire / smoke (21).
- Electrical (93): the most common themes are electrical failure (43), stalls / loses power (26), leaks (10).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (88): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (22), noise or vibration (17), leaks (12).
- Transmission & drivetrain (47): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (12), leaks (7).
The 1996 Dodge Neon has 611 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 13 Neon model years for complaints (2.3× the average Neon year). Complaints peaked in 1999 (133 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 81,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (976 complaints, 6 recalls), 1997 (390 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 35 | 28 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1996 Dodge Neon.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1996 Dodge Neon have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1996 Dodge Neon, plus 5 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1996 Dodge Neon problems?
Owners have filed 611 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (340), electrical (93), brakes (hydraulic) (88).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Dodge Neon get?
EPA ratings run up to 28 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1996 Dodge Neon repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.