The most-reported Neon run is 1B3ES46C2YD (2000 builds) with 23 complaints, 8.5× the typical run. Engine and engine cooling problems make up 33% of reports; 2000 is the worst model year at 3.8 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 23 recall campaigns for Neon model years 1995–2005.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Dodge Neon has 951 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 4% of every Neon complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B3ES46C2YD•••••• | 2000 | 4 | 1 | |
| 1B3ES47C1SD•••••• | 1995 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1B3ES46C9YD•••••• | 2000 | 4 | — | |
| 1B3ES47C9SD•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| 1B3ES46C3YD•••••• | 2000 | 3 | 1 | |
| 1B3ES47C2SD•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| 1B3ES46C1YD•••••• | 2000 | 4 | — | |
| 1B3ES46C8YD•••••• | 2000 | 4 | — | |
| 1B3ES47CXSD•••••• | 1995 | — | 2 | |
| 1B3ES47C6SD•••••• | 1995 | — | 1 | |
| 1B3ES47C7SD•••••• | 1995 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1B3ES47C3TD•••••• | 1996 | — | — |
Each of the other 939 Neon runs has 16 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Dodge Neon the gap between build years is 3.8×: a 2000 car draws 3.8 complaints per run, a 1994 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 73 | 25 | 19 | |
| 2004 | 68 | 28 | 16 | |
| 2003 | 141 | 44 | 16 | |
| 2002 | 123 | 56 | 20 | |
| 2001 | 100 | 27 | 20 | |
| 2000 | 242 | 63 | 43 | |
| 1999 | 78 | 55 | 16 | |
| 1998 | 241 | 97 | 31 | |
| 1997 | 288 | 135 | 37 | |
| 1996 | 448 | 172 | 35 | |
| 1995 | 724 | 263 | 84 | |
| 1994 | 3 | 3 | — |
Heaviest year here is 2000 at 3.8 complaints per run; lightest is 1994 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 33% of everything Dodge Neon owners report: Engine And Engine Cooling, 909 of 2,529 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 14 | 14 | |
| Service Brakes | 61 | 6 | |
| Hydraulic | 58 | 5 | |
| Electrical System | 10 | 43 | |
| Air Bags | 207 | 10 | |
| Power Train | 12 | — | |
| Steering | 31 | 7 | |
| Structure | 9 | 3 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 23 recall campaigns on the Dodge Neon; the 6 below cover build years 1995 to 2005. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 09E012000 | Exterior Lighting | 1995–2005 |
| 06E049000 | Exterior Lighting | 1995–2005 |
| 06E026000 | Exterior Lighting | 1995–2005 |
| 09E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1995–2002 |
| 08E033000 | Suspension | 2000–2005 |
| 08E050000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 2000–2004 |
The Neon against its rivals
The Neon draws 2.7 complaints per production run; the Ford Escort 2.5. That is the highest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Neon | 2,529 | 951 | 13.3% | |
| Ford Escort | 2,850 | 1,160 | 11.9% |
How serious were they
Of the 2,529 reports on the Dodge Neon, 13.3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Dodge Neon | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 2,529 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 337 (13.3%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 78 (3.1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 309 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 25 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 129% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Dodge Neon share of that is 2,529 complaints over 951 runs, 0.23% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Dodge Neon VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 2,529 NHTSA complaints from 951 Neon runs and 23 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Neon production run has the most complaints?
1B3ES46C2YD, a 2000 build, with 23 complaints, 4 of them after a crash. The typical Neon run has 2.7.
Which Neon years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2000 is heaviest at 3.8 complaints per run and 1994 lightest at 1.
Does the Neon get more complaints than the Ford Escort?
Yes: 2.7 complaints per production run for the Neon against 2.5 for the Ford Escort.
How many Neon complaints involve a crash?
13.3% of 2,529 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 78 involved a fire.
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