Problems · by component

1996 Dodge Neon electrical system problems

89 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1996 Dodge Neon cite electrical system, 14% of all 621 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
89
14% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE STALLING AND ADVISED THAT IT WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V026000 ( ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD). THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 22, 2011Electrical systemODI 10421054
“I HAVE A 1996 DODGE NEON THAT KEEPS BLOWING FUEL PUMP FUSES WHEN SHIFTING TO 3RD GEAR. IT IS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT THAT I FOUND IN SAME VEHICLE MADE FEW MONTHS SOONER JULY THROUGH NOVEMBER CAR IN 1995 THROUGH 1996 I FEEL THIS IS STILL HAPPENING MY CAR IS AT RISK TO CATCH FIRE. WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IF THIS COULD BE RESOLVE AND CHECKED OUT. THANK YOU. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 26, 2008Electrical systemODI 10222375
“1996 NEON SPEEDOMETER FAILED AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IS LEAKING. *TS AFTER A SENSOR AND OTHER PARTS WERE REPLACED, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND IT WAS SOON DISCOVERED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS. A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT THE CONSUMERS SON WAS EXPERIENCING. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HIS SON'S VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 29, 2006Power train, Electrical systemODI 10161596
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE TWO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH ALL THE ELECTRICAL WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD AND INTERMITTENT STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A FRIEND WHO DETERMINED THE WIRING HARNESS WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST AND THE WIRING WAS MELTED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE AT 60MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SKIDDED. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED FLUID LEAKING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER INSPECTED BY A SERVICE DEALER, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THERE IS A RECALL 96V026000, CONCERNING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND A RECALL 96V075000, CONCERNING THE SERVICE BRAKES. HOWEVER, THE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 26, 2006Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical systemODI 10158321
“I HAVE HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH MY 1996 DODGE NEON SPORT, IT HAS BEEN INOPERABLE FOR THE LAST YEAR OR SO, DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND STALLING WHICH I BELIEVE STEM FROM THE WIRING HARNESS. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED A FEW TIMES, THE A/C REPLACED, FUEL INJECTION ACTS UP AND THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATES, MY TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED SLIPPING, POWER STEERING AND EXHAUST ARE LEAKING, NUMEROUS OIL LEAKS, REAR LIGHTS/ BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE NOT WORKED IN OVER A YEAR, DRIVERSIDE WINDOW BROKE ALONG THE EXTENDING ARM INSIDE OF THE DOOR FRAME, TRUNK RELEASE IS BROKEN AND MY CRUISE CONTROL IS BROKEN! FOR THE LAST 4MONTHS MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING AT ATLANTA DODGE LLC! JUST AFTER LEAVING IT WITH THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT, I RECEIVED A CALL SAYING I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY AND UNTIL IT WAS REPLACED FOR $180 THEY COULD NOT DO A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK FOR ANY OTHER PROBLEMS!! THE BATTERY WAS NOT EVEN A YEAR OLD AND WORKED FINE WHEN I LEFT THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP!! BUT IN HOPES OF ANY DECENT SERVICE I BOUGHT ANOTHER BATTERY FROM ADVANCED AUTO PARTS $40 AND TOOK IT IN MYSELF. DURING THIS VISIT I REMINDED THEM THAT MY MAKE AND MODEL CAR WAS UNDER A RECALL, THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 28, 2005Steering, Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasoline, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Latches/locks/linkages, Vehicle speed control, EquipmentODI 10143833
“THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONTINUOUS. THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING WITH MY 1996 DODGE NEON HAS ALSO BEEN IDENTIFIED WITHIN THIS SAME YEAR AND MODEL CAR AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER MY CAR DID NOT COME FROM THE SAME PLANT AS THE RECALLED NEONS. THIS DOES NOT CHANGE THE FACT THAT THE SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE SAME PRODUCT!! THE DODGE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL FOR MY NEON. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO ABOUT THIS? *NM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2005Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical systemODI 10137673

Showing 6 of 89 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: front underhood

Free remedy

AN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS CAN SHORT CIRCUIT DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION TUBE..

Electrical systemReported Feb 5, 1996NHTSA 96V026000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.