Research · Compact Cars

1999 Dodge NeonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 163 owner complaints for the 1999 Dodge Neon. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (70) and suspension (29). The EPA rates it 24–28 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
24–28mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest May 2009
Owner complaints
163
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported May 24, 2006NHTSA 06E049000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

163 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 1999 – Sep 2018
  1. Engine and engine cooling70
  2. Suspension29
  3. Electrical system17
  4. Power train14
  5. Air bags13
  6. Steering10
  7. Visibility10
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic8
  9. Equipment7

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

By model year

Complaints for each Neon model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996621
1997396
1998351
1999163
2000361
2001151
2002184
Crashes reported
23
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
19
Deaths reported
5
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

70 reports1 crash1 fire
“I WAS DRIVING AND WHILE TURNING ONTO BUSY INTERSECTION MY 1999 INTREPID ES 2.7 STOPPED. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED REWIRING BUT THEN SENT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO HAVE THEM DISMANTLE MY ENGINE AND RETURN IT TO ME WITHOUT PUTTING IT BACK TOGETHER SWEARING THAT EVEN IF THEY PUT IT BACK TOGETHER IT WON'T START. SO NOW 3 MONTHS AFTER PAYING MY CAR OFF. IT NEEDS ANOTHER ENGINE. NO WARNING SIGNS, IT JUST STOPPED AND WENT COMPLETELY DEAD. IT SEEMS TO ME THE DEALERSHIP DESTROYED MY ENGINE. REMOVED ALL TIMING BELTS AND EVEN BENT THE PLATE OF THE ENGINE INSTEAD OF CAREFULLY REMOVING BOLTS. I HAVE 5 KIDS AND NO CAR. NOW AM FORCED TO PURCHASE AGAIN. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 8, 2008Engine and engine coolingODI 10214234

Suspension

29 reports3 crashes1 fire
“WHEEL BEARINGS WEARING OUT, ABS BRAKE LIGHT STAYING ON, BRAKE PADS BEING REPLACED ALOT, WEARING OUT TIRES ON THE FRONT (NEW TIRES) IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS, BRAKE CALIPER NEEDING TO BE REPLACED REPEATEDLY, BALL JOINTS WEARING OUT, UNSAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF FAILURES, LOSS OF USE OF VEHICLE DUE TO THAT FACT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 25, 2007Suspension, Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10209826

Electrical system

17 reports2 crashes4 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2018Electrical systemODI 11124007
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 3-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Neon
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243628$2,200317
Neon
Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,600370
  • Neon
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    24 city · 36 hwy · $2,200/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Neon
    Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Dodge Neon as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 3970
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 Neon questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Dodge Neon have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1999 Dodge Neon problems?

Owners filed 163 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (70), suspension (29), electrical system (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Dodge Neon get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Dodge Neon at 24–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026