Model year record

1997 Dodge Neon

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 553 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V080000

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Component
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
125,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-05-16
Owners notified
1997-07-15

Defect description

THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESIGN ALLOWS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN.

Safety risk

UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine15150,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4789,500 mi
Air bags: frontal3162,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2123,000 mi
Unknown or other21
Engine and engine cooling1739,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components17
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1155,565 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip10
Vehicle speed control10
Air bags9108,000 mi
Electrical system962,000 mi
Structure: body8
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan789,500 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly7
Tires7
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control6
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc6
Structure: body: trunk lid6
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator5
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers548,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner5
Service brakes, hydraulic562,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor510,000 mi
Structure: body: door5
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery4
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash4
Interior lighting4
Seat belts: front: anchorage4
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump4
Exterior lighting: headlights350,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit3
Fuel system, gasoline3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump372,000 mi
Power train3
Steering: hydraulic power assist system3
Visibility: windshield3
Electrical system: wiring248,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2
Equipment250,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2
Exterior lighting: back up lights2
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices2
Service brakes, air: antilock2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2
Steering2167,800 mi
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm2105,000 mi
Structure2
Structure: frame and members2
Suspension: front2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor2
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly123,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment: electrical1
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack1
Exterior lighting: back up lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1120,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts1
Seat belts: front1102,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seat belts: integrated child seat1
Seats1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Seats: mid/rear assembly148,000 mi
Service brakes, air1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic148,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure: body: bumpers1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1
Wheels1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1

The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.