Selling an old or non-running Dodge Neon

A Neon with an engine that overheats, won't start or is simply worn out can be sold as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US.

What owners reported in each generation

Wikipedia splits the US Neon into two generations. The first was built from November 1993 to August 1999 with 1.8- or 2.0-liter fours and either a five-speed stick or a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic. The second ran from the 2000 to the 2005 model year with a 1.6 or 2.0 four, or the 2.4 turbo four in the SRT-4, and added 4-speed automatics. Both were built at Belvidere, Illinois, and Toluca, Mexico. The last Neon left Belvidere on September 23, 2005, and the Caliber replaced it.

NHTSA also holds 9 complaints filed under 1994.

1995-1999: engine, cooling and brakes

No Neon year tops the 1995's 976 complaints. After engine and cooling (254), owners named the hydraulic brakes (160) and steering (111). It also lists the most crashes (130) and deaths (15) of any year in the file.

Six recall campaigns list the 1995. Three were small and early: 94V026 for an ABS master cylinder seal that could let air in, 94V034 for rear brake hose bracket screws, and 94V033 for moisture in the powertrain control module that could cause stalling. Two were large. 96V228 inspected the fuel and rear brake tubes, which could corrode under a rubber isolator, on 180,000 vehicles. 97V169 replaced the steering column coupler, which could come apart after an underbody hit, in a 375,000-vehicle campaign. Neither notice says it covers only Neons.

For the 1996 there was 96V026, a wiring harness that might short against the EGR tube on 15,000 cars, plus 96V075, a brake master cylinder seal that could leak on 1995-1996 models. That second campaign of 151,800 also appears on the Stratus, so it isn't a Neon-only count. The 1997 had 97V080, for an air bag circuit that could set off the bag when the ignition was switched off. On the 1998, 99V001 added rivets where the rear suspension crossmember was missing spot welds.

2000-2005: air bags and the power train

Complaints fall by more than half in the second generation. Air bags lead on the 2000 (62) and the 2001 (30). The power train leads on the 2002, 2004 and 2005, and the electrical system on the 2003 (55).

The 2000 lists five recall campaigns, and the 2001 another five. Under 00V194, a PCV tube was moved because crankcase vapor could freeze in the throttle body in severe cold. That campaign covers 263,000 vehicles. Recall 01V154 swapped out a brake booster vacuum hose on 2000-2001 cars that could swell and come loose from oil and heat. The campaign covered 353,000 vehicles. No campaign lists 2002 through 2005.

Per Wikipedia, the IIHS gave the second-generation Neon a "Poor" score in its side impact test. It also put the Neon among the vehicles with the highest driver death rates, at 161 per million registered vehicle years versus 103 for its class.

Complaints and recalls by model year

Our count of the NHTSA file, October 10, 2026. Recall figures overlap, since one campaign can name more than one year.

Is a Neon worth fixing?

The newest Neon is a 2005 model. So the Neon math is easy. Fix it only if the quote is far under what a running Neon of that year brings.

1. Overheating or a cooling leak? That's the pattern in the first-generation data. Our head gasket and overheating guide explains how to judge it.
2. Soft brake pedal or a brake fluid leak? On the 1995-1996, brakes rank right behind the engine. See bad brakes, and check the VIN at NHTSA's recall page for the brake campaigns above.
3. It has sat for years? Read car sitting for years before you buy a battery and tires.
4. High miles and several faults at once? See old or high mileage.

Selling the Neon in one piece

1. Note the year, the VIN and the transmission (manual or automatic), and whether it's an SRT-4.
2. Ask for an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Let us know where your Neon sits, be it a garage, a driveway or a back lot. If it has flat tires or no wheels, say so, so the truck brings the right gear. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
4. Sell it complete. Pulling the engine, converter or wheels first isn't needed. Tell us about anything already gone.
5. When we come: hand the driver your title and show your ID. Each state has its own plate rules, and after you sell covers them.

No title for an old Neon? See selling with no title. Other Dodge cars of the same era: the Shadow, Stratus and Avenger, or every Dodge model.