1996 Dodge Neon vs 1996 Ford Escort
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1996 Dodge Neon | 1996 Ford Escort |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 611 | 205 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 49 | 90 |
| Investigations | 2 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 46 | 24 |
| Fire reports | 5 | 7 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 25–28 | 22–30 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 81,500 mi | 86,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Dodge Neon | Ford Escort |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 340 | 30 |
| Electrical System | 93 | 14 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 88 | 10 |
| Seat Belts | 10 | 77 |
| Power Train | 47 | 19 |
| Air Bags | 44 | 18 |
| Steering | 24 | 10 |
| Structure | 23 | 4 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 45 | 12 |
| Electrical failures | 22 | 0 |
| Overheating | 13 | 0 |
| Brake problems | 12 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 11 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 6 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 5 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 7 |
1996 Dodge Neon
1996 Ford Escort
Compare all Dodge Neon vs Ford Escort years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.