IllustrationCAR LEAKING OIL FINALLY GOT WORSE, DIAGNOSED AS HEAD GASKET WAS TOLD BY OTHER NEON OWNER THAT PROBLEM WAS BEING FIXED FOR FREE. MY DEALER CONSIDERED IT A WARRANTY WORK BUT CHARGED A DEDUCTIBLE - TWICE WHAT HE WOULD HAVE CHARGED HAD A BEEN ORIGINAL OWNER. COMPLAINT MORE WITH DEALER THAN DODGE.
1995 Dodge Neon
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Neon years
Owner complaints for the 1995 Dodge Neon are substantially higher than the model-year median of 173.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Neon years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 35 of 976 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 294 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 208 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 124 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
124 crash reports55 fire reports86 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
294 reportsNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
IN MAY OF 1995 I PURCHASED A NEW NEON SPORT COUP, ON OCTOBER OF 1998 MY HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL. I ASKED THEM IF THIS SHOULD BE HAPPENING TO A CAR AS NEW AS MINE AND THEY TOLD ME NO. CHRYSLER AGREED TO PAY HALF OF THE COST FOR A NEW HEAD GASKET ON MY CAR. I ALSO ASKED IF I WOULD BE BACK IN ANOTHER 2 YEARS TO REPLACE THE NEW …
Read full complaint
IN MAY OF 1995 I PURCHASED A NEW NEON SPORT COUP, ON OCTOBER OF 1998 MY HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL. I ASKED THEM IF THIS SHOULD BE HAPPENING TO A CAR AS NEW AS MINE AND THEY TOLD ME NO. CHRYSLER AGREED TO PAY HALF OF THE COST FOR A NEW HEAD GASKET ON MY CAR. I ALSO ASKED IF I WOULD BE BACK IN ANOTHER 2 YEARS TO REPLACE THE NEW HEAD GASKET THAT THEY HAD REPLACED AND THEY SYATED "NO". I AM NOW BACK A YEA AND A HALF LATER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED CHRYSLER AGAIN AND THEY AGREEED TO PAY HALF AGAIN. NOW IT IS 3 WEEKS AFTER I HAVE HAD MY HEAD GASKET REPLACED AND I NOW HAVE OIL COMING OUT OF MY RADIATOR AND THEY ARE NOT SURE WHAT IS WRONG SO THEY ARE KEEPING MY CAR OVER THE WEEKEND TO TRY TO FIGURE IT OUT. I ALSO HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN FOR A BAD CIG. LITER, WEATHER STRIPING ON MY LEFT DOOR,LOOSE WINDOW (TWICE AND IT IS STILL NOT RIGHT), AND OTHER PROBLEMS. I FEEL LIKE I AM STCK WITH A LEMON. I HAVE ALREADY PUT OUT OVER $3,000 IN REPARES ON THIS CAR. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
THE MONTH I BOUGHT THE CAR I HAD TO GET THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISION. THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BUSTED AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR ON THE TRANSMISSION. SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR THE PAINT JOB HAS BEEN PEELING. I HAVE NO PAINT ON THE ROOF. I HAD TO SAND DOWN WHAT WAS LEFT AND PRIMER IT. THE REST OF THE PAI…
Read full complaint
THE MONTH I BOUGHT THE CAR I HAD TO GET THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISION. THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BUSTED AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR ON THE TRANSMISSION. SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR THE PAINT JOB HAS BEEN PEELING. I HAVE NO PAINT ON THE ROOF. I HAD TO SAND DOWN WHAT WAS LEFT AND PRIMER IT. THE REST OF THE PAINT ON THE CAR IS PEELING EVERYWHERE. RECENTLY THE GAUGE CLUSTER WENT OUT. WHEN I WOULD TURN ON THE CAR THE GAUGES WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. THEN IT STOPPED, NOW THE SPEEDOMETER WON'T MOVE ALONG WITH THE ODOMETER. SO I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST I AM GOING. LAST, WHENEVER I GET OUT OF MY CAR FROM DRIVING IT SMELLS LIKE SOMEONE FARTED, I HAVE A CONSTANT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT TELLS ME ITS THE O2 SENSER BUT IT'S NOT WE TESTED THOSE. THE CATALITIC CONVERT IS BAD ON THE CAR AND I HAVE TO REPLACE IT.
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THEY WOULD GRIND. ALSO, WOULD HAVE TO PUMP BRAKES. DEALERSHIP REPLACED ROTORS AND BRAKES PADS. BUT, PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. IT HAS BEEN THREE WEEKS. *AK POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED OIL TO LEAK. THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE AND VEHICLE PULLS. *YH
I HAVE AN APPT WITH KUHN CHRYSLER TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM BY THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ I SAY IT IS PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT I AM RIGHT AND IT IS THE HEAD GASKET. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A VERY WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM. T HE DEALER THAT I TALKED TO SAID THAT CHRYSLER IS OFFERING PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT ON SOME OF THE REPAIRS. PARTIAL REIM…
Read full complaint
I HAVE AN APPT WITH KUHN CHRYSLER TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM BY THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ I SAY IT IS PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT I AM RIGHT AND IT IS THE HEAD GASKET. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A VERY WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM. T HE DEALER THAT I TALKED TO SAID THAT CHRYSLER IS OFFERING PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT ON SOME OF THE REPAIRS. PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT!! THIS IS OBVIOSLY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD BE PAYING FOR FULL REPLACEMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER THEY MAY NOT PAY ANYTHING AT ALL AND IT IS MY PROBLEM.. GET A CLUE LOOK AT THE COMPLAINTS!!! I AM GETTING VERY DISGURAGED WITH EVERYONE THAT I HAVE TALKED TO AND ABOUT READY TO SELL THE CAR, CUT MY LOSSES, AND KNOW BETTER IN THE FUTURE NEVER TO BUY A DODGE AGAIN!!!*AK
ENGINE CONSTANTLY OVERHEATS ON A DAILY BASIS. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THERE IS EVIDENT OF A HEAD GASKET LEAK. *AK *ML
ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE PREMATURELY BLOWN OUT, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO COMPLETELY MALFUNCTIONS.*AK HEAD GASKETS FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED, ENGINE KOCKING AND STEAM, BUBBLING/CRACKING OF COOLANT CONTAINER. A/C MALFUNCTION AND FAN MOTOR BECOMES LHOT WHEN TURNING ON. *YH
ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED AT 46,000 MILES BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING OIL. HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL AND NEEDED REPLACING A SECOND TIME. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 78,000. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Official recalls
697V169000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
Oct 7, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLER CAN BECOME DISCONNECTED WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES AN UNDERBODY IMPACT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL CAN OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLER WITH A COUPLER DESIGN THAT COLLAPSES ON IMPACT.
96V228000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Nov 18, 1996
THE FUEL AND REAR BRAKE TUBES CAN EXPERIENCE ACCELERATED CORROSION BETWEEN THE TUBES AND A RUBBER ISOLATOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CORROSION OF THE TUBES CAN LEAD TO BRAKE FLUID OR FUEL LEAKAGE. THIS CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF BRAKES OR RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE, FUEL SUPPLY AND FUEL VAPOR TUBES FOR THE PRESENCE OF CORROSION. ANY TUBES SHOWING CORROSION WILL BE REPLACED. ALL VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE RUBBER ISOLATOR REPLACED WITH A PLASTIC CLIP.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
THE FUEL AND REAR BRAKE TUBES CAN EXPERIENCE ACCELERATED CORROSION BETWEEN THE TUBES AND A RUBBER ISOLATOR.
Consequence: CORROSION OF THE TUBES CAN LEAD TO BRAKE FLUID OR FUEL LEAKAGE. THIS CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF BRAKES OR RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE, FUEL SUPPLY AND FUEL VAPOR TUBES FOR THE PRESENCE OF CORROSION. ANY TUBES SHOWING CORROSION WILL BE REPLACED. ALL VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE RUBBER ISOLATOR REPLACED WITH A PLASTIC CLIP.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
THE FUEL AND REAR BRAKE TUBES CAN EXPERIENCE ACCELERATED CORROSION BETWEEN THE TUBES AND A RUBBER ISOLATOR.
Consequence: CORROSION OF THE TUBES CAN LEAD TO BRAKE FLUID OR FUEL LEAKAGE. THIS CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF BRAKES OR RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE, FUEL SUPPLY AND FUEL VAPOR TUBES FOR THE PRESENCE OF CORROSION. ANY TUBES SHOWING CORROSION WILL BE REPLACED. ALL VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE RUBBER ISOLATOR REPLACED WITH A PLASTIC CLIP.
96V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
May 3, 1996
THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT(S) WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT PRIOR TO PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.
94V033000 · Power Train
Feb 23, 1994
MOISTURE CAN GET INTO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CAUSING DRIVEABILITY MALFUNCTIONS, INCLUDING STALLING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD DRIVE ABILITY MALFUNCTIONS OR STALLING OCCUR WHILETHE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULES ON THESE VEHICLES WILL BE REPLACED.
94V034000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Feb 23, 1994
THE REAR BRAKE HOSE MOUNTING BRACKET SCREWS CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE BRAKE HOSES TO MOVE OUT OF POSITION. THE UNRESTRAINED HOSES ARE THEN SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE WHICH COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE WILL REDUCE THE BRAKING PERFORMANCEOF THE VEHICLE, EXTEND STOPPING DISTANCES, AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: THE REAR BRAKE LINE HOSE BRACKET SCREWS ON THESE VEHICLES WILL BE REPLACED.
94V026000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Jan 9, 1994
THE ABS BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER REAR SEAL ALLOWS AIR TO ENTER THE BRAKE SYSTEM, CAUSING SPONGY BRAKES OR PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AIR ENTERING THE BRAKE SYSTEM CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OR PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKES WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: MASTER CYLINDERS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR THE SUSPECT BUILD DATE CODE RANGE AND WILL BE REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
9DP03002 · Steering Column Separation
Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.
PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate
Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.
PE98012 · Underhood Fires
Opened Feb 26, 1998 · Closed Jun 23, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
EA98003 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployments
Opened Jan 30, 1998 · Closed Jan 5, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
No summary supplied.
PE97042 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployment
Opened Sep 21, 1997 · Closed Jan 30, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
EA97009 · Loss Of Steering Control
Opened Apr 30, 1997 · Closed Oct 8, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE97007 · Alleged Fires In Steering Column Area
Opened Jan 31, 1997 · Closed Apr 7, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
THE APPARENT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS THE ACCUMULATION OF BRASS POWDER, THAT WEARS OFF THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS INSIDE THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH.THIS POWDER COLLECTS IN SMALL TRAILS OF GREASE THAT TRACK FROM ONE CONTACT TO ANOTHER.WHEN THE CONCENTRATION OF BRASS IN THE GREASE GETS HIGH ENOUGH, IT CAN CAUSE A HIGH RESISTANCE SHORT.THIS SHORT, IN TURN CAN IGNITE THE GREASE AND CAUSE SMOKE TO BE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN.THE GREASE USED INSIDE THE SWITCH, AS WELL AS THE VARIOUS PLASTIC COMPONENTS IN THE COLUMN, ARE FIRE RETARDANT AND WILL NOT BURN WITHOUT A SUSTAINED HEAT SOURCE.THERE HAS BEEN ONLY A SINGLE VERIFIED INCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND THIS REPORTED FIRE WAS SMALL, INVOLVING SOME CHARRING OF THE STEERING WHEEL.ALL OTHER VERIFIED INCIDENTS WERE LIMITED TO SMOKE FROM THE COLUMN AND MINOR INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
PE96069 · Loss Of Steering Control
Opened Nov 26, 1996 · Closed Apr 30, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE94095 · Loss Of Steering Control
Opened Dec 28, 1994 · Closed Apr 25, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available