IllustrationALL COMPONENTS LISTED HAD EARLY/PREMATURE FAILURE. WORST SITUATION IS HEAD GASKET. WOULD LIKE TO BE PART OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST CHRYSLER IF APPLICABLE.*AK
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
Equipment complaints
43 reportsSINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY NEON IN MAY '95, I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT COSTLY PROBLEMS. THIS PAST YEAR, ALONE, THE REPAIR, TOWING, AND CAR RENTAL EXPENSES HAVE EXCEEDED $5000.00. THIS CAR IS COSTING ME A FORTUNE TO MAINTAIN, AS THESE ARE MAJOR COMPONENTS THAT ARE MALFUNCTIONING. THE ITEMS I HAVE REGISTERED COMPLAINTS ON ARE JUST A …
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SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY NEON IN MAY '95, I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT COSTLY PROBLEMS. THIS PAST YEAR, ALONE, THE REPAIR, TOWING, AND CAR RENTAL EXPENSES HAVE EXCEEDED $5000.00. THIS CAR IS COSTING ME A FORTUNE TO MAINTAIN, AS THESE ARE MAJOR COMPONENTS THAT ARE MALFUNCTIONING. THE ITEMS I HAVE REGISTERED COMPLAINTS ON ARE JUST A FEW OF THE ITEMS I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH. IN JUST OVER A YEAR, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE A HEAD GASKET REPLACED, MY AIR COMPRESSOR SEIZED, ALMOST RESULTING IN A FIRE, MY THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED, THEY STILL CAN'T DETERMINE WHY MY BRAKES SQUEAL CONSTANTLY. ALTHOUGH I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, IS A VERY COMMON AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE '95 NEONS. MY MY ENGINE CONTROLLER HAD TO BE SUPPOSEDLY UPDATED, MY ENGINE SKIPS, BUT THE DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. MY WARNING LIGHTS DON'T WORK, WITH THESE PROBLEMS, YOU WOULD THINK THAT YOU WOULD HAVE SOME KIND OF WARNING. AND NOW, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE GEAR SHIFT CABLES, AND AS OF YESTERDAY, I HAD A CLUTCH CABLE SNAP WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED TRANSMISSION DAMAGE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE CLUTCH CABLE HAS BEEN UPDATED 3 TIMES FOR THE '95 NEON BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS WITH IT, I WILL BE INVESTIGATING THIS FURTHER. MY AIR COMPRESSOR HAS MALFUNCTIONED TWICE SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR, AS WELL AS THE EVAPORATOR. FOR WHAT IT HAS COST ME TO REPAIR THIS CAR, BECAUSE CHRYSLER REFUSES TO ADMIT FAULT, ALTHOUGH IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS MODEL AND YEAR IS A LEMON, I COULD BE DRIVING A MERCEDES BENZ!! I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO DISAPPOINTED IN A VEHICLE AS I AM WITH THIS NEON! AND OBVIOUSLY I AM CERTAINLY NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH CONSTANT PROBLEMS AND ASTRONOMICAL REPAIR COSTS BEING INCURRED. IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS BY THIS DATABASE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE SAME BOAT I AM IN. CHRYSLER HAS MADE NOT ONLY A POOR PRODUCT, BUT ALSO A DANGEROUS PRODUCT. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY WOULD KNOWINGLY SELL A VEHICLE TO SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE PROBLEMS THAT THE NEON HAS HAD. THIEVES!
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
FUEL PUMP - HAS EXTRA PORT THAT IS CAPPED WITH A NON-REENFORCED RUBBER CAP. THE RUBBER CAP APPEARS TO HAVE EXPLODED ON THE END OF THE CAP WHILE THE CAR WAS SITTING IN A PARKING LOT. THE RUPTURE OF THE CAP ALLOWED GASOLINE TO DRIP ABOUT 1 DROP PER SECOND. ON THIS CAR THE EXHAUST PIPES ARE CLOSE TO THE FUEL TANK. GAS FUMES WERE HI…
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FUEL PUMP - HAS EXTRA PORT THAT IS CAPPED WITH A NON-REENFORCED RUBBER CAP. THE RUBBER CAP APPEARS TO HAVE EXPLODED ON THE END OF THE CAP WHILE THE CAR WAS SITTING IN A PARKING LOT. THE RUPTURE OF THE CAP ALLOWED GASOLINE TO DRIP ABOUT 1 DROP PER SECOND. ON THIS CAR THE EXHAUST PIPES ARE CLOSE TO THE FUEL TANK. GAS FUMES WERE HIGHLY NOTICEABLE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THANK GOODNESS FOR NONSMOKER, NO SPARKS, AND A GUARDIAN ANGEL...MY DAUGTHER DROVE THE CAR 7 MILES HOME. THIS REMINDS ME OF THE FORD PINTO FIRE POSSIBILITIES. MOPAR PARTS DOES NOT STOCK THE RUBBER CAP (MAYBE $1) BUT WILL SELL THE ENTIRE FUEL PUMP FOR JUST UNDER $300 PLUS INSTALLATION. 2) ENGINE - ENGINE FAILED ON CYLINDER 4 WITH LOST POWER, ETC. HAD WARRANTY AND MOST OF PART/LABOR COVERED. CALLED CHRYSLER HOTLINE SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS ASSURED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS BEING REPORTED WITH THIS CAR (SAME STORY AT DEALER). 3) BRAKES/AIR CONDITIONER - FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER CAR 1 YR OLD, WARRANTY COVERED MOST OF COSTS 4) THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP COMPONENT IS THE MOST STARTLING OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. I SINCERELY HOPE THAT NO OTHER NEON OWNER EVER EXPERIENCES THIS PART FAILURE. *AK
THIS PROBLEM OF DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS IS WIDESPREAD, AND SHOULD CLEARLY BE A MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE CONSUMER IS GETTING SCREWED ON THIS VEHICLE. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE THE POWERS THAT BE SEE THIS AND TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT PROTECTING US FROM DEFECTS THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY GMC? *AK
RADIO SPEAKER ON RIGHT PASSENGER'S FRONT DOOR SHORTED OUT, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *AK
WE HAD TROUBLE WITH A "SHORT" FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS - WENT TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS WITH REPSONSE "NOTHING SHOWS ON THE COMPUTER" & "REPLACED THE RADIO. *AK
HEAD GASKET DEFECTIVE, CUASING MAJOR OIL LEAK. LOCAL DEALER SAID IT'S COMMON PROBLEM FOR NEONS. CONTACTED DEALER THAT SOLD IT AND CHRYSLER.
AS SOON AS THIS CAR HIT 36000MLS THE PROBLEMS JUST ADDED UP. EVERYTIME I TURNED AROUND SOMETHING WAS GOING WRONG THIS CAR. CHRYSLER WERE THE WORST MANUFATURER I HAD EVER DEALT WITH AND WILL NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM THEN AGAIN. WE HAD TO LET THE CAR GO BACK BECAUSE WE COULD NO LONG AFFORD THE REPAIRS ON IT. THE CRUISE CONTROL …
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AS SOON AS THIS CAR HIT 36000MLS THE PROBLEMS JUST ADDED UP. EVERYTIME I TURNED AROUND SOMETHING WAS GOING WRONG THIS CAR. CHRYSLER WERE THE WORST MANUFATURER I HAD EVER DEALT WITH AND WILL NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM THEN AGAIN. WE HAD TO LET THE CAR GO BACK BECAUSE WE COULD NO LONG AFFORD THE REPAIRS ON IT. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD TO HAVE SOME THING TO DO WITH THE COMPUTER, AND WAS REPLACEDBY MYSELF. THE ALTERNATOR WENT BAD WAS REPLACED BY MYSELF. THE RADIO WENT BAD WAS REPLACED BY MYSELF. THE TRANSMISSION HAD A PIN THAT WAS NOT FITTED AND WORE A HOLE THROUGH THE TRANSFER CASE. MALFUNCTION!! WE COULD NOT AFFORD IT AND DID NOT REPAIR.
AC FAILED TOTAL SIX TIMES DEFROST 2
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