IllustrationWHEN 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
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
Steering complaints
124 reportsI HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE 1995. I DO NOT USE THE CAR OTHER THAN FOR VERY LIMITED DRIVING AS SEEN IN MY LOW MILEAGE. IT IS MARCH 23 OF 2000, MY CAR HAS APPROX 29,000 MILES, VERY LOW AND ALL THESE PROBLEMS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP BEING TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET THAT THEY REPLACED IN 1/99 DID NOT HOLD, WHICH IN 99, THE…
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I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE 1995. I DO NOT USE THE CAR OTHER THAN FOR VERY LIMITED DRIVING AS SEEN IN MY LOW MILEAGE. IT IS MARCH 23 OF 2000, MY CAR HAS APPROX 29,000 MILES, VERY LOW AND ALL THESE PROBLEMS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP BEING TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET THAT THEY REPLACED IN 1/99 DID NOT HOLD, WHICH IN 99, THEY THOUGHT WAS ODD THAT IT WENT SO SOON. I AM ALSO HAVING THE CAR FIXED BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING SWITCH SENSOR HAS FAILED. I BELIEVE THAT ON A CAR WITH LITTLE MILEAGE THAT I SHOULD BE INCURRING THIS MUCH PROBLEMS. IF THIS CAR HAS THIS MANY PROBLEMS, THEY SHOULD REDESIGN THE CAR AND NOT SELL THEM UNTIL SO. ALSO, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT FITGERALD AND THEY CAN TELL YOU OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR!!!L *AK
WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND ENGINE CUT OFF. *ET
WHENEVER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, IT WOULD MAKE A CLUNKING, POPPING NOISE. THE SWAY BAR WENT OUT. ALSO, WAS INFORMED THE BY THE MECHANIC THAT POWER STEERING RACK/ COIL, AND ENGINE HEAD GASKET NEED REPLACING. *AK
WHILE TURNING THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE. CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION STEERING. *AK
LOSS OF STEERING OCCURRED WHEN I DROVE THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER DURING A RAINSTORM AND THE STEERING POWER WAS CUT CAUSING ME TO HIT A CONCRETE CURB AT ABOUT 15 MPH IN A PARKING LOT SCRATCHING THE PAINT ON THE FRONT BUMPER. SECOND THE WIRING IN THE DOME SWITCH IN THE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE WIRES IN THE LIGHTS ON REMINDER IN THE …
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LOSS OF STEERING OCCURRED WHEN I DROVE THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER DURING A RAINSTORM AND THE STEERING POWER WAS CUT CAUSING ME TO HIT A CONCRETE CURB AT ABOUT 15 MPH IN A PARKING LOT SCRATCHING THE PAINT ON THE FRONT BUMPER. SECOND THE WIRING IN THE DOME SWITCH IN THE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE WIRES IN THE LIGHTS ON REMINDER IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS SHORTED CAUSING THEM NOT TO WORK PROPERLY. AFTER THE RECALL FOR THE STEERING COUPLER WAS PERFORMED THE CAR TENDS TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT "STRAIGHT" WHEN DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD 2 ALIGNMENTS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT CORRECTED. THE HOOD IS NOT PROPERLY ATTACHED AND THE HOOD HITS THE RIGHT FENDER NOW CAUSING RUST TO FORM. THE ORIGINAL BATTERY ALSO CORRODED THROUGH BOTH TERMINALS FIRST CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO EVEN START THEN AFTER THE TERMINALS WERE REPLACED CAUSED THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT TO REMAIN LIT UNTIL THE TERMINAL WAS REPLACED AGAIN. ALSO FINALLY THE BRAKES MAKE LOUD SCREECHING NOISE WHEN APPLIED AND WHEN I HAD THEM CHECKED WAS TOLD IT WAS "BREAK DUST AND NOT TO WORRY
ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASE, ALL OIL WAS GONE FROM CAR. DEALER FIRST REPLACED THE OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT, KEPT LEAKING, THEN REPLACED THE VALVE COVER GASKET, KEPT LEAKING, THEN REPLACED THE CAM SEALS. DEALER ASSURED ME THAT IT WAS NOT THE HEAD GASKET. STILL LEAKING OIL. TOOK IT TO PERSONAL MECHANIC AND IT IS THE HEAD GASKET …
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ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASE, ALL OIL WAS GONE FROM CAR. DEALER FIRST REPLACED THE OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT, KEPT LEAKING, THEN REPLACED THE VALVE COVER GASKET, KEPT LEAKING, THEN REPLACED THE CAM SEALS. DEALER ASSURED ME THAT IT WAS NOT THE HEAD GASKET. STILL LEAKING OIL. TOOK IT TO PERSONAL MECHANIC AND IT IS THE HEAD GASKET LEAKING. DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REFUND PURCHASE PRICE OR REPLACE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN OVER A 2 MONTH PERIOD. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS VERY NOISY BRAKES, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HAS SAT FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME (OVERNIGHT). THE CAR HAS A SHAKING AND RATTLING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, ESPECIALLY AT SLOW SPEEDS. THE DASH BOARD REFLECTS ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN IT IS SUNNY AND THE GLARE MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE AT TIMES.
DRIVER MADE RIGHT TURN , STEERING LOCKED UP ,LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND CRASHED ONTO A CURB WHEN THE GAS TANK RUPTURED, CAUSING 4 DEATHS AND TWO WERE SEVERELY BURNED AND 1 HAD MINOR BURNS. ALL WERE OCCUPANTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THREE IN FRONT AND FOUR IN THE BACK. GAS TANK HAD NO ROTECTIVE SHIELD. *AK
I HAVE COMPLAINED OF A POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WITHIN 18 MONTHS OF PURCHASE. THE DEALERS COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE POPPING NOISE. NOW WITH 60,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE RACK IS WHAT ALWAYS MADE THE POPPING NOISE DUE TO BAD SEALS IN IT. CHRYSLER CORPORATION OFFERED TO PAY 50%, BUT I FEEL THEY SHOULD PAY 100% DUE TO THIS H…
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I HAVE COMPLAINED OF A POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WITHIN 18 MONTHS OF PURCHASE. THE DEALERS COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE POPPING NOISE. NOW WITH 60,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE RACK IS WHAT ALWAYS MADE THE POPPING NOISE DUE TO BAD SEALS IN IT. CHRYSLER CORPORATION OFFERED TO PAY 50%, BUT I FEEL THEY SHOULD PAY 100% DUE TO THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN EXISTING PROBLEM.
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *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