IllustrationENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAS BLOWN OUT TWICE, RESULTING IN AN OIL LEAKAGE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK TIMING BELT WAS CHANGED AT 61,524 MILES. SWITCH FOR OIL INDICATOR BURNED OUT CAUSING OIL LEAKAGE (5-11-98). *MJS
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
40 reportsWHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO VEHICLE OVERHEATING. ALSO, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WAS ON AND WON'T GO OFF. *AK
ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, CAUSING SEVERE OIL LEAKS. ALSO, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON. *AK
THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP ABOUT EVERY OTHER MONTH SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. VERY DISAPOINTED IN WE HAVE LOST ALOT OF MONEY TRYING TO KEEP THIS VEHICLE.
THIS IS APPARENT ON OTHER DODGE NEON MODELS. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK
HAVE HEARD FROM OTHER NEON OWNERS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, WAS EVEN TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT, BUT CAN'T FIND IT. NO DEFECT (S) LISTED. *AK
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE HEAD GASKETS. OIL LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED AND THE OIL LEAKS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
WHEN DRIVING AT 70 MPH THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. AS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, AND WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE BACK UP, THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. THE CONSUMER STATED THE WATER PUMP/ TIMING BELT AND THE PINION RING AND GEAR FAILED ALSO. *AK
THIS CAR HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE SINCE I'LL PURCHASED IT, I HAD TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED, MY ENGINE LIGHT KEEP GOING ON, MY RADIO KEEPS GOING OUT. IF IT'S NOT ONE THING IT'S ANOTHER. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCT. MY MOTHER HAS ALWAYS OWNED CHRYSLERS BUT SHE'S CHANGE HER MIND. MY DEALER ONLY CARES ABO…
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THIS CAR HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE SINCE I'LL PURCHASED IT, I HAD TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED, MY ENGINE LIGHT KEEP GOING ON, MY RADIO KEEPS GOING OUT. IF IT'S NOT ONE THING IT'S ANOTHER. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCT. MY MOTHER HAS ALWAYS OWNED CHRYSLERS BUT SHE'S CHANGE HER MIND. MY DEALER ONLY CARES ABOUT THE SALE OF THE CAR, NOT THE SERVICE AFTER YOU SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE. THANKS, NICOLE
STEERING PROBLEM- WHEN GOING THROUGH PUDDLES, LOSS OF STEERING EXPERIENCED FOR A FEW SECONDS AND SOMETIMES TOTAL LOSS. CAR HAD TO BE SHUT OFF TO GAIN CONTROL BACK. POWER STEERING BELT WAS TIGHTENED BY LOCAL MECHANIC BECAUSE DEALERSHIP SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE. TRANSMISSION- WHEN PU…
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STEERING PROBLEM- WHEN GOING THROUGH PUDDLES, LOSS OF STEERING EXPERIENCED FOR A FEW SECONDS AND SOMETIMES TOTAL LOSS. CAR HAD TO BE SHUT OFF TO GAIN CONTROL BACK. POWER STEERING BELT WAS TIGHTENED BY LOCAL MECHANIC BECAUSE DEALERSHIP SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE. TRANSMISSION- WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE, TRANNY HESITATED, TOOK A COUPLE OF SECONDS TO ENGAGE. TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. TOOK VEHICLE IN A SECOND TIME AT A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. SERVICE BULLETIN FOUND. TRANSMISSION SERVO REPLACED AFTER 4 DAYS OF BEING IN THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO INCOMPETENCE OF MECHANICS. PROBLEM WAS EVENTUALLY FIXED. CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE- CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO KEEP A CONSTANT SPEED. TURNED INTO DEALERSHIP. TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. TURNED IN A SECOND TIME TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. REPLACED SPEED SENSOR. PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. OIL LEAK- OIL WAS FOUND ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OIL PRESSURE SWITCH WAS REPLACED. PROBLEM SOLVED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT- CHECK ENGIN LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP. OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED. PROBLEM SOLVED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT- CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP. ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF. NEXT DAY IT WAS BACK ON AGAIN. TURNED IN A SECOND TIME. TURNED OFF. CAME BACK ON WITHIN A COUPLE OF HOURS. TOOK IN A THIRD TIME. COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. PROBLEM SOLVED. OIL LEAK- OIL FOUND ALL OVER THE UNDERSIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CHECKED BY A NEIGHBORHOOD MECHANIC. FOUND THE HEAD GASKET LEAKING AT JUST 45000 MILES. OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES.
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