← New search

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 →

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

What owners actually said

976 reports
74,000 miles · Jul 17, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PUMP (20A) FUSE RANDOMLY BLOWS. 30A FUSES USED AND ALSO RANDOMLY BLOW CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. NO INDICATION OF PROBLEM WITH FUEL PUMP ITSELF. O2 SENSOR AND EGR VALVE HAS BEEN REPLACED. MECHANICS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ISOLATE THE CAUSE BUT HAVE FOUND DIFFERENT VARIATIONS OF CIRCUIT/WIRING DIAGRAMS FOR THIS '95 NEON SPORT MOD…

Read full complaint

FUEL PUMP (20A) FUSE RANDOMLY BLOWS. 30A FUSES USED AND ALSO RANDOMLY BLOW CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. NO INDICATION OF PROBLEM WITH FUEL PUMP ITSELF. O2 SENSOR AND EGR VALVE HAS BEEN REPLACED. MECHANICS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ISOLATE THE CAUSE BUT HAVE FOUND DIFFERENT VARIATIONS OF CIRCUIT/WIRING DIAGRAMS FOR THIS '95 NEON SPORT MODEL VEHICLE. MECHANICS HAVE ALSO RECEIVED VARYING ADVICE FROM DODGE DEALERSHIPS ON THE CAUSE AND REMEDY. RESULT IS SAFETY HAZARD TO VEHICLE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS IF THE SYSTEM FAILS IN TRAFFIC.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10028501

160,000 miles · Jun 15, 2003
Electrical SystemFire

THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN MY STEERING WHEEL COLUMN CAUSED BY THE WIRING I HAD MY 3 WEEK OLD SON IN THE CAR AND HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO GET IT OUT I HAVE NOT FOUND OUT YET HOW BADLY THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DAMAGED. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10023092

82,741 miles · Jun 10, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

CHRONIC ENGINE OIL LEAKS. CYLINDER HEAD OIL LEAK REPAIRED (INCLUDING FRONT CAM SEAL, VALVE COVER, SPARK PLUG TUBE, EGR, COVER TUBE FLANGE, INTAKE MANIFOLD, AND THROTTLE BODY) ON 11/26/99 AT 82K MILES. FRONT CAM SEAL REPLACED ON 12/31/01 AT 105K000MILES. FRONT CAM SEAL FAILURE ON 6/9/02 AT 125K MILES. FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO…

Read full complaint

CHRONIC ENGINE OIL LEAKS. CYLINDER HEAD OIL LEAK REPAIRED (INCLUDING FRONT CAM SEAL, VALVE COVER, SPARK PLUG TUBE, EGR, COVER TUBE FLANGE, INTAKE MANIFOLD, AND THROTTLE BODY) ON 11/26/99 AT 82K MILES. FRONT CAM SEAL REPLACED ON 12/31/01 AT 105K000MILES. FRONT CAM SEAL FAILURE ON 6/9/02 AT 125K MILES. FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO CAM SHAFT. ALL LEAKS WERE POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10021389

82,741 miles · Jun 10, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashFire

CRONIC ENGINE OIL LEAK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10021388

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2003
Air BagsElectrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

THE CLOCKSPRING IS NOT WORKING. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, THE HORN DOESN'T WORK, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10020917

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TRANSMISSION DEFECTIVE. WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE IT MADE A LOUD BANGING NOISE. SHIFTED HARSHLY FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKES SQUEALED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAMSHAFT SEAL LEAKED OIL AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE VALVE COVER GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF AN OIL LEA…

Read full complaint

TRANSMISSION DEFECTIVE. WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE IT MADE A LOUD BANGING NOISE. SHIFTED HARSHLY FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKES SQUEALED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAMSHAFT SEAL LEAKED OIL AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE VALVE COVER GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF AN OIL LEAK. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10020805

61,000 miles · May 12, 2003
Power Train

HAVE HAD THE CAR (1995 NEON) ABOUT 1 YEAR - ONLY HAD 61,000 MILES ON IT AND MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS - TRANSMISSION SLIPS, IN RAIN ACTS AS IF THE CAR IS GOING TO STALL OR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, GETS NO POWER IN WET CONDITIONS EITHER. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10018589

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2003
Structure

WHEN IT RAINED THE VEHICLES TRUNK AND FLOOR BOARD GOT WET. SHORTLY AFTER THE CONSUMER STARTED TO SMELL A MILDEW SMELL IN THE CAB. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019391

50,000 miles · May 3, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

THERE SEEMS SO BE A BIG PROBLEM WITH DODGE NEON GASKET HEADS. THEY'RE FAULTY, THE COMPANY KNOWS THIS WHICH IS WHY THEY'VE BEEN REDESIGNED. I'VE HEARD THEY DON'T CONSIDER THIS A BIG ENOUGH PROBLEM, BUT ISN'T LEAKING OIL ON A HOT ENGINE DANGEROUS? *JB

NHTSA ODI #10016969

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2003
Exterior Lighting

THE HEAD LIGHT PLASTIC LENSES DETERIORATED AND CLOUDED TO THE POINT WHERE THEY HAD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED THE LIGHTS BRIGHTNESS AND VISIBILITY. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10012389

Official recalls

6

97V169000 · 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

9

DP03002 · 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