IllustrationENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING THE OIL TO MIX WITH THE RADIATOR COOLANT FLUID. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THIS BY AN MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE WHOLE ENGINE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED. CHRYSLER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
1995 Plymouth Neon
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Neon years
Owner complaints for the 1995 Plymouth Neon are substantially higher than the model-year median of 151.
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: 18 of 481 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 147 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 86 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
57 crash reports29 fire reports44 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
147 reportsNO SUMMARY
HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON OUR NEON AND DEALER ADMITTED 40 FAILED HEAD GASKETS SO FAR THIS YEAR THAT HE HAS REPLACED. NOW IN FOR REPAIR AT THE DEALER AND HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT HEAD IS ALSO BAD BECAUSE OF THE LEAK. THEY WANT $1,400.00 FOR A HEAD THAT WAS DAMAGED BY WHAT SEEMS TO BE A RE-OCCURING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. YOUR NHTS…
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HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON OUR NEON AND DEALER ADMITTED 40 FAILED HEAD GASKETS SO FAR THIS YEAR THAT HE HAS REPLACED. NOW IN FOR REPAIR AT THE DEALER AND HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT HEAD IS ALSO BAD BECAUSE OF THE LEAK. THEY WANT $1,400.00 FOR A HEAD THAT WAS DAMAGED BY WHAT SEEMS TO BE A RE-OCCURING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. YOUR NHTSA SERVICE BULLETIN 09-05-98 INDICATES THEY DID MAKE A CHANGE IN THE TYPE OF HEAD GASKET. I REGESTERED A COMPLAINT WITH CRYSLER AND THE DEALER HAS CONTACTED CRYSLER ABOUT OUR PROBLEM. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT CRYSLER "MIGHT" HELP OUT AND PAY "SOME AMOUNT". OF THE HEAD GASKET BILL. EARLY ON WITH THIS PROBLEM WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, AND FLUSHED OUT THE COOLING SYSTEM, AND REMOVED THE RADIATOR AND HAD IT CLEANED. NONE OF THESE PROBLEMS FIXED THE PROBLEM AND WE TOOK IT BACK AGAIN. THIS IS WHEN HE FOUND THE LEAKY HEAD GASKET. HE CALLED OUT TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT IF THEY HAD SEEN THE PROBLEM BEFORE AND THEY TOLD HIM IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY HAD REPLACED 40 SO FAR THIS YEAR. NOW I HAVE A $1,400.00 TO $1,700.00 BILL FOR A PROBLEM THAT CRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT OR AT LEAST THIS LOCAL DEALER HAS SEEN 40 TIMES THIS YEAR.
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLOWING OUT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A MFR. RECALL. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *AK
ENGINE HESITATES WHEN GAS IS APPLIED. LATER PICKS UP SPEED. DEALER SAYS STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK
FAN MOTOR GOES OUT AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN THE FAN MOTOR COMES ON, THE WARNING LIGHT GOES OFF. DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE. *AK
OIL LEAKING FROM HEAD DRIPPED ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD PIPES BELOW CAUSING A SMALL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPART MENT
ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH, AND CAR OVERHEATED.CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS A BUSTED HEAD GASKET, WHICH AT THIS POINT WILL COST ME $1400 (ABOUT 10% OF WHAT I PAID FOR IT). I FIND IT UNACCEPTABLE THAT CHRYSLER HAS JUST RECENTLY MADE A PROPER FIX AND WILL NOT RECALL VEHICLES TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. OWNERS HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR AN EXPENSE THAT IS NOT A NORMAL "WEAR & TEAR" OR…
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MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS A BUSTED HEAD GASKET, WHICH AT THIS POINT WILL COST ME $1400 (ABOUT 10% OF WHAT I PAID FOR IT). I FIND IT UNACCEPTABLE THAT CHRYSLER HAS JUST RECENTLY MADE A PROPER FIX AND WILL NOT RECALL VEHICLES TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. OWNERS HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR AN EXPENSE THAT IS NOT A NORMAL "WEAR & TEAR" OR COSMETIC THING. THIS IS A MAJOR FLAW-I'M SURPRISED THAT PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED/DIED BECAUSE HOW THIS BROKEN GASKET COULD BLOW THE ENGINE! OF COURSE, MY LITTLE NEON DOESNT COMPARE WITH SOCCER-MOMS AND THEIR SUV'S/MINI-VANS AIR BAG ISSUE, BUT PLEASE PLEASE PUT PRESSURE ON CHRYSLER TO DO A RECALL! IF I HAD A CLUE TO THIS WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR 3 1/2 YRS AGO, I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT OR AT LEAST HAVE THE CONFIDENCE THAT A RECALL WAS ORDERED AND THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. THANKS FOR THE OPPERTUNITY TO LET MY FEELINGS BE KNOWN. *AK
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH , DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30, WHEN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE, BURNING THE INTERIOR AND DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVER WAS STILL IN VEHICLE, CAUSING INJUIRES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. COULD NOT DETERMINE THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. ON IMPACT OF CRASH THE WINDSHIEL CAME OUT OF VEHICLE ALLOW…
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CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH , DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30, WHEN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE, BURNING THE INTERIOR AND DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVER WAS STILL IN VEHICLE, CAUSING INJUIRES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. COULD NOT DETERMINE THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. ON IMPACT OF CRASH THE WINDSHIEL CAME OUT OF VEHICLE ALLOWING FIRE INTO THE INTERIOR. *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