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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 →

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

Equipment complaints

21 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2001
EquipmentFire

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FIRE FROM SPEAKER LOCATED IN DRIVER'S DOOR DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE. VEHICLE AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIRS.*AK CONSUMER STATES RADIO HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR TWO YEARS. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #891926

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2001
Electrical SystemEquipment

ON OR AROUND JUNE FIRST AIR CONDITIONG AND BLINKERS WERE INOPERABLE. TWO WEEKS LATER, AUTOMOBILE FAILED TO START, AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. CONSUMER CONTACTED LOCAL MECHANIC , WHO STATED THAT WIRING WAS BAD. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHUR DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #890820

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2001
Equipment

FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR TO FAIL ON A CAR WITH ONLY 54,139 MILES IS UNHEARD OF. THIS 1995 NEON HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF SINCE NEW OVER THE LAST 5 1/2 YEARS. THIS DEALER REPAIR WILL COST ABOUT $800. THIS TYPE OF COMPONENT SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER. REGARDING THE EXCESS NUMBER OF PAINT CHIPS ON THE CAR--IT HAS CH…

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FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR TO FAIL ON A CAR WITH ONLY 54,139 MILES IS UNHEARD OF. THIS 1995 NEON HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF SINCE NEW OVER THE LAST 5 1/2 YEARS. THIS DEALER REPAIR WILL COST ABOUT $800. THIS TYPE OF COMPONENT SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER. REGARDING THE EXCESS NUMBER OF PAINT CHIPS ON THE CAR--IT HAS CHIPPED EASILY DOWN TO THE PRIMER EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. IT HAS DOZENS OF CHIPS ON THE HOOD AND FRONT FENDERS AND EVEN ON THE ROOF. I HAVE 2 OTHER CARS-ONE IS 4 YEARS OLD AND THE OTHER IS 20-BOTH WITH ORIGINAL PAINT THAT DON'T EVEN CHIP AT ALL. THIS 1995 NEON'S HOOD PAINT IS SO COVERED WITH TOUCH-UP PAINT THAT THE HOOD NEEDS TO BE REPAINTED. THIS PAINT IS SO WEAK IT SEEMS LIKE THE ACTION OF RAIN HITTING IT IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE A CHIP ON ITS SURFACE. ONCE AGAIN, THIS CAR IS "BABIED"-WASHED AND WAXED BY HAND SINCE NEW AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #743085

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2001
Equipment

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #739676

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILED AT 33000 MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE, THE HEAD GASKET IS STILL HANGING IN THERE BUT IS LEAKING A LITTLE EACH DAY, NO EXCUSE, COOLING FANS NEVER RAN AFTER YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF, SOMETIMES ONE WILL RUN AND SOMETIMES BOTH WILL RUN. THEY WILL AT TIMES SHUT DOWN AND LEAVE ME ENOUGH BATTERY TO START THE CAR OR…

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THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILED AT 33000 MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE, THE HEAD GASKET IS STILL HANGING IN THERE BUT IS LEAKING A LITTLE EACH DAY, NO EXCUSE, COOLING FANS NEVER RAN AFTER YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF, SOMETIMES ONE WILL RUN AND SOMETIMES BOTH WILL RUN. THEY WILL AT TIMES SHUT DOWN AND LEAVE ME ENOUGH BATTERY TO START THE CAR OR IT MAY NOT. THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING HOT, LESS THAN HALF WAY ON THE GAGE. THE CAR IS MAINTAINED WITH COOLANT FLUSHED AND CHANGED YEARLY. HELP WIRH THIS PIECE OF JUNK. PLYMOUTH SHOULD REPLACE HEAD GASKETS , A/C UNITS ON EVERY ONE MADE AT THERE EXPENSE.

NHTSA ODI #727354

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentExterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING COULD STEP ON THE BRAKES PEDAL AND BRAKES WILL NOT STOP ON TIME.*AK POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED CHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE DURING RAIN. BRAKES MAKE A WAILING SOUND. BACK UP LIGHTS FAILED. LIGHTS ON RADIO FAILED. HEAD GASKET LEAKS. *YH

NHTSA ODI #866442

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE POWER STEERING PUMP BRACKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #783678

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 1999
Electrical SystemEquipmentVisibility

ALL WHO BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AND SYMPTOMS THAT LEAD UP TO THE PROBLEMS. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR CHRYSLER TO TAKE ACTION AND KEEP THE GOOD NAME THAT THEY USED TO HAVE? WE ALL PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THESE CARS AND NOW WE ALL MIGHT AS WELL JUNK THEM AND BUY NEW CARS. IN THE LONG RUN IT WILL SAVE US AL…

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ALL WHO BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AND SYMPTOMS THAT LEAD UP TO THE PROBLEMS. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR CHRYSLER TO TAKE ACTION AND KEEP THE GOOD NAME THAT THEY USED TO HAVE? WE ALL PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THESE CARS AND NOW WE ALL MIGHT AS WELL JUNK THEM AND BUY NEW CARS. IN THE LONG RUN IT WILL SAVE US ALL A LOT OF MONEY! *AK

NHTSA ODI #716084

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 1998
EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or Other

I HAVE TRULY BEEN DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR. IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. THE COMPLAINTS ARE THE MAIN ONES. HOWEVER, THEY HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I HAD ACTUALLY CONTEMPLATED ON CHECKING OUT THE LEMON LAW, BUT DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT IT. THE CHECK ENGING LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM ,THIS FINA…

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I HAVE TRULY BEEN DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR. IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. THE COMPLAINTS ARE THE MAIN ONES. HOWEVER, THEY HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I HAD ACTUALLY CONTEMPLATED ON CHECKING OUT THE LEMON LAW, BUT DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT IT. THE CHECK ENGING LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM ,THIS FINALLY WAS FIXED AFTER 6 MONTHS OF REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH IT. A YEAR LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS PROBLEM I WAITED AN EXTRA MILE TO PULL OFF. MY ENGINE WAS BLOWN ! I HAD HIT A BUMP, WHICH INTURN PUNCTURED THE OIL FILTER. I AM REALLY UNHAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #700480

Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 1998
Equipment

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM BLOWS OUT FUMES/STEAM.

NHTSA ODI #539534

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