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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

294 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP BEGINING OF MAY, THEY SAID IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET, SPENT $545 TO REPAIR. SOMETIME NEAR THE END OF THE MONTH I NOTICED OIL LEAKING AGAIN - HAD SENT NOTE SAYING CK REAR SEAL -- THEY HAD TO REPAIR MAIN REAR SEAL - $350 --- IF I HADN'T NOTICED THE OIL IN THE DIRT, AND NOT TRUSTED THAT IT WAS "FIXED" OR BR…

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TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP BEGINING OF MAY, THEY SAID IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET, SPENT $545 TO REPAIR. SOMETIME NEAR THE END OF THE MONTH I NOTICED OIL LEAKING AGAIN - HAD SENT NOTE SAYING CK REAR SEAL -- THEY HAD TO REPAIR MAIN REAR SEAL - $350 --- IF I HADN'T NOTICED THE OIL IN THE DIRT, AND NOT TRUSTED THAT IT WAS "FIXED" OR BRUSHED IT OFF -- I COULD HAVE FACED A CRACKED HEAD --- THERE WAS PRACTICALLY NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. I PUT IN 2 QTS TO GET TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY PUT IN $10 WORTH OF OIL -- PROBLEM SEEMS FIXED, BUT $1,000 IS A LOT FOR A CAR NOT EVEN 5 YEARS OLD YET. CONTACTED CHRYSLER, SUPPOSEDLY THEY WILL PAY FOR THE HEAD GASKET, HAVEN'T SEEN IT YET. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY 1995 NEON OWNERS, ALL HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM.... PLEASE LOOK INTO - THANK YOU!!!. *AK

NHTSA ODI #724584

Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

JUST BOUGHT THIS USED. HEAD GASKET IS BAD - $1,300 REPAIR! *AK

NHTSA ODI #724120

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSING CAR TO OVERHEAT. DON'T KNOW YET IF DAMAGE TO HEAD. CAR HAS SEVERAL ELECTRICAL "GLITCHES" THAT DON'T AFFECT SAFETY. HAS ALSO FAILED TWICE BEFORE - FUEL TANK SENSOR CAUSED CAR TO NEVER REGISTER LESS THAN 1/4 TANK SO RAN OUT OF GAS. ALSO ANOTHER TYPE OF FUEL SENSOR CAUSED CAR TO LOSE POWER - GAVE IM…

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HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSING CAR TO OVERHEAT. DON'T KNOW YET IF DAMAGE TO HEAD. CAR HAS SEVERAL ELECTRICAL "GLITCHES" THAT DON'T AFFECT SAFETY. HAS ALSO FAILED TWICE BEFORE - FUEL TANK SENSOR CAUSED CAR TO NEVER REGISTER LESS THAN 1/4 TANK SO RAN OUT OF GAS. ALSO ANOTHER TYPE OF FUEL SENSOR CAUSED CAR TO LOSE POWER - GAVE IMPRESSION THAT CAR WAS LOSING INJECTORS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #724024

Mileage unknown · May 28, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

HEAD GASKET CRACKED, LEAKING OIL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #723287

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

HEAD GASKET BLEW, NEED TO RESURFACE THE HEAD, NEEDED A NEW TIMING BELT, A NEW REAR OIL SEAL, COOLENT FLUSH AND MORE TOTALING 818.00 AND I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #723038

Mileage unknown · May 14, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

THIS PROBLEM OF DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS IS WIDESPREAD, AND SHOULD CLEARLY BE A MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE CONSUMER IS GETTING SCREWED ON THIS VEHICLE. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE THE POWERS THAT BE SEE THIS AND TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT PROTECTING US FROM DEFECTS THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY GMC? *AK

NHTSA ODI #722659

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AS NOTED AND I WAS NEVER INFORMED THAT CHRYSLER WILL REIMBURSE THE OWNER FOR REPAIRS SINCE THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. THE TOTAL COST WAS $641.70 AND THE WORK WAS DONE THROUGH AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. SUPPOSEDLY, CHRYSLER HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO UP TO 5 YEARS/100,000 MILES OWNERS WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR…

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THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AS NOTED AND I WAS NEVER INFORMED THAT CHRYSLER WILL REIMBURSE THE OWNER FOR REPAIRS SINCE THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. THE TOTAL COST WAS $641.70 AND THE WORK WAS DONE THROUGH AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. SUPPOSEDLY, CHRYSLER HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO UP TO 5 YEARS/100,000 MILES OWNERS WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR PREVIOUS ENGINE REPAIRS. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NO WRITTEN RECORD OF THIS SECRET WARRANTY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #722630

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

OIL IS LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKET. NLM

NHTSA ODI #552236

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #722294

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUID, TEMERATURE WAS RUNNING HIGH, AND VEHICLE OVERHEATED. DEALER STATED VEHICLE NEEDED NEW HEAD GASKET. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #861234

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