IllustrationHEAD GASKET WILL COST $600 TO REPAIR. HAD ENOUGH PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR IN THE 16 MONTHS I HAVE OWNED IT. IT IS APPARENT BY ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT SOMTHING SHOULD BE DONE. SO WHY HASN'T IT? *AK
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
294 reportsVECHICLE OVERHEATED , WAS TOWED TO NEAREST CHRYSLER SERVICE CENTER, REPLACED THERMOSTAT. 6 WKS LATER OVERHEATED AGAIN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN, WAS TOLD IT HAD A CRACKED HEAD GASKET THEY REPALCED IT. SIX WKS LATER CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON INTERSTATE AGAIN TOWED DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND A REASON FOR THIS. 3 WKS LA…
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VECHICLE OVERHEATED , WAS TOWED TO NEAREST CHRYSLER SERVICE CENTER, REPLACED THERMOSTAT. 6 WKS LATER OVERHEATED AGAIN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN, WAS TOLD IT HAD A CRACKED HEAD GASKET THEY REPALCED IT. SIX WKS LATER CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON INTERSTATE AGAIN TOWED DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND A REASON FOR THIS. 3 WKS LATER SAME PROBLEM AGAIN TOWED THIS TIME THEY SAID A COIL WIRE WAS LOOSE.NO OTHER PROBLEM WAS FOUND SAME DAY I PICKED UP THE CAR IT AGAIN STALLED AND HAD TO BE TOWED THIS TIME THEY SAID SOME IDLE STEPS WERE OUT OF SYNC THEY SHOULD HAVE ALREADY KNOWN THIS SINCE I JUST GOT THE CAR BACK THAT DAY. EVERY TIME THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG SO THEY SAY, I LEFT THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS SO THAT A COMPUTER CO-PILOT COULD BE INSTALLED AND THE MECHANICS COULD MONITOR THE PROBLEM AS IT HAPPENS. THIS PRODUCED NO INFO . THE CAR HAS RUN ALL WINTER BUT NOW THAT WARM WEATHER IS HERE THE PROBLEM HAS STARTED AGAIN. THE CAR HAD TO BE AGAIN TOWED ON 3/8/00 STILL NO SATISFACTION AS TO WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. HAVE SPOKKEN TO SEVERAL REPRESENTATIVES FROM CHRYSLER WARRANTY AND MANUFACTURING DIVISIONS CONCERNING THIS AND THEY HAVE ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS BEEN VERY RUDE. THE LAST STRAW OCCURRED ON APRIL 14,2000 WHILE DRIVING TO FIND THE EXACT LOCATION OF A VERY IMPORTANT JOB INTERVIEW THE CAR BROKE DOWN 2, I WAS NO WHERE NEAR A PHONE AND COULD NOT CALL FOR HELP. I SAT IN THE CAR FOR 1 HR TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR IT STARTED BUT I COULDN'T TRUST THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE THE TRIP. I HAD TO TURN AROUND AND HEAD BACK HOME , I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME AND IT STALLED AGAIN I WAITED ANOTHER 1/2 HOUR IT STARTED AND I PRAYED ALL THE WAY HOME I WOULD MAKE IT SAFELY. EACH TIME I HAVE HAD THE CAR TOWED I HAVE HAD TO PAY $50 AS MY DEDUCTIBLE ON MY EXTENDED WARRANTY AND EACH TIME THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. I FEEL VERY UPSET AND DISAPPOINTED TO THINK I AM PAYING FOR SUCH AN UNRELIABLE CAR. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCT. *AK
ON AUGUST 27, 1997, VEHICLE WAS IN FOR YEARLY INSPECTION WHEN DEALERSHIP NOTICED OIL LEAK. SUPPOSEDLY HEAD GASKET NEEDED REPAIR AND THIS JOB WAS DONE. VEHICLE NEEDED RELAY REPAIR IN ON MARCH 23, 1999 AND $150 OF UNAUTHORIZED DIAGNOSTICS WAS PERFORMED. NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. IN AUGUST 1999, VEHICLE BEGAN WITH OIL LEAK AGAIN. …
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ON AUGUST 27, 1997, VEHICLE WAS IN FOR YEARLY INSPECTION WHEN DEALERSHIP NOTICED OIL LEAK. SUPPOSEDLY HEAD GASKET NEEDED REPAIR AND THIS JOB WAS DONE. VEHICLE NEEDED RELAY REPAIR IN ON MARCH 23, 1999 AND $150 OF UNAUTHORIZED DIAGNOSTICS WAS PERFORMED. NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. IN AUGUST 1999, VEHICLE BEGAN WITH OIL LEAK AGAIN. CAR WAS PARKED UNTIL FEBRUARY 2000 WHEN PRIVATE REPAIR MAN DIAGNOSED HEAD GASKET LEAK AND VALVE COVER GASKET LEAK. CHRYSLER WAS ONCE AGAIN NOTIFIED. INFORMATION PROVIDED TO US STATES THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH 1995 NEONS AND WE'VE ALL READY SUNK TOO MUCH MONEY INTO THIS CAR FOR MULTIPLE REPAIRS. CAR IS PRESENTLY PARKED AGAIN!! *AK
NO REIMBURSEMENT FROM CHRYSLER FOR 2ND REPAIR OF $1,275. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK
HEAD GASKET BLEW ON THE #4 CYLINDER BLOWING COOLANT AND OIL THROUGH THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST SYSTEM. AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM THE ENGINE BLOCK CRACKET BETWEEN THE WATER JACKETS. *AK
ENGINE OVERHEATED WHILE GOING 30MPH.BLOWN HEAD GASKETT,ANTIFREEZE TURNED BROWN BECAUSE OF OIL LEAKING INTO RADIATOR, THIS CAUSED THE THERMASTAT TO CLOG AND FAIL. MAJOR OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE. A/C WILL NOT HOLD FREON, THIS WILL COST $700 TO REPAIR.
CONTACTED CHRYSLER REGARDING HEAD GASKET REPAIRS. THEY ONLY OFFERED LESS THAN 25% REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN AND SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECALLED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *AK
ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKS - I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTUER DEFECT, AS ALL NEON'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM GET A CLUE. *AK
THE HEAD GASKET CAUSED MY WATER PUMP,TRANSMISSION,RADIATOR, TO BE REPLACED. IT MADE MY ENGINE OVERHEAT ALL THE TIME..I HAD TO REPLACE EVERYTHING..IT ALSO LEAKED OIL ALL THE TIME. I SPENT MONEY ALL THE TIME TO REPLACE THE OIL THAT LEAKED OUT. *AK
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE 1995. I DO NOT USE THE CAR OTHER THAN FOR VERY LIMITED DRIVING AS SEEN IN MY LOW MILEAGE. IT IS MARCH 23 OF 2000, MY CAR HAS APPROX 29,000 MILES, VERY LOW AND ALL THESE PROBLEMS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP BEING TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET THAT THEY REPLACED IN 1/99 DID NOT HOLD, WHICH IN 99, THE…
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I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE 1995. I DO NOT USE THE CAR OTHER THAN FOR VERY LIMITED DRIVING AS SEEN IN MY LOW MILEAGE. IT IS MARCH 23 OF 2000, MY CAR HAS APPROX 29,000 MILES, VERY LOW AND ALL THESE PROBLEMS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP BEING TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET THAT THEY REPLACED IN 1/99 DID NOT HOLD, WHICH IN 99, THEY THOUGHT WAS ODD THAT IT WENT SO SOON. I AM ALSO HAVING THE CAR FIXED BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING SWITCH SENSOR HAS FAILED. I BELIEVE THAT ON A CAR WITH LITTLE MILEAGE THAT I SHOULD BE INCURRING THIS MUCH PROBLEMS. IF THIS CAR HAS THIS MANY PROBLEMS, THEY SHOULD REDESIGN THE CAR AND NOT SELL THEM UNTIL SO. ALSO, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT FITGERALD AND THEY CAN TELL YOU OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR!!!L *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