IllustrationHAD NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL ON GARAGE FLOOR. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND HAD IT CHECKED. WAS INFORMED THAT SEALS WERE NOT INVOLVED, BUT HEAD GASKETS WERE CAUSING LEAKAGE.*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 reportsVEHICLE EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING AND LOSS OF COOLANT WHILE DRIVING. TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER OF A HEAD GASKET FAILURE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK *JB
I BOUGHT VEH IN DEC OF 1998 HAVE MADE $2000.00 WORTH OF ENGINE REPAIRS SINCE 02/01/00 WHICH CONSISTED OF REPLACING ENTIRE ENGINE NOW A YEAR LATER MY VEH IS LEAKING OIL AGAIN FROM THE REAR MAIN SEAL WHICH WILL BE ANOTHER $400.00 DOLLARS TO REPAIR AND I STILL OWE 4000.00 ON THE VEHICLE WITH THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE ENGINE…
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I BOUGHT VEH IN DEC OF 1998 HAVE MADE $2000.00 WORTH OF ENGINE REPAIRS SINCE 02/01/00 WHICH CONSISTED OF REPLACING ENTIRE ENGINE NOW A YEAR LATER MY VEH IS LEAKING OIL AGAIN FROM THE REAR MAIN SEAL WHICH WILL BE ANOTHER $400.00 DOLLARS TO REPAIR AND I STILL OWE 4000.00 ON THE VEHICLE WITH THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE ENGINES ON THESE CARS YOU WOULD THINK SOMETHING WOULD BE DONE I CANT KEEP REPLACING ENGINES EVERY YEAR. DODGE HAS REALLY SCREWED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK
HEAD GASKET FAILURE, POSSIBLE ENGINE PROBLEMS, MANUFACTURER HAS DENIED ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIRS. *JB
ENGINE GAUGE WENT INTO THE RED, CONSUMER TURNED OFF CAR TO COOL. TWO DAYS LATER, MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A BUTSTED HEAD GASKET.*AK CONSUMER STATED ENGINE DAMAGE FROM OVERHEATING INCLUDED PISTON RINGS AND CRANKSHAFT BEARINGS. *SLC
BRAKES ARE CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE WEAR, CONSUMER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE OWNERSHIP, LAST REPAIR ON 3/17/01. *MJS
I JUST HAD THE CLUTCH REPAIRED, AND WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT MY HEAD GASKET IS CAUSING SERIOUS OIL LEAK AND NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED, I WAS TOLD THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD REPAIR THIS SINCE IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NEONS, MECHANIC STATED HE NOTICE THIS PROBLEM WITH NEONS HE HAS REPAIRED. *AK
2 WEEKS PRIOR TO REPORTED INCIDENT VEHICLE HAD A COOLANT LEAK. GARAGE FOUND THAT THE COOLANT RESEVOIR HAD SPLIT AND REPLACED IT. ON THE 9TH MARCH MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR AND DROPPED A COLLEGE OF TO PICK UP HIS CAR AT A GARAGE. WHEN SHE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE IT SHE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE DID NOT SOUND RIG…
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2 WEEKS PRIOR TO REPORTED INCIDENT VEHICLE HAD A COOLANT LEAK. GARAGE FOUND THAT THE COOLANT RESEVOIR HAD SPLIT AND REPLACED IT. ON THE 9TH MARCH MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR AND DROPPED A COLLEGE OF TO PICK UP HIS CAR AT A GARAGE. WHEN SHE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE IT SHE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE DID NOT SOUND RIGHT. SHORTLY AFTER THE CAR STARTED TO WOBBLE, THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TEMPERTURE GAUGE STARTED TO CLIMB HIGHER. SHE ARRIVED HOME, I RANG THE GARAGE, TOLD THEM OF THE SYMPTOMS AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR IN. ON STARTING IT UP I NOTICED A LOT OF BLUE GREY SMOKE COME OUT OF THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE DROVE WITH NO PROBLEMS TO THE GARAGE. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE SHOWED A COOLANT LEAK, WHEN THE HEAD GASKET WAS TAKEN OFF THERE WERE 2 CRACKS ON THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE ESTIMATED COST OF A TEMPORARY REPAIR IS $1000, BUT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE HOW LONG THE REPAIR WOULD LAST. THE ONLY OTHER OPTION WAS A NEW ENGINE WHICH IS OUT OF THE QUESTION. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS PROBLEM COULD OCCUR WITH ONLY 76K ON THE CLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED WITH 45K ON THE CLOCK IN SEPTEMBER 1997. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN SERVICED ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTION, WITH AN OIL AND FILTER CHANGE EVERY 3 MONTHS.*AK
DEALER NOW REFUSES TO REPLACE; CLAIMS IT IS DIFFERENT PART LEAKING. SEPARATE REPAIR SHOPS STATE IT IS HEAD GASKET AGAIN. *AK
OIL IS LEAKING FROM HEAD GASKET WHICH COULD DAMAGE ENGINE.*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