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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

Suspension complaints

29 reports
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130,916 miles · Sep 13, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringSuspensionCrashInjury

DT: THE CALLER SAID THAT BRAKES WILL NOT WORK ONE HAS TO HIT THE BRAKES AT THE LAST MINUTE. SHE SAID ONE CAN FEEL A POP, AND THEN THE BRAKES FAIL. SHE HAD TO RUN INTO A DITCH TO KEEP FORM HITTING SOMEONE. THE POLICE WERE CALLED, AND THERE A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WAS A CRASH. THERE WERE INJURIES TO THE PEDESTRIAN. SHE SAI…

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DT: THE CALLER SAID THAT BRAKES WILL NOT WORK ONE HAS TO HIT THE BRAKES AT THE LAST MINUTE. SHE SAID ONE CAN FEEL A POP, AND THEN THE BRAKES FAIL. SHE HAD TO RUN INTO A DITCH TO KEEP FORM HITTING SOMEONE. THE POLICE WERE CALLED, AND THERE A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WAS A CRASH. THERE WERE INJURIES TO THE PEDESTRIAN. SHE SAID THE HUB ASSEMBLY WAS BAD AND HAD IT REPLACED. ALSO, THE TIE ROD WOBBLED AND HAD IT REPLACED. HAD ANOTHER ACCIDENT WITH THE BRAKES WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF STOPPED SUDDENLY AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK. POLICE CAME AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE LADY IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS INJURED. DEALER WILL TAKE THE CAR TO DEALER, AND THEY WILL TALK ABOUT IT. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. CALLER SAID SHE WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THE VEHICLE HAD WHEN SHE BOUGHT IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10136311

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

THE BRAKES ON THE CAR ARE JUST TERRIBLE. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2002, IT WAS A 1995 NEON DODGE(BEST I COULD BUY BACK THEN). BUT IN LESS THAN A YEAR SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE AIR CONDITIONER FIXED ONE TIME, THE PAINT IS BASICALLY PEELING OFF BY ITSELF, BUT THE WORST PART ARE THE BRAKES, I'VE HAD THEM CHANGED THREE …

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THE BRAKES ON THE CAR ARE JUST TERRIBLE. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2002, IT WAS A 1995 NEON DODGE(BEST I COULD BUY BACK THEN). BUT IN LESS THAN A YEAR SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE AIR CONDITIONER FIXED ONE TIME, THE PAINT IS BASICALLY PEELING OFF BY ITSELF, BUT THE WORST PART ARE THE BRAKES, I'VE HAD THEM CHANGED THREE TIMES IN LESS THAN EIGHT MONTHS. ONCE I ALMOST GOT IN CAR ACCIDENT BECAUSE THEY FAILED ON ME. SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN A SMALL LOCAL DEALER SHOP MUCH COULD NOT BE DONE, BUT I AM LOOKING FOWARD TO GETTING A BETTER CAR WITH BETTER SAFETY FEATURES.

NHTSA ODI #10069957

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2001
Suspension

RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A SLOW LEAK WHEN IT STARTED TO RUB AGAINST STABLIZER BAR. THERE IS INSUFFICIENT SPACE, ABOUT 1\2 OF INCH, BETWEEN STABLIZER BAR AND TIRE(WITH NORMAL AIR PRESSURE) WHICH CAUSED TIRE TO HEAT UP AND BLOW WHILE DRIVING.*AK THERE HAD ONLY BEEN 12400 MILES ON THE TIRE. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #893833

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2001
Suspension

LEFT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT LEFT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT DISCONNECTED. *AK DEALER REPLACED THE PARTS, CONSUMER STATES THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SIDES HAVE BEEN MAKING POPPING NOISES WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS OR TURNING THE WHEEL SHARP…

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LEFT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT LEFT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT DISCONNECTED. *AK DEALER REPLACED THE PARTS, CONSUMER STATES THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SIDES HAVE BEEN MAKING POPPING NOISES WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS OR TURNING THE WHEEL SHARPLY. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #891921

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THEY WOULD GRIND. ALSO, WOULD HAVE TO PUMP BRAKES. DEALERSHIP REPLACED ROTORS AND BRAKES PADS. BUT, PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. IT HAS BEEN THREE WEEKS. *AK POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED OIL TO LEAK. THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE AND VEHICLE PULLS. *YH

NHTSA ODI #868051

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 1999
SuspensionInjury

THIS IS TEARING MY CAR UP AND THE VALUE OF THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT DODGE DOES NOT COVER REAR STRUTS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WITH ONLY LESS THAT 37,000 MILES ON THE CAR THAT IT OBVIOUSLY WAS THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTUER'S FAULT. WHY WOULD I TEAR UP A CAR THAT I JUST BOUGHT? THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.

NHTSA ODI #713898

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering

WHENEVER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, IT WOULD MAKE A CLUNKING, POPPING NOISE. THE SWAY BAR WENT OUT. ALSO, WAS INFORMED THE BY THE MECHANIC THAT POWER STEERING RACK/ COIL, AND ENGINE HEAD GASKET NEED REPLACING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #850999

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 1999
Suspension

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, TIRES AND THE STEERING KEEP SHAKING AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO THE SHOP FOUR TIMES ,AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #848816

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 1999
Suspension

RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE DRIVING . DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #845190

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspensionTires

VEHICLE IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT, TWO TIRES(NO MANUFACTURER)HAVE BLOWN OUT, AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TIRE REPLACEMENTS, NONE CAN REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #782833

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