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
What owners actually said
976 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET LEAKED. THEN HAD TO REPLACE CLUTCH BECAUSE IT FAILED AFTER OIL LEAKED ON IT. SPENT TONS OF MONEY AND IT'S NOW MY UNDERSTANDING THAT DODGE WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. WITH SUCH AS SEVERE OIL HEMMORHAGE, I'M LUCKY MY CAR IS STILL OPERATING. I'M A STUDENT AND CAN'T AFFORD THESE PROBLEMS. NO ONE CAN. AND WE SHOULDN'…
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HEAD GASKET LEAKED. THEN HAD TO REPLACE CLUTCH BECAUSE IT FAILED AFTER OIL LEAKED ON IT. SPENT TONS OF MONEY AND IT'S NOW MY UNDERSTANDING THAT DODGE WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. WITH SUCH AS SEVERE OIL HEMMORHAGE, I'M LUCKY MY CAR IS STILL OPERATING. I'M A STUDENT AND CAN'T AFFORD THESE PROBLEMS. NO ONE CAN. AND WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I'M IRATE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #736385
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
GASKET FAILURES (HEAD AND TRANSAXLE) DIAGNOSED BY ULTRAVIOLET DYE TEST. BRAKE DEFICIENY DISCOVERED IN HIGH SPEED COMMUTER TRAFFIC WITH NEAR COLLISION. THE FREQUENCY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS FROM MANY OWNERS SUGGESTS THAT A LARGE RECALL ACTION IS IN ORDER BEFORE MANY SERIOUS ACCIDENTS RESULT.
NHTSA ODI #736258
Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
UPON VERIFYING THAT IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET, WAS INFORMED OF OTHER SUCH PROBLEMS FROM OTHER DODGE NEON OWNERS. I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. WHAT OTHER PROBLEMS COULD EXIST. DO WE NEED DEATHS TO OCCURE AS WITH THE TIRES? *AK
NHTSA ODI #736148
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE, SECOND TIME. HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED ON 'EXTENDED WARRANTY" AT 61,222 MILES. SECOND HEAD GASKET (REDO) HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 97,932 MILES. DEALER DECIDED TO "SPLIT THE COST" WITH ME, CHARGING $520.08 FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT DIRTY FOR ME TO PICK UP. OIL & COOLANT DRIPPING FROM UNDERCARRIAGE,…
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ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE, SECOND TIME. HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED ON 'EXTENDED WARRANTY" AT 61,222 MILES. SECOND HEAD GASKET (REDO) HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 97,932 MILES. DEALER DECIDED TO "SPLIT THE COST" WITH ME, CHARGING $520.08 FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT DIRTY FOR ME TO PICK UP. OIL & COOLANT DRIPPING FROM UNDERCARRIAGE, FENDERS AND STEERING WHEEL GREASY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #735340
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE HEAD GASKET ,SECOND FAILURE. HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED ON EXTENDED WARRANTY AT 61,222 MI. SECOND HEAD GASKET (REDO) HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 97932 MI. DEALER "SPLIT THE COST" WITH ME, CHARGING $520.08 FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT DIRTY FOR ME TO PICK UP, OIL & COOLANT DRIPPING FROM UNDERCARRIAGE, FENDERS AND STEERING WHE…
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ENGINE HEAD GASKET ,SECOND FAILURE. HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED ON EXTENDED WARRANTY AT 61,222 MI. SECOND HEAD GASKET (REDO) HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 97932 MI. DEALER "SPLIT THE COST" WITH ME, CHARGING $520.08 FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT DIRTY FOR ME TO PICK UP, OIL & COOLANT DRIPPING FROM UNDERCARRIAGE, FENDERS AND STEERING WHEEL GREASY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #735339
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2000
Electrical SystemFire
PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. A TSB HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE FOR THE PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #873669
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2000
Air BagsCrash
AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER COLLISION AND COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.
NHTSA ODI #734702
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2000
Unknown Or Other
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #734339
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2000
Unknown Or Other
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #734316
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
MAJOR OIL LEAK THROUGH HEAD GASKET. REPORTED TO NHTSA DUE TO HIGH FAILURE RATE ON DODGE NEON HEAD GASKETS.
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.
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.
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.
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
1995 Dodge Neon Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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