IllustrationENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKS AND NEEDS REPAIRS ON MOST IF NOT ALL NEONS FROM WHAT I HEAR. *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
What owners actually said
976 reportsENGINE HEAD GASKET OF THE FIRST FEW YEARS OF NEONS ARE KNOWN TO FAIL OFTEN. THIS FAILURE CAN CAUSE ENGINE HEAD TO LEAK OIL AND ANTI-FREEZE. THIS COULD LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE IF NOT REPAIRED. THE HEAD GASKET FOR NEON'S WAS REDESIGNED AT LEAST ONCE TO FIX THIS DESIGN PROBLEM. IN MY OPINION, THE EARLY NEON HEAD GASKETS SHOULD …
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ENGINE HEAD GASKET OF THE FIRST FEW YEARS OF NEONS ARE KNOWN TO FAIL OFTEN. THIS FAILURE CAN CAUSE ENGINE HEAD TO LEAK OIL AND ANTI-FREEZE. THIS COULD LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE IF NOT REPAIRED. THE HEAD GASKET FOR NEON'S WAS REDESIGNED AT LEAST ONCE TO FIX THIS DESIGN PROBLEM. IN MY OPINION, THE EARLY NEON HEAD GASKETS SHOULD BE RECALLED TO FIX THIS DEFECT. *AK
THE HEAD GASKET IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT DEVELOPS A LEAK AT CYL#4. IT WAS DETECTED WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN OVERHEATING. A NEW HEAD GASKET WAS DEVELOPED MID 1998 DUE TO THE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS AND WAS USED SUBSEQUENTLY FOR ALL NEW ENGINES AND REPAIRS. *AK
VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS BUBBLING. CONSUMER THOUGHT IT WAS SOME COOLANT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIFFY LUBE AND COOLANT/OIL CHANGE WAS DONE. TWO DAYS LATER, VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING HOT AND WAS TAKEN TO FIRESTONE. THEY CHECKED THE THERMOSTAT AND NOTICED THAT COOLANT HAD LEAKED ONTO THE SPAR…
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VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS BUBBLING. CONSUMER THOUGHT IT WAS SOME COOLANT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIFFY LUBE AND COOLANT/OIL CHANGE WAS DONE. TWO DAYS LATER, VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING HOT AND WAS TAKEN TO FIRESTONE. THEY CHECKED THE THERMOSTAT AND NOTICED THAT COOLANT HAD LEAKED ONTO THE SPARK PLUGS. IT WAS TAKEN TO FAST TO JIFF LUBE, PROBLEM IS STILL HAPPPENING. *AK
I FEEL THAT BECAUSE OF THE NEGLECT OF CHRYSLER, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. I INCURRED EXPENSES OF $55.80 FOR PARTS, AND $495.15 FOR LABOR. AT 61,535 A CAR SHOULD NOT NEED A HEAD GASKET TO BE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE COMPRESSOR AND THE CONDENSER. THE CONDENS…
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I FEEL THAT BECAUSE OF THE NEGLECT OF CHRYSLER, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. I INCURRED EXPENSES OF $55.80 FOR PARTS, AND $495.15 FOR LABOR. AT 61,535 A CAR SHOULD NOT NEED A HEAD GASKET TO BE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE COMPRESSOR AND THE CONDENSER. THE CONDENSER WAS LEAKING OIL AND THE EXPENSES INCURRED AGAIN WERE APPROXIMATELY $630. I FEEL THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR SOME OF MY REPAIR COSTS. *AK
BLOWN HEAD GASKET ANLONG WITH THE FRONT BRAKES NEEDED REPLACED AND THE REAR BRAKES LEAKING. THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK. I KNOW THERE MAY BE EXTRA MILES ON MY CAR HOWEVER MOST WERE HIGHWAY DUE TO ALLOT OF TRAVELING SO THESE PARTS TO GO OUT SO SOON ARE VERY DISSAPOINTING WHEN I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF MY CAR
OVERHEATED THE LAST WEEK OF DECEMBER 99 AND HAVE BEEN LOSING RADIATOR FLUID SINCE THEN; NO SIGN OF WATER IN OILPAN UNTIL TODAY. TOWED TO AN OREGON DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MANUFACTURER WILL ONLY PAY FOR THE PARTS AND NOT LABOR. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AS WELL AS ONE OF THEIR MECHANICS ADMITTED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE …
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OVERHEATED THE LAST WEEK OF DECEMBER 99 AND HAVE BEEN LOSING RADIATOR FLUID SINCE THEN; NO SIGN OF WATER IN OILPAN UNTIL TODAY. TOWED TO AN OREGON DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MANUFACTURER WILL ONLY PAY FOR THE PARTS AND NOT LABOR. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AS WELL AS ONE OF THEIR MECHANICS ADMITTED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ORIGINAL CORK-BASED HEAD GASKET DESIGN AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS A NEW METALLIC-BASED GASKET. IF THE MANUFACTURER HAS THESE NEW PARTS AVAILABLE WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL FOR THIS ITEM? CONSUMERS OF THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL SHOULD BE REASSURED THAT THE VEHICLE THEY HAVE PURCHASED WILL NOT FAIL DUE TO ONE FAULTY ITEM! *AK
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED UP, SPEED DOES NOT ACCELERATE PASSED 20MPH UNTIL IT HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR AT LEAST A HALF AN HOUR. DRIVER HAS TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE IN ORDER TO STAY OUT OF FAST TRAFFIC. DEALER CAN'T FIND THE CAUSE. *AK
VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND WAS INFORMED THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKET NEEDS REPLACEMENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE WHEN WEATHER IS COLD OUTSIDE. PREVIOUSE OWNER HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT FOR SAME PROBLEM IN 1995. OWNER NOW HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT FOR HARD SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. INSURANCE COMPANY REFUSED TO COVER DUE TO DESIGN FLAW FROM MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT COVERING EVENTHOUGH A NEW UP…
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VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE WHEN WEATHER IS COLD OUTSIDE. PREVIOUSE OWNER HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT FOR SAME PROBLEM IN 1995. OWNER NOW HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT FOR HARD SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. INSURANCE COMPANY REFUSED TO COVER DUE TO DESIGN FLAW FROM MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT COVERING EVENTHOUGH A NEW UPDATED PART IS AVAILABLE. *AK ACCORDING TO THIRD PARTY MECHANICAL INSPECTOR IT WAS FOUNDING THAT THERE WAS A MATERIAL FAILURE TO THE FORWARD PISTON SEAL DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE INSURANCE POLICY DOES NOT COVER DESIGN FLAWS. *YH
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