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 · Feb 10, 2000
Air BagsInjury
AIR BAGS DEPLOYED - WHILE DRIVING BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT COLLISION. DRIVER SUFFERED LEFT ARM INJURIES AND CUTS ON HAND. POLICE WOULD NOT TAKE A REPORT BECAUSE NO OTHER CARS INVOLVED. CHRYSLER SAYS THAT WE HIT SOMETHING IN THE UNDERBODY TO CAUSE THE BAGS TO DEPLOY - THIS IS AN OUT AND OUT LIE. WE ARE NOW FOLLOWING UP …
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AIR BAGS DEPLOYED - WHILE DRIVING BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT COLLISION. DRIVER SUFFERED LEFT ARM INJURIES AND CUTS ON HAND. POLICE WOULD NOT TAKE A REPORT BECAUSE NO OTHER CARS INVOLVED. CHRYSLER SAYS THAT WE HIT SOMETHING IN THE UNDERBODY TO CAUSE THE BAGS TO DEPLOY - THIS IS AN OUT AND OUT LIE. WE ARE NOW FOLLOWING UP ON A POSSIBLE DEFECT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #718582
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION TO A FEW DIFFERENT SERVICE CENTERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THE SAME. THE DIAGNOSIS REVEALS THAT MY HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING OIL. UPON INSPECTION AT EACH DIFFERENT SERVICE CENTER, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL NEONS BETWEEN 95-98 THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLE…
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I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION TO A FEW DIFFERENT SERVICE CENTERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THE SAME. THE DIAGNOSIS REVEALS THAT MY HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING OIL. UPON INSPECTION AT EACH DIFFERENT SERVICE CENTER, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL NEONS BETWEEN 95-98 THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM. I HAVE EVEN BEEN TOLD THIS FROM A SERVICE REP AT THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. I PURSUED THIS ISSUE BY CONTACTING CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND AFTER ROUGHLY TWO WEEKS, I WAS TOLD THAT CHRYSLER DENYS ANY CLAIM OF NEGLIGENCE IN THE MANUFACTURING OF MY HEAD GASKET. EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER NEONS OR OTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME SIZE ENGINE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, THEY WILL NOT ASSIST IN ANY REPAIR OF THIS KIND. *AK
NHTSA ODI #718522
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
SMELLED GAS BUT DIDN'T NOTICE ANY LEAK OR PROBLEM UNTIL ATTEMPTING TO REFILL GAS TANK. AT THAT POINT, NOTICED THAT FILLER TUBE HAD CORRODED AND BROKE AWAY FROM REFILL THROAT MOUNTING. DEALER SAID IT WAS CORRODED, BUT NOT UNDER RECALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #854367
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2000
Electrical System
CONSUMER HAD EXPERIENCED TROUBLE WITH HEATER/DEFROSTER, AND HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING, AND SMOKE COMING FROM DASHBOARD. THIS FORCED CONSUMER TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE OF POOR VISIBILITY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #856216
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2000
Electrical System
HEADLIGHTS WERE ON AND FLICKERED. SOMETIMES CAR FLUTTERED/ LOST POWER. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. WHILE DRIVING AGAIN SMOKE CAME FROM THE CRACKS OF THE DASH/AIRBAG COMPARTMENT AND VENTS. SMOKE FILLED THE CAR UP, AND DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE, OR BREATH. THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. …
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HEADLIGHTS WERE ON AND FLICKERED. SOMETIMES CAR FLUTTERED/ LOST POWER. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. WHILE DRIVING AGAIN SMOKE CAME FROM THE CRACKS OF THE DASH/AIRBAG COMPARTMENT AND VENTS. SMOKE FILLED THE CAR UP, AND DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE, OR BREATH. THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. NO HEAT/ REAR DEFROSTER, OR BLINKERS. ALSO, WHEN TURN ON THE SIGNALS, CONSUMER WOULD HEAR A BUZZING SOUND, AND BLINKERS WOULD NOT WORK. ONLY THING THAT WORKED WAS THE RADIO ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #856168
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
OIL LIGHT CAME ON, CAR WAS LEAKING OIL, HAD CAR TOWED, INFORMED OF HEAD GASKET PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #718132
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN TO OTHER DODGE NEON OWNER THAT I HAVE TALKED. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN THE SUMMARY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #717955
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2000
Power Train
STALLED ON FREEWAY AT 55 MPH, STALLED IN MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AT 45 MPH AT NIGHT,
NHTSA ODI #717890
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
AS I WAS DRIVING MY 1995 NEON HOME FROM WORK, I NOTICED THAT THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I BECAME CONCERNED AND PULLED INTO THE NEAREST SERVICE STATION WHICH WAS LESS THAT 1/2 MILE AWAY. I ASKED THE SERVICE TECH TO LOOK AT THE CAR AND HE SAID THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK. HE SUGGESTED THAT I HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AND SEE IF THERE WERE…
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AS I WAS DRIVING MY 1995 NEON HOME FROM WORK, I NOTICED THAT THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I BECAME CONCERNED AND PULLED INTO THE NEAREST SERVICE STATION WHICH WAS LESS THAT 1/2 MILE AWAY. I ASKED THE SERVICE TECH TO LOOK AT THE CAR AND HE SAID THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK. HE SUGGESTED THAT I HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AND SEE IF THERE WERE ANY LOOSE FITTINGS FROM MY PREVIOUS OIL CHANGE A FEW WEEKS EARLIER. THE OIL WAS CHANGED AND THE CAR STARTED ONLY TO CONTINUE TO LEAK OIL AGAIN. I WAS TOLD NOT TO DRIVE IT AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SEAL/PLUG HAD CRACKED OFF AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, I WOULD NEED A NEW SHORT BLOCK INSTALLED IN MY 5YR OLD CAR AT A PRICE OF $3500.00. I FEEL THAT THE CAM SEAL/PLUG IS DEFECTIVE AND THAT IS WHY IT CRACKED OFF. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER PEOPLE IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY/REPAIR INDUSTRY AND IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE NEON CAR. I CANNOT IMAGINE THAT I SHOULD BE HELD TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE WHEN I DID EVERYTHING I WAS SUPPOSED TO DO BY STOPPING THE CAR IMMEDIATELY. I SPOKE TO CHRYSLER DIRECTLY AND WITHIN MINUTES OF CONTACTING THE DEALER, THEY (CHRYSLER) AGREED TO PAY HALF OF THE REPAIR ONLY IF I HAD THE SERVICE DONE AT A DODGE DEALERSHIP. I APPRECIATED THIS GESTURE BUT I AM STILL LOOKING AT PAYING $1700.00 OUT OF POCKET FOR THE DAMAGE. I FEEL THAT CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THIS DEFECTIVE PART. I HAVE READ COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE AND WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE A PHONE CALL TO SEE IF I CAN GET ANY HELP IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, I AM EXTREMELY UPSET AT THIS POINT. I HAVE CONTACTED MY DEALER AND WROTE A LETTER TO THE GENERAL MANAGER. I DID RECEIVE A CALL FROM THE SVC MGR, WHO WILL ADMIT NO FAULT. AT THIS POINT I AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE SVC MGR WITH A FIRM REPAIR PRICE BUT AS OF YET, HE HAS NOT RETURNED BY CALL. I FEEL THAT I AM BEING UNFAIRLY TREATED AND BEING PENALIZED BECAUSE I DID NOT BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY.
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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