NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
147 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Sep 4, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
SINCE MY ENGINE WENT OUT, I HAVE TALKED TO 17 MECHANICS AND I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THE ENGINE IN THE NEON IS CONSIDERED A THROW AWAY ENGINE AND THAT THEY ARE ONLY EXPECTED TO AVERAGE AROUND 100,000 MILES, A FACT THAT ISNT TOLD TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND SHOULD BE. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH A LOW INCOME AND THE MONEY I PUT OUT ON …
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SINCE MY ENGINE WENT OUT, I HAVE TALKED TO 17 MECHANICS AND I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THE ENGINE IN THE NEON IS CONSIDERED A THROW AWAY ENGINE AND THAT THEY ARE ONLY EXPECTED TO AVERAGE AROUND 100,000 MILES, A FACT THAT ISNT TOLD TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND SHOULD BE. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH A LOW INCOME AND THE MONEY I PUT OUT ON THAT CAR WAS A FORTUNE FOR ME. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SEE OTHER PEOPLE BE PROTECTED FROM BEING MISLEAD INTO BUYING A CAR THAT IS GOING TO GO OUT ON THEM SHORTLY AFTER THEY BUY IT ALSO. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT BAD CRAFTSMANSHIP AND DEALERS MISLEADING PEOPLE WHEN SELLING USED CARS LIKE THIS. I WAS LED TO BELIEVE "THESE LITTLE CARS GO FOREVER" WHEN INDEED IT WAS COMMON KNOWLEDGE AMONG THE DEALERS AND THE COMPANY THAT BUILDS THESE CARS THAT MY CAR, AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, ONLY HAD AN ESTIMATED 5,000 MILES LEFT ON THE ENGINE AND THAT THE COST OF THE REPAIRS ARE ALMOST AS MUCH AS I PAID FOR THE CAR. ALSO IN MY TALKING WITH DIFFERENT MECHANICS, I FOUND OUT THAT CHANGING THE HEAD ON THE ENGINE, WHICH IS WHAT THE DEALER WANTS TO DO TO MY CAR TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT 1500 DOLLARS, WILL CAUSE THE RINGS IN THE LOWER SECTION OF THE ENGINE TO FAIL IN ABOUT 2 TO 3 MONTHS LATER, WHICH WILL COST ME AROUND ANOTHER 1500 DOLLARS. THE DEALER WAS QUITE EMBARRASSED WHEN I MENTIONED THIS TO THEM. CONSUMERS NEED SOME KIND OF PROTECTION FROM THIS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #751631
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #751495
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
CHRYSLER HAS A SECRET ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ABOUT THIS PART. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMBEROUS OF FAILURES REPORTED TO CHRYSLER ABOUT THE HEAD GASKET. WHEN I CALLED THE CHRYSLER HOT LINE I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR 10 YEAR / 100,000 MILES BUT BECAUSE I HAVE 97,000 MILES THEY WILL NOT HELP ME. IF IT HAD FAILED AT …
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CHRYSLER HAS A SECRET ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ABOUT THIS PART. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMBEROUS OF FAILURES REPORTED TO CHRYSLER ABOUT THE HEAD GASKET. WHEN I CALLED THE CHRYSLER HOT LINE I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR 10 YEAR / 100,000 MILES BUT BECAUSE I HAVE 97,000 MILES THEY WILL NOT HELP ME. IF IT HAD FAILED AT 50,000 THEY WOULD HELP ME. THEY FEEL LIKE THE CAR IS AT THE END OF IT LIFE SO THEY DO NOT WANT TO PROVIDE ME WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. I GUESS THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE VERY MUCH FAITH IN THEIR PRODUCT TO LAST VERY LONG. SO I AM BEING PUNISHED BECAUSE I WAS LUCKY AND MY HEAD GASKET DID NOT FAIL AT 50,000 MILES SO CHRYSLER WILL NOT HELP.*AK
NHTSA ODI #750435
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR OVERHEATING, LEAKING OIL ON ENGINE, RUNING HORRIBLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #749584
89,000 miles · Jul 25, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CAR HAS A CRACK IN THE HEAD GASKET I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH 1995 NEON'S. I HAVE ALSO HEARD ABOUT A "SECRET WARRANTY" BUT I CAN NEVER GET ANY HELP! THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT I THINK NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. THANK YOU. *SCC ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****749199
NHTSA ODI #10006449
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. DEALER REPLACED ENGINE UNDER WARRANTY. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #892654
Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
1995 NEONS, HEAD GASKETS HAVE BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM, MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS, AND IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX (EST. $1100), I THINK THE COMPANY SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES SINCE IT'S A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #747858
Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING, AND SHUTDOWN . HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER, WHERE THEY FOUND OUT ENGINE HEAD HAD BLOWN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #891727
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A DELAY IN SHIFTING, AND NO POWER GOING UP HILLS. CONSUMER STATES GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED TO FLOOR, AND VEHICLE ONLY GOES 40 MPH. *AK CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION STICKS WHILE SHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR TO SECOND. OIL GAKSET LEAK WAS DETECTED AFTER 25000 MILES. BRAKES STARTED SQUEAKING AFTER 10000 MILES. …
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WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A DELAY IN SHIFTING, AND NO POWER GOING UP HILLS. CONSUMER STATES GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED TO FLOOR, AND VEHICLE ONLY GOES 40 MPH. *AK CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION STICKS WHILE SHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR TO SECOND. OIL GAKSET LEAK WAS DETECTED AFTER 25000 MILES. BRAKES STARTED SQUEAKING AFTER 10000 MILES. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #890373
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
TWICE NOW THE HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED ON MY CAR. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE "NEW STYLE" GASKET STILL WILL ONLY LAST 70K MILES. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPONANTS BECAUSE OF IT. DODGE/CHRYS/PLYM. IS NO HELP AT ALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #746398
Official recalls
6Oct 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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