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: 18 of 481 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 147 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 86 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
57 crash reports29 fire reports44 injury reports
What owners actually said
481 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 1999
Unknown Or Other
A LOT OF PEOPLE I TALK HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I THANK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. I STILL OWN ABOUT $6,000 ON THE CAR. PLEASE HELP ME IN ANY WAY . MY SISTER INLAW WAS HAVING SAME PROBLEM .I MET THIS LADY AT THE GAS STATION SHE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON NEON. SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONE IN SUMM…
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A LOT OF PEOPLE I TALK HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I THANK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. I STILL OWN ABOUT $6,000 ON THE CAR. PLEASE HELP ME IN ANY WAY . MY SISTER INLAW WAS HAVING SAME PROBLEM .I MET THIS LADY AT THE GAS STATION SHE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON NEON. SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONE IN SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #715186
Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING THE OIL TO MIX WITH THE RADIATOR COOLANT FLUID. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THIS BY AN MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE WHOLE ENGINE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED. CHRYSLER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #852928
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 1999
Air BagsInjury
I WOULD LIKE TO INFORM ANYONE AND EVERYONE ABOUT THE CONTINUED INJUSTICE THE AIR BAGS THAT WE OUGHT TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO DISCONNECT THESE DANGEROUS HAZARDS. I WAS DRIVING INTO A GAS STATION WITH MY ONE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER INTHE REAR CHILD SEAT WHEN I WAS EXITING THE STATION I HIT A SEWAGE GRATE AND MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THANK GOD I…
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I WOULD LIKE TO INFORM ANYONE AND EVERYONE ABOUT THE CONTINUED INJUSTICE THE AIR BAGS THAT WE OUGHT TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO DISCONNECT THESE DANGEROUS HAZARDS. I WAS DRIVING INTO A GAS STATION WITH MY ONE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER INTHE REAR CHILD SEAT WHEN I WAS EXITING THE STATION I HIT A SEWAGE GRATE AND MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THANK GOD I WASNT ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE OR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. IF YOU COULD EXAMINE THE AIRBAG ISSUE AGAIN I WOULD CERTAINLY APPRECIATE. SO THAT NO ONE HAS TO DIE DUE TO CAR MANUFACTURERS GREED OF MORE PROFIT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #714606
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 1999
Unknown Or Other
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #714425
Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #714199
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON OUR NEON AND DEALER ADMITTED 40 FAILED HEAD GASKETS SO FAR THIS YEAR THAT HE HAS REPLACED. NOW IN FOR REPAIR AT THE DEALER AND HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT HEAD IS ALSO BAD BECAUSE OF THE LEAK. THEY WANT $1,400.00 FOR A HEAD THAT WAS DAMAGED BY WHAT SEEMS TO BE A RE-OCCURING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. YOUR NHTS…
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HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON OUR NEON AND DEALER ADMITTED 40 FAILED HEAD GASKETS SO FAR THIS YEAR THAT HE HAS REPLACED. NOW IN FOR REPAIR AT THE DEALER AND HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT HEAD IS ALSO BAD BECAUSE OF THE LEAK. THEY WANT $1,400.00 FOR A HEAD THAT WAS DAMAGED BY WHAT SEEMS TO BE A RE-OCCURING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. YOUR NHTSA SERVICE BULLETIN 09-05-98 INDICATES THEY DID MAKE A CHANGE IN THE TYPE OF HEAD GASKET. I REGESTERED A COMPLAINT WITH CRYSLER AND THE DEALER HAS CONTACTED CRYSLER ABOUT OUR PROBLEM. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT CRYSLER "MIGHT" HELP OUT AND PAY "SOME AMOUNT". OF THE HEAD GASKET BILL. EARLY ON WITH THIS PROBLEM WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, AND FLUSHED OUT THE COOLING SYSTEM, AND REMOVED THE RADIATOR AND HAD IT CLEANED. NONE OF THESE PROBLEMS FIXED THE PROBLEM AND WE TOOK IT BACK AGAIN. THIS IS WHEN HE FOUND THE LEAKY HEAD GASKET. HE CALLED OUT TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT IF THEY HAD SEEN THE PROBLEM BEFORE AND THEY TOLD HIM IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY HAD REPLACED 40 SO FAR THIS YEAR. NOW I HAVE A $1,400.00 TO $1,700.00 BILL FOR A PROBLEM THAT CRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT OR AT LEAST THIS LOCAL DEALER HAS SEEN 40 TIMES THIS YEAR.
NHTSA ODI #714176
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLOWING OUT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A MFR. RECALL. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #851058
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 1999
SteeringCrash
WHILE DRIVING STEERING WENT OUT, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND HAD A WRECK. DLR HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #850949
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 1999
Air BagsInjury
CONSUMER WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, AND AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER FACE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849024
Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 1999
Power Train
WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND WHILE GOING. HAD SLOWED DOWN & KNOCKING CONTINUED. LATER THE NOISE WAS LOUDER & SMOKE APPEARED. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD, AND SAW THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT TRANSFER CASE HAD CRACKED, CAUSING TRANSMISSION…
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WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND WHILE GOING. HAD SLOWED DOWN & KNOCKING CONTINUED. LATER THE NOISE WAS LOUDER & SMOKE APPEARED. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD, AND SAW THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT TRANSFER CASE HAD CRACKED, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO BE INOPERATIVE/LEAK . *AK
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
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