1995 Dodge Neon Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe coolant and oil leaks traced to the head gasket, along with brake problems where the pedal goes to the floor or brake fluid leaks from corroded lines. Many reports come from vehicles with well over 80,000 miles, though head gasket and electrical complaints appear at much lower mileage too. Air bag complaints split between deployments that did not happen in a crash and unexpected deployments over bumps.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Head gasket oil and coolant leaks

   • 167 complaints (17%)
   • median 66,150 mi at 8.3 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $600 (median of 15 quotes)
   • filed 1997–2009

   Complaints describe oil and coolant leaking from the engine, often traced to the head gasket, sometimes more than once on the same car. Owners report overheating, a loss of power, and in some cases the engine shutting off; several mention the dealer acknowledging it as a common pattern on this model. Some say repairs were repeated or that the cost was shared with them. Reported from roughly 46,000 to 130,000 miles, with several repeat failures after an earlier replacement.

   What to check: Check for oil or coolant residue around the head gasket area and under the car, and ask whether the head gasket has been replaced and at what mileage.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #735340, filed 2000-10

   “I just had the clutch repaired, and was told by mechanic that my head gasket is causing serious oil leak and needs to be repaired, I was told the dealership should repair this since it is a known problem with neons, mechanic stated he notice this problem with neons he has repaired.”

   NHTSA complaint #742700, filed 2001-03
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal to the floor or fluid leaks

   • 162 complaints (17%)
   • median 118,954 mi at 10.8 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 28 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2014

   Owners describe brake fluid leaking from lines or a master cylinder, and a brake pedal that sinks to the floor with longer stopping distances. Some reports mention corroded rear brake lines that broke while driving, and others say a dealer told them the vehicle fell outside a related recall by VIN. A few mention rear brakes locking up or a brake lining separating from the shoe. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 160,000 miles, with several complaints from vehicles past 110,000 miles.

   Recall 96V228000Recall 96V075000Recall 94V034000Recall 94V026000

   What to check: Have the brake lines, hoses and master cylinder inspected for corrosion or seepage, and ask whether the fuel and brake line recall work was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The rear brake line on the vehicle was so rusted that when I applied the brakes to make a left turn, the line broke and the brakes failed. Luckily I was not stopping for a child, stop light, or obstruction and did not experience a crash. The NHTSA should seriously consider having chrysler issue a safety recall and make notice publicly so that all owners of this make, model, year vehicle are advised and can then have their brake lines inspected and fixed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10156937, filed 2006-05, 140,000 miles

   “Dt: the contact states there is a NHTSA recall campaign 96v228000 concerning the ABS brakes. This vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall, but it is not included in the recall due to VIN. No repairs have been made.”

   NHTSA complaint #10145177, filed 2005-12, 123,943 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Air bags fail to deploy or deploy unexpectedly

   • 91 complaints (9%)
   • median 115,000 mi at 10.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 71 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2007

   Complaints describe front air bags that did not deploy in a collision, including at highway speed. Others report all front bags deploying without a crash, such as while turning into a service station or hitting a pothole or bump, with minor hand injuries in some cases. Owners report the dealer was notified in several of these cases. Reported from the mid-1990s through the mid-2000s, often on vehicles above 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the air bag warning lamp works and has been free of codes, and have the system scanned during a pre-purchase inspection given the age of the components.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “No airbag were deploy - I have been told by the repair shop that 1995 neons after 50k mileage has this problem - the car rental co. Told me they had 10 owners this month with the same proble for 1995 neons after 50k mileage.”

   NHTSA complaint #704503, filed 1999-03

   “Both front air bags deployed when vehicle struck a pothole in the road. Three occupants were in the vehicle at the time of the incident. Both front seat occupants were slightly injured as a result of the air bag deployment. The passenger in the rear seat, a 7 month pregnant female, was not injured. Car veered of the road and hit curb on undercarriage of vehicle after airbag deployment. The contact with the curb caused some damage, but the vehicle is still drivable.”

   NHTSA complaint #10132819, filed 2005-08, 75,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Stalling and driveability traced to control module

   • 58 complaints (6%)
   • median 74,000 mi at 8.8 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2018

   Owners describe the engine cutting out while driving, sometimes after a few miles and sometimes intermittently, with the check engine light coming on. Several complaints attribute it to moisture in the powertrain control module, and some owners say dealers declined repairs because the vehicle was outside a recall by VIN. Others report a repeatedly blowing fuel pump fuse that leaves mechanics unable to find the cause. Reported across a wide range, from about 60,000 to 160,000 miles, often while driving in wet conditions.

   Recall 94V033000

   What to check: Ask whether the powertrain control module has been replaced or sealed against moisture, and check that the recall campaign work for the control module was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The PCM on my 1995 Dodge NEON was replaced on june 16, 1994, 2 months after I bought the car. Done by jay chevrolet/geo/Dodge in island park, ny. My car has been stalling on me and shutting down off and on for the past 5 years. I spent over $4000 to have parts replaced and the car still has the problem. I want my car checked completely free of charge. It has only 110k and it has been cared for since day one. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11090883, filed 2018-04, 100,000 miles

   “Dt: the engine light came on. Vehicle stalled and shook. Took car to re pair shop where it was placed on a diagnostic machine. Mechanic said they could not perform any repairs to the car until it was taken to a dealer for recall repairs on transmission control module. Took to a dealer for repairs.”

   NHTSA complaint #10131585, filed 2005-08, 74,000 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Fuel leaks from tank, filler pipe and lines

   • 125 complaints (13%)
   • median 91,000 mi at 10.6 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • owner-quoted repair $572 (median of 12 quotes)
   • filed 1996–2011

   Complaints describe a slow gas leak noticed as drops on the garage floor, fuel spilling during filling from a corroded filler pipe or inlet tube, and a rusted-through tank that leaked when filled above half. One owner reports a cracked cover over the tank fitting and says the dealer would only replace the whole pump assembly. Most reports come from vehicles between about 50,000 and 150,000 miles, often older cars.

   Recall 96V228000

   What to check: Inspect the fuel filler pipe, tank and lines for rust, and check for a fuel smell after filling the tank.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have owned several first generation (1995-1999) Dodge and plymouth neons. Without exception, all of them have/had corrosion on the fuel filler pipe that was so bad that gasoline spilled on the ground when they were filled. I believe this is a safety hazard and is not, in my experience, normal.”

   NHTSA complaint #10427988, filed 2011-09, 142,000 miles

   “Neoprene cover over fuel drain nipple cracked, causing fuel leak. Part likely costs $2. Hill kelly Dodge (dealer) insisted the only means to correct was to replace entire fuel pump for $365. They allowed me to leave with the leak after I refused to pay $365, and dealer failed to replace safety shield over the area where fuel pump/ filter/wires, and tubes were located, thus allowing for possibility of object impact with fuel assembly.”

   NHTSA complaint #703051, filed 1999-02

Buying note. This model year draws a steady share of complaints about head gasket leaks and brake fluid loss, both of which can be costly if left alone. A pre-purchase inspection covering the cooling system, brake lines and fuel filler pipe, plus checking which recall work was completed, tells you most of what you need to know.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.