1995 Plymouth Neon Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year report a wide spread of problems, most often engine and cooling issues such as head gasket failure and overheating, and steering column coupler problems tied to a recall. Many complaints are filed at moderate mileage, roughly 60,000 to 100,000 miles, and some failures such as cooling and computer/stalling symptoms can appear suddenly while others such as oil leaks and gauge faults tend to come on gradually.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Head gasket failure and overheating

   • 81 complaints (17%)
   • median 76,200 mi at 6.9 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,334 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 1995–2005

   Owners describe coolant loss, overheating, oil leaks, and a blown or cracked head gasket, sometimes with a cracked engine block after a single overheat. Several say they were told the repair was not covered by warranty or that an assistance program had mileage limits. Some mention running rough, low oil, and repeated gasket replacement. Reported from roughly 63,000 to 100,000 miles, often after an overheating event.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check for coolant loss, oil in coolant or coolant in oil, and a smell of exhaust in the coolant. Ask whether the head gasket has been replaced and inspect for external oil leaks.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****749199”

   NHTSA complaint #10006449, filed 2001-07, 89,000 miles

   “I recently discovered that my 1995 Plymouth NEON has a blown head gasket. The dealer that I took it to for repairs told me that it was no longer under warrenty, but that I could contact chrysler to see if they would cover the repairs. My car is in excellent shape and only has 63,000 miles on it. Chrysler has declined to cover any of the cost of parts and service for this repair, despite the fact that they are aware that head gaskets are a defect in this car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10000185, filed 2002-12, 63,400 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls, cuts out, or loses power

   • 31 complaints (6%)
   • median 72,267 mi at 10.3 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2007

   Complaints describe the engine stalling or cutting off at speed or at idle, backfiring, rough running, and the check engine light coming on. Some owners say a power control module or computer was replaced and the problem returned. Several express concern that their vehicle was not included in a related module recall. Mostly reported between roughly 35,000 and 125,000 miles, at a variety of driving speeds.

   Recall 94V033000

   What to check: Ask whether the powertrain control module recall service was performed and whether the module has been replaced. Check for a stored check engine light and test-drive at highway speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “A recall is listed on n.h.t.s.a. (national highway safety traffic association) for my vehicle make/model/year, for it's PCM-(power control module). However I did call chrysler, they told me that they do VIN filtering due to their selective VIN filtering my car's was not put on the list for the recall of the PCM-(power control module). My vehicle stalls shuts off out of the blue and shifts improperly in 2nd gear. The recall# 94v033000 was issued, however my vehicle was not included in the recall, because my VIN. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10154230, filed 2006-03, 104,000 miles

   “My NEON backfires and loses power then stalls, does it driving at 55 or at 10. Wait 30 mins and it will start after backfiring several times. Our local chrysler dealer kept the car for 12 days and it did not stall so they said it was fine , also put through diagnositcs and found nothing. They also came to roadside with diagnostics and found nothing while it was stalled. However it is still doing the same thing. A friend has suggested oxygen sensor. If this is it , why didn't chrysler mechanics find the problem?? …”

   NHTSA complaint #736846, filed 2000-11
3. 3
   Air bags

   Air bag deployment and warning light

   • 60 complaints (12%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 13.8 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 43 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2015

   Owners describe air bags deploying in low-speed bumps, potholes, or minor impacts, and in some cases failing to deploy in a collision. Others report the air bag warning light coming on intermittently. Complaints describe injuries, burns, and a broken window from deployment. Reported from around 60,000 to 125,000 miles and in a range of impact conditions, including parking-lot and driveway speeds.

   What to check: Check that the air bag warning light is not illuminated and ask whether the air bags have ever deployed or been replaced. Look for signs of prior front-end repair.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brakes failed to work right when my boyfriend wrecked the car which then made him hit the guard rail. The air bags didn't come out. We contacted the place we got the car from but they could not tell us anything. Then the transmission went out of it on october 1, 2003. The whole transmission exploded. We were told the place we bought it from did not put in new clutch and pressure plate and throw out bearings in when we had just bought it. We had told them the clutch was making noise. They would not fixed it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10071032, filed 2004-01, 85,000 miles

   “While driving into the driveway, both air bags deployed causing injuries to our 16 year old daughter. She incurred impact burns and a sprain to her left wrist.”

   NHTSA complaint #10238719, filed 2008-08, 124,800 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering column coupler separation

   • 46 complaints (10%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 17.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2015

   Owners report loss of steering control, steering lock-up, and a decoupled or broken lower steering column coupler, sometimes after an underbody impact. Several say dealers declined or delayed the recall repair because parts were unavailable or written notification had not arrived. One owner also describes the steering column smoking and needing coupler and harness replacement. Reported across a wide mileage range, from around 60,000 miles upward, including while driving on wet roads.

   Recall 97V169000

   What to check: Confirm the steering column coupler recall was completed and inspect the coupler and steering column for looseness or damage. Ask for the recall service record.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recall # 97v16900 chrysler/steering column coupling. Owner states the dealer is not honoring terms as described in recall notice for corrective action. The corrective action calls for replacing of the steering column coupling.”

   NHTSA complaint #823311, filed 1998-05

   “Vehicle is involved under recall # 97v169, steering column coupling. Consumer took vehicle to dealer june 1,1998 to have recall repairs done, and was informed that the parts were not available.”

   NHTSA complaint #825302, filed 1998-07
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake fluid leaks, spongy or failing brakes

   • 40 complaints (8%)
   • median 101,500 mi at 9.9 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Owners describe poor or failing brakes, a brake pedal that goes soft, brake lines rupturing from corrosion, and metal-to-metal noise. Some mention premature front pad wear and sticking calipers, and repairs were sometimes paid out of pocket. Mostly reported at higher mileage, from roughly 100,000 to 118,000 miles, and on older vehicles.

   Recall 96V075000Recall 94V034000Recall 94V026000Recall 96V228000

   What to check: Inspect brake lines, hoses, and the master cylinder for corrosion or leaks, and check pedal feel. Ask whether the brake-related recalls were performed on this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicles front brake pads have premature wear and tear, having to change every 5,ooo, and the manufacturer has a technical TSB on this, has to put heavy duty material which is still changed every 5,000 miles. This is also due to calipers freezing.”

   NHTSA complaint #813042, filed 1997-06

   “While driving, experienced brake failure when attempting to slow/stop high speeds vehicle pulled to right, and at low speeds noticed metal to metal squeal.”

   NHTSA complaint #985188, filed 1996-06

Buying note. Because this model year is quite old, condition and service history matter more than anything. Ask for proof that the steering coupler and brake recalls were completed, check for coolant and oil leaks, and test-drive at highway speed to watch for stalling.

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.