VehicleVerdict

1995 Dodge Neon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,415 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.2 times the median Neon year — the 1995 model ranks #1 of 13 Neon years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 20 deaths and 159 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (336), brakes (242), and steering (125), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

1,415

NHTSA complaints

11

Recalls

9

Investigations

174

Crash-involved

72

Fires reported

159

Injuries

20

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1995 compare to other Neon years?

Neon NHTSA complaints by model year, 1995 highlighted1,415 complaints1993: 4 complaints1994: 10 complaints1995: 1,415 complaints1996: 887 complaints1997: 553 complaints1998: 451 complaints1999: 152 complaints2000: 489 complaints2001: 199 complaints2002: 230 complaints2003: 290 complaints2004: 141 complaints2005: 133 complaints
Neon NHTSA complaints by model year, 1995 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Neon years to avoid →

What are the most common 1995 Dodge Neon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine33624%
Brakes24217%
Steering1259%
Electrical System1168%
Airbags1168%
Transmission1027%
Fuel System544%
Speed Control504%
Visibility & Wipers473%
Other433%
Lighting423%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)352%
Suspension302%
Body & Structure232%
Seat Belts181%
Tires & Wheels171%
Seats141%
Latches & Locks50%

Does the 1995 Dodge Neon have recalls?

11 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

06E060000LightingJune 29, 2006 · 87,745 units

Defect

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy

AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

97V169000SteeringOctober 7, 1997 · 375,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLER CAN BECOME DISCONNECTED WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES AN UNDERBODY IMPACT.

Consequence

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL CAN OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLER WITH A COUPLER DESIGN THAT COLLAPSES ON IMPACT.

96V228000Fuel SystemNovember 18, 1996 · 180,000 units

Defect

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.

96V075000BrakesMay 3, 1996 · 151,800 units

Defect

THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.

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.

94V033000TransmissionFebruary 23, 1994 · 7,100 units

Defect

MOISTURE CAN GET INTO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CAUSING DRIVEABILITY MALFUNCTIONS, INCLUDING STALLING.

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.

94V034000BrakesFebruary 23, 1994 · 7,100 units

Defect

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

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.

94V026000BrakesJanuary 9, 1994 · 2,700 units

Defect

THE ABS BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER REAR SEAL ALLOWS AIR TO ENTER THE BRAKE SYSTEM, CAUSING SPONGY BRAKES OR PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MANY PERSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH CAR. ESPECIALLY WITH HEAD GASKETS AND BRAKES. HAVE HEARD FROM MANY OTHER NEON OWNERS OF HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. HAVE HAD BREAKS REPLACED AT LEAST EVERY YEAR OF OWNERSHIP AND SOMETIMES TWICE IN A COUPLE OF YEARS. BREAKS SQEAK AND MOAN REGARDLESS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH SMELLED SMOKE, AND THEN SAW THE FIRE WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. ALSO, BRAKES OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY, AND THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. BRAKES FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY ESPECIALLY ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 9, 1999 · fire

“CONSUMER CONTACTED SUPERIOR MAZDA IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 97V-16900, MANUFACTURER 741 TO HAVE REPAIRES CORRECTED, DEALER CORRECTED PROBLEM LISTED UNDER RECALL. THE DAY AFTER REPAIRES WAS WERE DONE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 28, 1998 · crash

“CONSUMER WAS SMELLING RUBBER BURNING. DEALER REPLACED A SENSOR, 2-3 DAYS LATER VEHICLE WOULD SKIP. MECHANIC CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS, AND NOTICED THE SPARK PLUG WIRES LAYING AGAINST THE MOTOR AND WERE MELTING BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING THERE TO SUPPORT THE WIRES. THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION AT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 28, 1998 · fire

“CONSUMER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT - AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS STATIONERY WHEN A TRUCK IMPACTED FRONT END OF CONSUMERS VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 25 MPH. *AK THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND THE SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON SOMETIMES. THE SPEEDOMETER AS WELL AS GAS GUAGE WERE INOPERATIVE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 3, 2001 · crash

1995 Dodge Neon — common questions

Is the 1995 Dodge Neon reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,415 complaints put the 1995 model at #1 of 13 Neon years. It is one of the Neon years to avoid.

What are the most common 1995 Neon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (336 complaints), brakes (242 complaints), steering (125 complaints).

Does the 1995 Dodge Neon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns affecting the 1995 Dodge Neon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1995 Dodge Neon under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 9 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Neon years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Neon years to avoid are 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 1998. The cleanest record among Neon years belongs to 1993.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.