Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 711 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.3 times the median Neon year — the 1995 model ranks #1 of 8 Neon years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 5 deaths and 77 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (164), brakes (105), and steering (74), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
711
NHTSA complaints
6
Recalls
9
Investigations
77
Crash-involved
36
Fires reported
77
Injuries
5
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 164 | 23% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 105 | 15% | new |
| Steering | 74 | 10% | new |
| Electrical System | 72 | 10% | new |
| Airbags | 69 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 41 | 6% | new |
| Other | 26 | 4% | new |
| Lighting | 25 | 4% | new |
| Fuel System | 22 | 3% | new |
| Seat Belts | 19 | 3% | new |
| Body & Structure | 19 | 3% | new |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 18 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 17 | 2% | new |
| Speed Control | 14 | 2% | new |
| Suspension | 13 | 2% | new |
| Tires & Wheels | 5 | 1% | new |
| Latches & Locks | 5 | 1% | new |
| Seats | 3 | 0% | new |
6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH , DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30, WHEN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE, BURNING THE INTERIOR AND DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVER WAS STILL IN VEHICLE, CAUSING INJUIRES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. COULD NOT DETERMINE THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. ON IMPACT OF CRASH THE…”
“BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND MECHANIC TEST DROVE VEHICLE. INFORMED OWNER THAT ABS BRAKES WERE WORKING JUST FINE AND WERE NORMAL. LATER, WAS DRIVING VEHICLE, AND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LACK OF BRAKING POWER.*AK”
“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH ON A CITY STREET, SHE WAS PROCEEDING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION GOING STRAIGHT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CAME INTO HER LANE AND VEERED INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE STRAIGHT ON, CAUSING IT TO JUMP INTO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, AND RESULTING IN A CRASH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR…”
“VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN WAS BURNING, OWNER DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY BECAUSE IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS OFF AND NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON, CONSUMER THINKS THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE HEADLIGHTS, WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION 96…”
“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH ON A CITY STREET, SHE WAS PROCEEDING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION GOING STRAIGHT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CAME INTO HER LANE AND VEERED INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE STRAIGHT ON, CAUSING IT TO JUMP INTO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, AND RESULTING IN A CRASH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 711 complaints put the 1995 model at #1 of 8 Neon years. It is one of the Neon years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (164 complaints), brakes (105 complaints), steering (74 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1995 Plymouth Neon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 9 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Neon years to avoid are 1995, 1996. The cleanest record among Neon years belongs to 1994.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.