1995 Plymouth Neon

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 481 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine. It has been recalled 6 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine74
011
Air Bags › Frontal39
22220
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline30
141
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar25
322
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip25
402
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components20
715
Unknown or Other16
010
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System14
102
Air Bags14
7014
Steering12
200

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar97V169000
Filed Oct 7, 1997375,000 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

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

Risk. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL CAN OCCUR.

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

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings96V228000
Filed Nov 18, 1996180,000 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

Defect. THE FUEL AND REAR BRAKE TUBES CAN EXPERIENCE ACCELERATED CORROSION BETWEEN THE TUBES AND A RUBBER ISOLATOR.

Risk. 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 › Master Cylinder96V075000
Filed May 3, 1996151,800 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

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

Risk. 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings94V034000
Filed Feb 23, 19947,100 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

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.

Risk. 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.

Power Train94V033000
Filed Feb 23, 19947,100 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

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

Risk. 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip94V026000
Filed Jan 9, 19942,700 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

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

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Interior LightingFire
Filed Sep 22, 201560,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 PLYMOUTH NEON. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLER AND STEERING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND INTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V169000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Dec 15, 2010143,121 milesIN

PRIMARY HOOD LATCH COMES UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER STATES THAT CABLE CONNECTING LATCH TO INTERIOR HAS STRETCHED OVER TIME LEADING TO THIS FAILURE - THIS IS A SERIOUS MVSS DESIGN DEFECT THAT COULD LEAD TO A FATALITY. DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR AT NO CHARGE. *TR

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Aug 18, 2008124,800 milesCO

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.*TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed Jan 3, 200735,000 milesGA

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT 1995 PLYMOUTH NEON HAS BEEN RECALLED. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLEWAS NOT PART OF RECALL, CAMPAIGN # 94V033000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD POWER FAILURE THAT STARTED DURING 2004. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND HAS BEEN TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED HIS VEHICLE LOST POWER, BUT THE VEHICLES ENGINE CONTINUED TO STAY ON. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AND THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED VERY SLOWLY REGARDLESS OF THE PRESSURE EXERTED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 1/2/07 WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT IT DID RESTART IMMEDIATELY. *AK

Power Train
Filed Mar 30, 2006104,000 milesWI

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. MY CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY, TOLD ME THAT MY VIN, "FELL THREW THE CRACKS". BECAUSE OF THIS I AM LEFT WITH A UNSAFE CAR. I WILL BE ALSO FILING SAFETY COMPLAINTS WITH MY CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY ABOUT THIS ISSUE/PROBLEM. MY HUSBAND WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY (03/29/06) BECAUSE IT SHUT OFF ON HIM ON HIS WAY TO HIS V.A. APT. THERE WERE 4 CARS BEHIND HIM AND A SEMI IN FRONT OF HIM. IT KILLS ME TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THE OTHER CARS DIDN'T REACT IN TIME. THANK GOD THE OTHER CARS REACTED FAST ENOUGH, BY TURNING INTO DIFFERENT LANES. AS THERE WAS NO PLACE FOR HIM TO PULL OFF ON. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Dec 10, 2005IN

NUMEROUS HEATING COOLING PROBLEMS. INCORRECT TEMPERATURE GAUGE, OVERHEATING, RADIATOR FANS NOT COMING ON, ERRATIC FAN OPERATION, WATER LEAKING IN FROM FIREWALL POURING INTO THE BLOWER MOTOR CAUSING BLOWN FUSES, FAULTY BLOWER MOTORS AND SOAKING CARPETS. WIRING PROBLEMS CAUSING FUSES TO BLOW WHEN FANS WOULD KICK ON, A/C WAS TURNED ON, OR DASH WOULD EMIT SMOKE WHEN THE PARKING BREAK WAS ENGAGED WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING, ERRATIC GAUGE CLUSTER, OFF AND ON GAUGES, INTERIOR LIGHTS FAILURE. *NM

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Lock
Filed Dec 9, 2005IN

TRUNK WOULD COME UN-LATCHED ON ITS OWN RESULTING IN THEFT OF PROPERTY FROM VEHICLE. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Sep 19, 2005118,000 milesTX

DUE TO CORROSION, THE BRAKE LINES RUPTURED WHILE I WAS BRAKING. I FEAR THAT THE CORROSION WILL ALSO LEAD TO FUEL LINE LEAKAGE. THERE IS AN EXISTING RECALL ON BOTH COMPONENTS, MY VIN# IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS CAMPAIGN NUMBER ON BRAKE LINES 96V2280000*JB

Electrical System
Filed Aug 31, 200527,000 milesTN

I BOUGHT THIS CAR...WITH A TRADE IN WITH A PONTIAC BONNEVILLE..I HAD BAD LUCK WITH THIS NEON 1995 MODEL FROM DAY I DROVE..THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAIL AND THEY SOMETIMES WORK..LIKE EX..TO SEE HOW MUCH GAS, AND HOW FAST I AM GOING..ODOMETER..AND THE TEMP GAUGES..THEY WORK AND MOST OF THE TIME THEY DO NOT!..I ALSO SEEN A OIL LEAK AND THE CAR SEEMS TO USE ALOT OF OIL..AND A VERY BAD SMELL COMES FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD!...I AM SICK AND TIRED OF ME HAVING TO FIX SOMETHING THAT I FEEL IS THE DEFAULT OF THE MANUFACTURER OF PLY. NEON COMPANY SHOULD FIX THESE THINGS FREE OF CHARGE!!! I WISH SOMEBODY WILL CALL ME SOON AS POSSIBLE..I AM UNSURE OF HOW I WILL BE SAFE OR THE CAR CATCH ON FIRE WHILE ME & 2 KIDS ARE INSIDE OF IT..I FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH THIS NEON!! WHEN I PAID A TRADE IN FOR NICER CAR, I GOT THIS ONE BECAUSE IT WAS BETTER FUEL MILES BUT AFTER I GOT THIS CAR, I SEE THIS WAS A LEMON FROM DAY ONE AND I HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS AND THE INSTRUMENTS DROP ALL THE TIME, AND I FEEL IT'S THE CAR MANUFACTURE SHOULD FIX THIS IMMEDIATELY! I AM VERY UPSET AND HOPE YOU ALL SEE TO IT THAT I GET THIS CAR LOOKED INTO BY VIA PAID FOR BY PLY., MANUF...THANK YOU, WILLA IN TN. *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed Mar 31, 200585,000 milesNY

POWER CONTROL MODULE FOR THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE STALLED AND SHIFTED IMPROPERLY. RECALL 94V033000 WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed Mar 2, 200525,000 milesTN

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SOMETIMES DO NOT SHOW HOW MUCH GAS, OR TEMPT GAUGES DO NOT WORK...IT SEEMS IF IT IS COLD -OR DAMP-RAINING OUTSIDE- THE GAUGES DO NOT WORK...I HAVE A FEELING THERE IS MORE RECALLS ON MY PLYMOTH-NEON 1995. *AK

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 28, 2004DC

DURING IMPACT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSED NUMEROUS BURNS TO FACE, NECK, HANDS, CHEST ARMS AND SHOULDERS. *BF THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED. *NM

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 20, 2004IN

MY GRANDFATHER OWNS A 1995 PLYMOUTH NEON AND THE PAINT IS CHIPPING OFF SO BADLY THAT IT IS TURNING WHITE AND I DON'T APPRECIATE IT. IT LOOKS CRAZY AND THAT IS NOT HOW A BUSINESS IS RAN. MY COUSIN HAS THE SAME EXACT CAR AND HER PAINT IS ALMOST 60% GONE AND THAT IS SO UNPROFESSIONAL SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPOSIBLE WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON HERE. IS ANYONE GOING TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE? WITH MALFUNCTIONS LIKE THIS I WILL NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH THIS COMPANY AGAIN. AND I WILL ALSO LET EVERY PERSON THAT WILL LISTEN HOW HORRIBLE THIS COMPANY TREATS ITS CONSUMERS.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 20, 2004NJ

THE VEHICLE'S HEAD GASKET BLEW.*MR THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET . *NM

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Jul 28, 2004WA

TO PROPERLY INSTALL A CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN THE REAR ON EITHER SIDE ( I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND CANNOT USE THE CENTER) THE SEAT HAS TO BE ALMOST ALL THE WAY BY THE DOOR BECAUSE OF WHERE THE LATCHES ARE POSITIONED IN THE REAR, WHICH SEEMS VERY UNSAFE TO HAVE THEM THAT CLOSE TO THE DOORS IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH FOUR DIFFRENT CHILD SEATS AND HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEM ALL.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jun 23, 200485,000 milesCA

THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK HAD A SMALL EXTRA HOLE IN IT WHICH WAS PLUGGED BY A SMALL VINYL PLUG. IT APPEARED THAT HE FUEL ATE THROUGH THE PLASTIC PLUG AND ALLOWED FUEL TO LEAK OUT. *AK *NM

Service Brakes, Air › Antilock
Filed Apr 9, 2004TN

THIS CAR IS SQEAKING BRAKES...DON'T SEEM VERY SAFE....AND NOISES UNDER THE CAR??*AK

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 28, 2004AZ

1995 2 DR NEON, THE PAINT STARTED BUBBLING AND THEN PEELING 6 MONTHS AGO. ALMOST ALL THE PAINT ON THE ROOF IS GONE, AS WELL AS THE BACK OF THE TRUNK. THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE BY THE BACK WINDOW IS ALSO MISSING A LOT OF PAINT.*AK I LIVE IN THE PHOENIX AREA AND ALMOST DAILY SEE UP TO 6 OTHER WHITE NEONS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Feb 19, 2004WI

CONSUMER WAS EXITING THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. THERE WAS A 4 INCH LONG SLIT IN THE TIRE.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 21, 2004ME

POOR DESIGN LEADS TO HEAD GASKET OF PLYMOUTH NEONS TO BLOW FREQUENTLY. CHRYSLER OFFERS NO RE-CALL OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CUSTOMERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS 63,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES.*AK

20 of 481 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200149311Fatalities reported
2000141653Fatalities reported
199962020Routine
1998167141Fatalities reported
1997161120Routine
19963082110Above average
1995 — this page4816294Fatalities reported
19943000Routine

Compare every Neon year →

Reading this record

4 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 7, 1997. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.