Model year record

1995 Plymouth Neon recalls & problems

The 1995 Plymouth Neon has 6 safety recalls and 481 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (164 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints481filed by owners

Crashes · fires57 · 29reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths57 · 4reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SteeringOct 7, 1997

Steering wheel/handle bar

Recall 97V169000375,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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

Fuel system, gasolineNov 18, 1996

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 96V228000180,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Components: Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Service brakes, hydraulicMay 3, 1996

Foundation components › Master cylinder

Recall 96V075000151,800 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.

Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 23, 1994

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 94V0340007,100 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: THE REAR BRAKE LINE HOSE BRACKET SCREWS ON THESE VEHICLES WILL BE REPLACED.

Power trainFeb 23, 1994

Power train

Recall 94V0330007,100 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULES ON THESE VEHICLES WILL BE REPLACED.

Service brakes, hydraulicJan 9, 1994

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 94V0260002,700 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: MASTER CYLINDERS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR THE SUSPECT BUILD DATE CODE RANGE AND WILL BE REPLACED IF NECESSARY.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1995 Plymouth Neon 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Neon

28mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 34 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Neon

26mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	164	1	7	4	89,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	104	15	1	7	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Hydraulic power assist system	74	9	3	8	—
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	69	39	5	42	85,000 mi
Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers	67	1	10	4	25,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	41	1	0	0	85,000 mi
Unknown or other	26	0	1	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	23	0	1	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Turn signal	23	1	3	0	—
StructureBody; Body › Door	19	3	1	4	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Anchorage	19	3	0	4	—
VisibilityWindshield; Defroster/defogger/hvac system	17	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Interior lightingFire
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…
Aug 15, 2012 · 60,000 miles
Latches/locks/linkages
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
Dec 15, 2010 · 143,121 miles
Air bags1 injury
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
Jul 29, 2008 · 124,800 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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…
Jan 6, 2005 · 35,000 miles
Power train
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…
Mar 29, 2006 · 104,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
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
Aug 9, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages › Trunk lid › Lock
TRUNK WOULD COME UN-LATCHED ON ITS OWN RESULTING IN THEFT OF PROPERTY FROM VEHICLE. *JB
Jun 21, 2005
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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
Sep 16, 2005 · 118,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

STEERING COLUMN SEPARATIONClosed
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR…
DP03002 · opened May 7, 2003 · closed Jul 22, 2003
SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATEClosed
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.
PE02082 · opened Nov 6, 2002 · closed Apr 23, 2003
UNDERHOOD FIRESClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE98012 · opened Feb 26, 1998 · closed Jun 23, 1998
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTSClosed
EA98003 · opened Jan 30, 1998 · closed Jan 5, 2000
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE97042 · opened Sep 21, 1997 · closed Jan 30, 1998
LOSS OF STEERING CONTROLClosedLed to recall 97V169000
There is no summary currently available
EA97009 · opened Apr 30, 1997 · closed Oct 8, 1997
ALLEGED FIRES IN STEERING COLUMN AREAClosed
THE APPARENT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS THE ACCUMULATION OF BRASS POWDER, THAT WEARS OFF THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS INSIDE THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH.THIS POWDER COLLECTS IN SMALL TRAILS OF GREASE THAT TRACK FROM ONE CONTACT TO ANOTHER.WHEN THE CONCENTRATION OF BRASS IN THE GREASE GETS HIGH ENOUGH, IT CAN CAUSE A HIGH RESISTANCE SHORT.THIS SHORT, IN TURN CAN IGNITE THE GREASE AND CAUSE SMOKE TO BE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN.THE GREASE USED INSIDE THE SWITCH, AS WELL AS THE VARIOUS PLASTIC COMPONENTS IN THE COLUMN, ARE FIRE RETARDANT AND WILL NOT BURN WITHOUT A SUSTAINED HEAT SOURCE.THERE HAS BEEN ONLY A SINGLE VERIFIED INCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND THIS REPORTED FIRE WAS SMALL, INVOLVING SOME CHARRING OF THE STEERING WHEEL.ALL OTHER VERIFIED INCIDENTS WERE LIMITED TO SMOKE FROM THE COLUMN AND MINOR INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
PE97007 · opened Jan 31, 1997 · closed Apr 7, 1997
LOSS OF STEERING CONTROLClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE96069 · opened Nov 26, 1996 · closed Apr 30, 1997
LOSS OF STEERING CONTROLClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE94095 · opened Dec 28, 1994 · closed Apr 25, 1995