Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
295
Latest Jun 18, 2008
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
30%
of 976 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
14
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3
What this page shows
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1995 Dodge Neon submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 295 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming engine
The 25 most recent of 295, in the owner's own words
Body & structureBrakesHeating & air conditioning+2 more
Filed Jun 18, 2008
PEELING PAINT ON MY 1995 DODGE NEON. I AM ON MY THIRD TRANSMISSION, REPLACED AIR CONDITIONER BECAUSE OF SMOKE UNDER HOOD, BRAKES, ROTORS, FUEL LEAKING, VALVE COVER GASKET, HEAD GASKET, NO OIL IN ENGINE HAD IT TOWED. I ALSO IN THE TIME I OWN MY NEON I HAVE HAD ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS. AFTER REPLACING ALL THIS I ONLY HAD ONE RECALL SENT TO ME ON THE STEERING COUPLER. I HAD THAT FIXED AT THE DEALER. BUT, I HAVEN'T HAD ANY OTHER RECALLS SENT TO ME. 2 TRANSMISSIONS AND ALOT OF MONEY SPENT ON A LEMON. *TR
NHTSA ID
10231525
Incident
Sep 15, 2007
EngineTransmission
Filed Nov 25, 2005
VEHICLE DRIVES FROM APPROX 8 MILES BEFORE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THEN AFTER THAT THE ENGINE SPUTTERS AND STALLS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF WAITING THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN FOR A FEW MILES THEN STALLS AGAIN. AFTER SITTING ALL NIGHT VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN FOR A SHORT DISTANCE. OEDB2 CODE READER SAID CYLINDER 1 MISFIRE.. REPLACES SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, FUEL FILTER, CHECKED COIL. EVERYTHING SEAMS TO BE WORKING FINE. VEHICLE CAN BE RAN AT IDLE FOR VERY LONG TIME WITH NO COMPLICATIONS. PCM IS BAD.... THEIR IS A RECALL IN EFFECT BUT MY VIN DOESN'T MATCH UP. SEE RECALL 94V-033.. BEEN GOING ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW. AND AFTER RULING EVERYTHING OUT IT IS THE PCM... I BELIEVE THE RECALL SHOULD BE RE OPENED TO INCLUDE LAST 8 VIN CODE ST356500. *NM
NHTSA ID
10143645
Incident
Nov 25, 2005
Mileage
129,100 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 1, 2004
THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HAD GONE BAD. WATER SEEPED INTO THE TANK</A>. WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A CLANKING NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB *TC
NHTSA ID
10094154
Incident
Aug 1, 2004
Mileage
78,000 mi
BrakesEngineSuspension
Filed Jan 15, 2004
THE BRAKES ON THE CAR ARE JUST TERRIBLE. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2002, IT WAS A 1995 NEON DODGE(BEST I COULD BUY BACK THEN). BUT IN LESS THAN A YEAR SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE AIR CONDITIONER FIXED ONE TIME, THE PAINT IS BASICALLY PEELING OFF BY ITSELF, BUT THE WORST PART ARE THE BRAKES, I'VE HAD THEM CHANGED THREE TIMES IN LESS THAN EIGHT MONTHS. ONCE I ALMOST GOT IN CAR ACCIDENT BECAUSE THEY FAILED ON ME. SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN A SMALL LOCAL DEALER SHOP MUCH COULD NOT BE DONE, BUT I AM LOOKING FOWARD TO GETTING A BETTER CAR WITH BETTER SAFETY FEATURES.
NHTSA ID
10069957
Incident
Sep 15, 2003
Body & structureEngine
Filed Jan 15, 2004
THE CAR LEAKS WATER FROM SOMEWHERE. WHEN IT RAINS THE BACKSEAT FLOOR FILLS UP WITH WATER. THERE ARE NO WATER TRAILS RUNNING DOWN FROM THE WINDOWS SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE LEAK IS COMING FROM. THE AIR CONDITIONING HAS FINALLY DIED COMPLETELY - IT HAS BEEN SMELLING MUSTY FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE WINDOWS ROLL DOWN BY THEMSELVES. IF YOU GO OVER A BUMPY ROAD OR JUST DRIVE FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME THE WINDOWS START CREEPING DOWN. AFTER EVERY DRIVE I HAVE TO GO AROUND THE CAR AND MAKE SURE THE WINDOWS ARE ROLLED UP TIGHT.
NHTSA ID
10069169
Incident
Feb 15, 2003
Mileage
62,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 20, 2003
I OWN A 1995 DODGE NEON AND IT HAS A MAJOR HEADGASKET OIL LEAK THAT A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED. THE HEADGASKET LEAK HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE AND THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM BECAUSE I AM ADDING A QUART OF OIL EVERY THREE DAYS. THE ENTIRE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE IS COVERED IN OIL. I CHECKED THE NHTSA DEFECT INVESTIGATION REPORTS AND MANY CONSUMERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. EVERY TIME I DRIVE THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF BURNED OIL. ON 12-15-2003 SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM THE ENGINE. I AM VERY WORRIED THAT THIS MIGHT START AN ENGINE FIRE IF THE CAR GETS VERY HOT. I HAVE CHECKED VARIOUS AUTOMOTIVE WEBSITES AND IN ONE SITE A DODGE OWNER MENTIONS THAT HIS MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT A CUSTOMERS DODGE NEON HAD AN ENGINE FIRE. I CONTACTED A LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN DEFECT THAT IS ALSO A SAFETY RISK NOT ONLY OF ENGINE FIRES BUT ALSO ENGINE STALLS DUE TO LOW OIL LEVELS. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES MAKING STRANGE SOUNDS. *LA
NHTSA ID
10050835
Incident
Dec 15, 2003
Engine
Filed Sep 23, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE MISFIRED AND STALLED WHEN REACHING A HIGH TEMPERATURE. THE VEHICLE ALSO LEAKED COOLANT. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A CRACKED HEAD GASKET. *AK *TS *JB
NHTSA ID
10037727
Incident
Aug 27, 2003
Engine
Filed Sep 22, 2003
HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COOLANT GOES INSIDE THE ENGINE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ID
10040203
Incident
Sep 22, 2003
Engine
Filed Aug 15, 2003
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK *PH *JB
NHTSA ID
10027085
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 24, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THE VEHICLE LEAKED GASOLINE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. *AK *TS *JB
NHTSA ID
10024964
Incident
Jun 25, 2003
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jul 17, 2003
FUEL PUMP (20A) FUSE RANDOMLY BLOWS. 30A FUSES USED AND ALSO RANDOMLY BLOW CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. NO INDICATION OF PROBLEM WITH FUEL PUMP ITSELF. O2 SENSOR AND EGR VALVE HAS BEEN REPLACED. MECHANICS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ISOLATE THE CAUSE BUT HAVE FOUND DIFFERENT VARIATIONS OF CIRCUIT/WIRING DIAGRAMS FOR THIS '95 NEON SPORT MODEL VEHICLE. MECHANICS HAVE ALSO RECEIVED VARYING ADVICE FROM DODGE DEALERSHIPS ON THE CAUSE AND REMEDY. RESULT IS SAFETY HAZARD TO VEHICLE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS IF THE SYSTEM FAILS IN TRAFFIC.*AK
NHTSA ID
10028501
Incident
Jul 6, 2003
Mileage
74,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jun 10, 2003
CHRONIC ENGINE OIL LEAKS. CYLINDER HEAD OIL LEAK REPAIRED (INCLUDING FRONT CAM SEAL, VALVE COVER, SPARK PLUG TUBE, EGR, COVER TUBE FLANGE, INTAKE MANIFOLD, AND THROTTLE BODY) ON 11/26/99 AT 82K MILES. FRONT CAM SEAL REPLACED ON 12/31/01 AT 105K000MILES. FRONT CAM SEAL FAILURE ON 6/9/02 AT 125K MILES. FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO CAM SHAFT. ALL LEAKS WERE POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS.*AK
NHTSA ID
10021389
Incident
Jun 9, 2003
Mileage
82,741 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 10, 2003
Crash reportedFire reported
CRONIC ENGINE OIL LEAK. *AK
NHTSA ID
10021388
Incident
Jun 9, 2003
Mileage
82,741 mi
BrakesEngineTransmission
Filed May 31, 2003
TRANSMISSION DEFECTIVE. WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE IT MADE A LOUD BANGING NOISE. SHIFTED HARSHLY FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKES SQUEALED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAMSHAFT SEAL LEAKED OIL AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE VALVE COVER GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF AN OIL LEAK. *TT
NHTSA ID
10020805
Incident
May 14, 2003
Engine
Filed May 3, 2003
THERE SEEMS SO BE A BIG PROBLEM WITH DODGE NEON GASKET HEADS. THEY'RE FAULTY, THE COMPANY KNOWS THIS WHICH IS WHY THEY'VE BEEN REDESIGNED. I'VE HEARD THEY DON'T CONSIDER THIS A BIG ENOUGH PROBLEM, BUT ISN'T LEAKING OIL ON A HOT ENGINE DANGEROUS? *JB
NHTSA ID
10016969
Incident
Jan 15, 2003
Mileage
50,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 24, 2003
THE HEAD GASKET FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL.*JB
NHTSA ID
10009134
Incident
Feb 21, 2003
Mileage
82,300 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 24, 2003
THE HEAD GASKET FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL.*JB
NHTSA ID
10009133
Incident
Feb 21, 2003
Mileage
82,300 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 11, 2003
THE HEAD GASKET FAILED.*JB
NHTSA ID
10007081
Engine
Filed Jan 3, 2003
1 death reported
I AM REALLY CONCERNED WITH THE WAY CHRYSLER CORP. IS HANDLING THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS ON THE 95-98 NEON'S. SO FAR MY HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN BLOWN. MOST OF THE DODGE NEON 95 -99 HAVE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS RESULTING IN OIL LICK AND BURN OF FUEL. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET, WHICH WILL GOST ME ABOUT $1500.00. I ALSO HAVE NOTICED THE POOR CRASH RESULTS ON THE NEON 95. WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VERY SEROIUS INJURIES.
NHTSA ID
10000715
Incident
Dec 31, 2002
Engine
Filed Nov 7, 2002
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CYLINDER HEAD LEAKING OIL FROM BACK OF ENGINE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL SO THERE FOR THEY CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. TS
NHTSA ID
8022347
Engine
Filed Oct 30, 2002
Fire reported2 injuries reported
MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE FOR NO REASON AT ALL. IVE HEARD OF SOME OTHER DODGE, PLYMOUTH VEHICLES DOING THE SAME. DT
NHTSA ID
769122
Engine
Filed Oct 29, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE JERK AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THERE WILL BE A HEAVY VIBRATION. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
NHTSA ID
8021799
Incident
Mar 15, 2002
Engine
Filed Sep 30, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE TIMING BELT BROKE AND IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. NLM
NHTSA ID
8019880
Incident
Sep 16, 2002
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Sep 4, 2002
CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT SHORTYLY AFTER DEALER REPROGRAMMED PCM. REAR MAIN SEAL HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH CONSTANT LEAKS. RADIO BEGAN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY ABOUT YEAR AND HALF AGO AND NOW IS COMPLETELY OUT. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND THEN COMPLETELY WENT OUT. A/C CONDENSOR WENT OUT AND TOOK BELTS WITH IT. I HAVE DONE ALOT OF INTERNET RESEARCH AND WORD OF MOUTH RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT ALL THESE COMPONENTS ARE COMMON FAILURS. CALLED DODGE COMPLAINT LINE ONLY TO HAVE THEM TELL ME I'M SOL SINCE WARRANTY IS UP.*AK
NHTSA ID
766676
BrakesHeating & air conditioningElectrical+1 more
Filed Jul 24, 2002
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A FACTORY DEFECT, CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. *SLC
NHTSA ID
566721
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own