Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Dodge Neon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
: the first week of June, my son was involved in a accident which caused the air bags to deploy. Both bags did deployed, but the passenger side air bag caught on fire. Fortunately no one was in the passenger seat, but the fire was severe enough to char the seat. I contacted the manufacturer and they did an investigation. In a letter they sent to me they say "our inspection revealed that the threshold for air bag deployment was met and the proper air bag deployment did occur". I don't feel that a fire caused by air bag deployment should be considered "proper deployment". It has taken me over a month to get them to look into this and to get this kind of response I find upsetting. Do you consider this as "proper air bag deployment"? I am sending you this on the recommendation of [email].
The car was totalled in a front end collision with the rear of a large Cadillac. The airbags did not deploy. We estimate the speed at impact to be about 20 to 25 miles per hour. The front end of our Neon appeared to be severely damaged (crumpled hood; destroyed radiator; etc . . .). The manufacturer claims that "damage to the front of your vehicle was not sufficient to cause the deployment of this life saving device." this seems ludicrous to us, particularly since we purchased the vehicle with the specific intent of providing important additional safety protections for our daughter. Please let us know if you have recieved similar information from others and what if any actions has been or May be take to hold the manufacturer accountable.
1)instrument gauges work sporadically: speedometer fails most not reporting any speed, or sticking at last location. Tachometer fails same way, and on occasion all gauges stick at current position. 2) exterior brake lights: brakes lights remain on/do not shut off while driving and even after car has been shut off completly. I've found them still on after several hours (no other lights on) 3) left turn signal: from time to time when you hit the brakes the left turn signal switches on. 4) car stereo: stereo/tape player stopped working. Clock does not come on, nothing. It does light up with interior lights but does not work at all. 5) was rear-ended in mva and airbags did not deploy.
When the transmission failed the dealer told me I ran it out of fluid/ I was 2 mo. / 2000 miles from factory warranty and they would not help pay for any of the $1350 they wanted me to pay/ had it towed to an independant mechanich which told me that the back of the transmission had a large hole blown out of the back of it, couldnt keep transmission fluid in it that way. Found a used one with 2,000 mi. Charged $800. This car has been nothing but trouble since day one. I will never buy another Dodge, ever!! The dealers try to rob you blind and the co. Doesn't know you once they have gotten their money. Paid 10,500 for this car 2 years ago and have been paying ever since.
Both front air bags deployed when vehicle struck a pothole in the road. Three occupants were in the vehicle at the time of the incident. Both front seat occupants were slightly injured as a result of the air bag deployment. The passenger in the rear seat, a 7 month pregnant female, was not injured. Car veered of the road and hit curb on undercarriage of vehicle after airbag deployment. The contact with the curb caused some damage, but the vehicle is still drivable.
Consumer was traveling on highway and another vehicle veered into her vehicle, and it was totaled. Driver's side airbag deployed. Father of the consumer was concerned abouth the color of debris that came from airbag. Blue coloring burned consumer's shirt. Consumer suffered minor injuries.
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. The air bag light and the seat belt light comes on sometimes. The speedometer as well as gas guage were inoperative.
Air bags: driving approximately 55mph and car ahead was coming to a stop. Jammed on brakes to stop and front end of car went underneath car in front. Both air bags deployed, blowing out the windows on the driver's and passenger's sides. Also blew the vents on the driver's and passenger's sides.
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.
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision in which the passenger's air bag deployed into rear passenger seat. Dealer and manufacturer were not notified at this time. Consumer stated both airbags did deplot, and the passengers airbag ejected out of the dashboard.
NHTSA investigations
Oversensitive air bag deployment
There is no summary currently available
Oversensitive air bag deployments
Airbag complaints in other Neon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1995 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA has 106 complaints about the air bags of the 1995 Dodge Neon, 11% of the model year's 976 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (88 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Dodge Neon airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1995 Dodge Neon, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1995 Dodge Neon airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 115,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 64 crashes, 8 fires and 65 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.