Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Cruise control was set at 63 MPH. Coming to brake, did not disengage. Pedal got stuck, did not release. Rearended vehicle in front. Air bag deployed. Had seat belt on. Vehcile caught on fire. This defect resulted in an accident.
I had the head gasket go out on my Neon within one year of owning it. I know have the head gasket leaking again, and I'm told that I have not driven over 35,000 miles since the first replacemen.t I should call and complain. When I did I find out from a Chrysler dealership here in kansas city that they have seen alot of Neon's come in for this problem. I refuse to put out this kind of money on a car that I'm still paying on, especially when this was replaced a short time ago. I feel Neon's are a piece of junk!! I have nothing good to say about Dodge ,and I hope I can discourage anyone from buying one. I also found out that this should be a recalled part because of the high demand of replacements. I work very hard to make my monthly payments so that should tell you that I do not have spare change sitting around for expensive repairs. …
Engine complaints in other Neon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1995 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA has 294 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1995 Dodge Neon, 30% of the model year's 976 complaints. The component named most often is engine (217 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Dodge Neon engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 9 fires and 2 injuries and 1 death to engine & cooling 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.