Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 PCM on my 1995 Dodge Neon was replaced on June 16, 1994, 2 months after I bought the car. Done by jay Chevrolet/Geo/Dodge in island park, ny. My car has been stalling on me and shutting down off and on for the past 5 years. I spent over $4000 to have parts replaced and the car still has the problem. I want my car checked completely free of charge. It has only 110K and it has been cared for since day one. My brother is a mechanic in oceanside, ny and has been my mechanic since I bought it new up until I moved to phoenix, az and all the mechanics I've used here can't fix my car. This is unfair if the problem is the PCM again. The car had complete diagnostics done by 3 mechanics and they can't find anything wrong. PCM does not show in diagnostics. P.s. I filled out my personal info with my current address but will be moving on May 12, 2018 to: 21220 n. 23rd ave phoenix az 85027
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.
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.
Dt: the engine light came on. Vehicle stalled and shook. Took car to re pair shop where it was placed on a diagnostic machine. Mechanic said they could not perform any repairs to the car until it was taken to a dealer for recall repairs on transmission control module. Took to a dealer for repairs.
Have had the car (1995 Neon) about 1 year - only had 61,000 miles on it and major transmission problems - transmission slips, in rain acts as if the car is going to stall or completely shut off, gets no power in wet conditions either.
On August 12th while driving on scatterfield dr, an area of high construction, my 1995 Dodge Neon suddenly stalled and quit right in the middle of traffic. I had a full tank of gas so I knew that was not the problem and luckily it was a construction area and traffic was moving rather slowly. I was able to pull off the road and the car would not start so I caledl peyton well auto at [phone], who on August 11th had just repaired my car for similar problems that included my battery light coming on and then the car May or maynot start.they sent a tow truck to get me. A month earlier the car stalled and just quit and I had it towed to this same dealership who charged me 300.00 to fix the electrical suspension and harness. On August the 11th I was told it was the starter and that cost me another 300.00. …
Instrument cluster loses power unexplicably during normal car usage. Power is immediatly restored after the loss, however it makes vehicle difficult to drive at times when odemter is being reset. Excessive leakage in vehicle's trunk and driver's side back seat has occured. Bosak to fix after car was recently bought, however, leak not completely fixed and re-discovered 1 year later. A hole was discovered in the drivere's side rear wheel well as a result of unexplicable excessive corrosion. It was also discovered that seals were broked on drivere's side door and window track was glued improperly causing the window and track to come loose. Out of pocket expences not revovered by dealership. Also discovered was a severe leake from head gasket. Called several repair places and found the Neon's have had much trouble in the past.. Excessive oil loss, and repairs are costly. …
My car has had a problem with overheating since I had it; but the service department at the dealership wpuld always say it was the thermostat when it wasn't. I changed the thermostat three times with the same problem. When the warranty ran out, I was told all these problems with the car that was existing before it ran out that would have been covered. The car has been leaking oil and smoking under the hood ( not exhaust valves) but I am told the head gasket blew out, and that this happened with alot of neons. Also the rear main seal leaks right around 60K miles which is when I started having oil problems. My car overheats in warm weather ,mostly when I am stopped at a light or in traffic and I have to cut the heat on until I start moving. I thought it was a fan malfunctioning, but again, the service department said it was the thermostat, which it wasn't. …
With car in motion and without any warning symptoms, clutch cable failed when clutch pedal was depressed. Driver was approaching an intersection and intended to stop the car. As a result, the car was "stuck" in gear with the clutch engaged, the engine running, and the car moving forward. The brake pedal was used to "stall" the engine and stop the car in the intersection the clutch cable was found to be failed at the point of entry into the transmission, which allowed the connecting bolt to fall inside the transmission, requiring disassembly of the transmission in order to remove the parts. The car had previously (about 2 yrs / 40 k miles) experienced intermittent squeaking niose as clutch pedal was depressed & released. This was reported to the dealer at the tim (2/97) who could not reproduce the noise.
Related recalls
Power train
Moisture can get into the powertrain control module (PCM) causing driveability malfunctions, including stalling.
Remedy: The powertrain control modules on these vehicles will be replaced.
Transmission complaints in other Neon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1995 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA has 93 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1995 Dodge Neon, 10% of the model year's 976 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (40 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Dodge Neon transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 94V-033 (power train, Feb 23, 1994). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Dodge Neon transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.