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 Plymouth Neon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 number: 97V169000 (steering). The failure mileage was 60,000.
Brakes failed to work right when my boyfriend wrecked the car which then made him hit the guard rail. The air bags didn't come out. We contacted the place we got the car from but they could not tell us anything. Then the transmission went out of it on October 1, 2003. The whole transmission exploded. We were told the place we bought it from did not put in new clutch and pressure plate and throw out bearings in when we had just bought it. We had told them the clutch was making noise. They would not fixed it. They said it was nothing when I took it in; that's just neons they said... My biggest concern beside the tranny and clutch is the air bags not coming out at all...
Defective headgasket caused erosion and damage to the head, Chrysler denies to cover cost of $2500. There are many reports on the internet of broken headgaskets in the neons and Chrysler admits to the defect and pays to repair some, but says vehicle has too many miles and consumer is a third owner so they won't cover it. On 22-feb-2002 consumers son was hit head on by another vehicle traveling at 35 MPH, the driver and passenger airbags did not deploy, the vehicle caught fire on impact, consumer was injured in accident, the doors would not open, consumer had to crawl out of the windows.
While at 40 MPH going down hill around a turn consumer applied brakes and they were too hard. Consumer's vehicle went into other lane and struck another vehicle head-on. Vehicle burst into flames and airbags did not deploy. Consumer mentions recalls 94V034, 94V033, and 96V228, consumer attempted to get these recall repairs two weeks prior to accident, however dealer refused due to VIN, consumer states these recalls are related to the accident.
Consumer was traveling about 40mph on a city street, she was proceeding through an intersection going straight when another vehicle came into her lane and veered into consumer's vehicle straight on, causing it to jump into the opposite direction, and resulting in a crash. Upon impact, driver's air bag failed to deploy. Vehicle was totaled, and consumer sustained internal injuries.
While driving ready to make a left into a parking lot and the passenger's tire hit a curb, and both air bags deployed which burned the driver's hand. She was rushed to the hospital. There was an investigation going on, ea 98 003. The air bag deploying.
Vehicle was hit in the rear and impacted another vehicle head-on 35 to 40 MPH. The driver's and passenger's side air bags did not deploy, and passenger 's side seat belt unlatched from seat belt buckle. Please provide any details.
Vehicle was involved in an accident, neither air bag deployed. Also front seat belt did not lock and caught the consumer, dealer contacted. An investigator examined the vehicle, and response given was that the vehicle was okay.
During impact air bags deployed, caused numerous burns to face, neck, hands, chest arms and shoulders. The consumer believes the air bag system in the vehicle was defective and that the vehicle should be recalled.
Vehicle was going 40-45mph and another vehicle made a sudden stop causing consumer's vehicle to rearend other vehicle. Passenger's airbag deployed, but driver's didn't. No injuries to driver.
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 Plymouth Neon?
NHTSA has 61 complaints about the air bags of the 1995 Plymouth Neon, 13% of the model year's 481 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (49 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Plymouth Neon airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1995 Plymouth 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 Plymouth Neon airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 32 crashes, 5 fires and 38 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.