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 Plymouth Neon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I recently discovered that my 1995 Plymouth Neon has a blown head gasket. The dealer that I took it to for repairs told me that it was no longer under warrenty, but that I could contact Chrysler to see if they would cover the repairs. My car is in excellent shape and only has 63,000 miles on it. Chrysler has declined to cover any of the cost of parts and service for this repair, despite the fact that they are aware that head gaskets are a defect in this car. I have done some research and discovered that many Neon owners are fighting this same battle. I am apalled that a recall was never done on this part. View others problems with the Neon head gastket at this website. <http://groups.google.com/groups?q=Neon+head+gasket&ie=iso-8859-1&hl=en> I would appreciate it if you could give me any advice on this matter. Do you believe that this defect warrants a recall?
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.
Consumer was involved in a frontal crash , driving at approximately 30, when the engine compartment caught on fire, burning the interior and dashboard while driver was still in vehicle, causing injuires. Vehicle was totaled. Could not determine the origin of the fire. On impact of crash the windshiel came out of vehicle allowing fire into the interior.
The car has a crack in the head gasket I have learned that this is a problem with 1995 Neon's. I have also heard about a "secret warranty" but I can never get any help! This is a problem that I think needs to be looked into. Thank you. ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****749199
In August of 2000, I had my oil changed and noticed a few weeks later that I was low in oil. When I had my oil changed again in November they told me that I had an oil leak and that the cam seal needed replaced and it was. On January 4, 2001, I had my oil changed, and a few weeks later noticed that my oil was low again. I replaced the oil and noticed that it was continuously using about a quart of oil a week. I took it to a mechanic and he told me that I had a bad head gasket and to check with the dealership since it was known that the head gasket was bad on the Neon and they should replace it under their goodwill policy. I took it to the dealership and they told me that there were no recalls on the head gasket. I then spoke to dave casper at a different dealership to see if he could help me. …
Since my engine went out, I have talked to 17 mechanics and I have found out that the engine in the Neon is considered a throw away engine and that they are only expected to average around 100,000 miles, a fact that isnt told to the general public and should be. I am a single mother with a low income and the money I put out on that car was a fortune for me. I would just like to see other people be protected from being mislead into buying a car that is going to go out on them shortly after they buy it also. Something needs to be done about bad craftsmanship and dealers misleading people when selling used cars like this. …
While having a routine oil change at a "10 minutue" oil change place the service person noted that there was a problem and to get it checked out. After bringing it to a dealer they told me it was the head gasket. After checking around at other local garages, we found that there were many other cases of this same incident with the Neon vehicle. When I called Chrysler about this they said they were not aware of this problem , which is not possible - but after many phone calls and long discussions, they offered to pay for parts, which was helpful but not enough since the service person at the car dealer had said the part was obviously machined wrong and was defective- but they were also not going to help us with the cost.this left me with a $ 534.26 bill to pay for the service - which was alot of money to spend when this was obviously something that should have been recalled. …
Head gasket failure on our Neon and dealer admitted 40 failed head gaskets so far this year that he has replaced. Now in for repair at the dealer and have now been told that head is also bad because of the leak. They want $1,400.00 for a head that was damaged by what seems to be a re-occuring problem with this model. Your NHTSA service bulletin 09-05-98 indicates they did make a change in the type of head gasket. I regestered a complaint with crysler and the dealer has contacted crysler about our problem. The dealer indicated that crysler "might" help out and pay "some amount". Of the head gasket bill. Early on with this problem we took it to a mechanic who replaced the thermostat, and flushed out the cooling system, and removed the radiator and had it cleaned. None of these problems fixed the problem and we took it back again. This is when he found the leaky head gasket. …
My car currently has a busted head gasket, which at this point will cost me $1400 (about 10% of what I paid for it). I find it unacceptable that Chrysler has just recently made a proper fix and will not recall vehicles to repair this problem. Owners have to pay out of pocket for an expense that is not a normal "wear & tear" or cosmetic thing. This is a major flaw-I'm surprised that people have not been seriously injured/died because how this broken gasket could blow the engine! Of course, my little Neon doesnt compare with soccer-moms and their SUV's/Mini-vans air bag issue, but please please put pressure on Chrysler to do a recall! If I had a clue to this when I bought the car 3 1/2 yrs ago, I would not have purchased it or at least have the confidence that a recall was ordered and the problem was fixed. Thanks for the oppertunity to let my feelings be known.
I own a 1995 Plymouth Neon,recently I noticed an oil leak,come to find out in my investigation that most neons have had the same problem from 1995 to 1999.the head gasket can fail at just about any mileage ,from 10'000 on up. The Chrysler corp. Is being afforded the luxery of handling this problem on a case to case basis, under there secret warranties program ,which means that a person ignorant of this evident problem would more than likely pay more for repairs than a person with knowledge of the problem ,this is a very unfair way to let this problem be handled , I believe Chrysler should be made to recall this problem head gasket ,so that all consumers can be treated equally and honestly. Why should grandma have to pay $250.00 to repair her head gasket when curious george only has to pay $50.00 . Thank you.
Engine complaints in other Neon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1995 Plymouth Neon?
NHTSA has 147 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1995 Plymouth Neon, 31% of the model year's 481 complaints. The component named most often is engine (93 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Plymouth Neon engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 6 fires and 3 injuries 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.