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1995 Plymouth Neon Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1995 Plymouth Neon carries 6 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering steering wheel/handle bar and antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Head gasket failure with oil or coolant leakage.” Plymouth ended in 2001, and everything with the badge is a Chrysler or Dodge underneath. The Voyager is a Caravan, the Neon is a Dodge Neon, the Laser is an Eagle Talon and a Mitsubishi Eclipse. Parts are shared and easy to find. Two things decide whether one of these lasts. First, the four-speed automatic in the minivans and Neons requires Chrysler ATF+4 fluid specifically. Generic Dexron will make it shudder and then fail, and this is the most common way these transmissions die. Second, several engines here use a rubber timing belt, including the 3.0 liter Mitsubishi V6 in the minivans, the 2.0 in the Neon, and the turbocharged four in the Laser. On the Laser's engine a snapped belt bends valves. If you cannot document the last belt, treat it as due.

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6 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Campaign #97V169000 · Jul 10, 1997

Issue: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLER CAN BECOME DISCONNECTED WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES AN UNDERBODY IMPACT.

Risk: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL CAN OCCUR.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLER WITH A COUPLER DESIGN THAT COLLAPSES ON IMPACT.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Campaign #94V026000 · Sep 1, 1994

Issue: THE ABS BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER REAR SEAL ALLOWS AIR TO ENTER THE BRAKE SYSTEM, CAUSING SPONGY BRAKES OR PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.

Risk: AIR ENTERING THE BRAKE SYSTEM CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OR PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKES WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Fix: MASTER CYLINDERS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR THE SUSPECT BUILD DATE CODE RANGE AND WILL BE REPLACED IF NECESSARY.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Campaign #94V034000 · Feb 23, 1994

Issue: THE REAR BRAKE HOSE MOUNTING BRACKET SCREWS CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE BRAKE HOSES TO MOVE OUT OF POSITION. THE UNRESTRAINED HOSES ARE THEN SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE WHICH COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.

Risk: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE WILL REDUCE THE BRAKING PERFORMANCEOF THE VEHICLE, EXTEND STOPPING DISTANCES, AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Fix: THE REAR BRAKE LINE HOSE BRACKET SCREWS ON THESE VEHICLES WILL BE REPLACED.

POWER TRAIN

Campaign #94V033000 · Feb 23, 1994

Issue: MOISTURE CAN GET INTO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CAUSING DRIVEABILITY MALFUNCTIONS, INCLUDING STALLING.

Risk: SHOULD DRIVE ABILITY MALFUNCTIONS OR STALLING OCCUR WHILETHE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT MAY OCCUR.

Fix: THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULES ON THESE VEHICLES WILL BE REPLACED.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Campaign #96V228000 · Nov 18, 1996

Issue: THE FUEL AND REAR BRAKE TUBES CAN EXPERIENCE ACCELERATED CORROSION BETWEEN THE TUBES AND A RUBBER ISOLATOR.

Risk: CORROSION OF THE TUBES CAN LEAD TO BRAKE FLUID OR FUEL LEAKAGE. THIS CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF BRAKES OR RESULT IN A FIRE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE, FUEL SUPPLY AND FUEL VAPOR TUBES FOR THE PRESENCE OF CORROSION. ANY TUBES SHOWING CORROSION WILL BE REPLACED. ALL VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE RUBBER ISOLATOR REPLACED WITH A PLASTIC CLIP.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Campaign #96V075000 · Mar 5, 1996

Issue: THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.

Risk: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT(S) WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT PRIOR TO PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.

Recall data refreshed Jul 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1995 Plymouth Neon.

Reported to NHTSA

Head gasket failure with oil or coolant leakage

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

51 NHTSA complaints · 1999-07 → 2004-08

“HEAD GASKET FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES; LEAKED OIL THROUGHOUT COOLANT SYSTEM, WHICH REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF ALL COMPONENT PARTS, SAVE FOR THE RADIATOR, AND THE OXYGEN FLOW SENSOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #769478
“HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING OIL TO LEAK INTO COOLANT AND ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. OVERHEATING OCCURED ON EXPRESSWAY CASUING ME TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. OIL AND COOLANT SPILLED OUT THROUGH THE OVERFLOW BOTTLE. DT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #768854
“DEFECTIVE HEADGASKET CAUSED EROSION AND DAMAGE TO THE HEAD, CHRYSLER DENIES TO COVER COST OF $2500”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #758154
“WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE JUMPED TO OVERHEATED AT WHICH POINT I PULLED OFF THE ROAD. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC MY HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN, WARPING ONE OF THE HEADS IN THE ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #719591

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Paint peeling and flaking

STRUCTURE

10 NHTSA complaints · 2000-02 → 2004-09

“1995 2 DR NEON, THE PAINT STARTED BUBBLING AND THEN PEELING 6 MONTHS AGO. ALMOST ALL THE PAINT ON THE ROOF IS GONE, AS WELL AS THE BACK OF THE TRUNK. THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE BY THE BACK WINDOW IS ALSO MISSING A LOT OF PAINT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10059977
“THE PAINT ON MY NEON--AS WELL AS A FLEET OF NEONS AT MY WORK--IS COMING OFF IN LARGE CHUNKS. MY ROOF IS COMPLETELY BARE, AND MY TRUNK AND OTHER SECTIONS ARE CLOSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #744532
“AFTER A RAIN, THE PAINT STARTED COMING OFF IN SHEETS. RECEIVED ESTIMATE OF ABOUT $895.00 FOR REPAIR AND SUBMITTED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP RESPONDED AFTER ABOUT 5 MONTHS OF CONSTANT CALLING AND GOING BY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD ONLY PAY 25% OF REPAIR BILL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #753834

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling and loss of power

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

14 NHTSA complaints · 2000-02 → 2007-01

“INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE JUST CUT OFF. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE JUNE OF THIS YEAR. THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WHICH MAY RESULT IN A FATALITY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #871165
“CARS JUST CUTS OFF INTERMITTENTLY; NO WARNING, USUALLY WHEN CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #729990
“VEHICLE HAS STALLED 4 TIMES AT SPEEDS OF 35-40 MPH. AT DEALER AT THIS TIME.*AK *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #887836
“POWER CONTROL MODULE FOR THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE STALLED AND SHIFTED IMPROPERLY. RECALL 94V033000 WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10117201

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag deployment without a crash or at low speed

AIR BAGS

8 NHTSA complaints · 1999-06 → 2008-08

“WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH VEHICLE WENT OVER A LARGE POTHOLE AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WINDOW WAS BROKEN BY AIRBAG. VEHICLE AT DEALER'S CURRENTLY, AMOUNT OF DAMAGE UNKNOWN. CONSUMER WAS NOT INJURED. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #889946
“WHILE COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. BOTH SIDE WINDOWS WERE BLOWN OUT DURING THE DEPLOYMENT. *AK *JG”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #840780
“WHILE SITTING AT A INTERSECTION AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ,AND UPON IMPACT AIR BAGS WENT OFF AND HIT CONSUMER IN FACE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8015422

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags not deploying in a crash

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2000-06 → 2002-12

“WAS TRING TO EXIT HIGHWAY WHEN TRAFFIC SUDDENLY STOPPED AND I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES BUT IT DIDN'T KEEP ME FROM REAR ENDING A TRUCK AND IT LEFT SKID MARKS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. DT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #770456
“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. *AK *SLC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #890271
“I WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER CAR GOING 35MPH AND IT PUSHED MY CAR FORWARD SMASHING THE FRONT OF MY CAR AS WELL AS THE BACK. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN MY CAR, BUT BOTH IN THE CAR THAT HIT ME. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #724122

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical wiring smoke and fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

8 NHTSA complaints · 1999-08 → 2002-05

“UNDER DASH WIRING SHORTED OUT, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #750894
“HEADLIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ON AFTER VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. HAD NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. CONTACTED DEALER WHO REFUSED TO LOOK AT VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER 2-3 WEEKS. HAD DISCONNECTED BATTERY & HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT & SMOKE STOPPED. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #844461
“FIRE STARTED INSIDE OF VEHICLE POSSIBLY DUE TO SHORT CIRCUIT OF REMOTE MIRROR WIRING OR MOTOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE. DISCOVERED BY DAUGHTER UPON OPENING DRIVER'S DOOR TO GO TO WORK. AT FIRST, SHE REALIZED THAT THE OUTSIDE DRIVER'S MIRROR WAS HANGING DOWN FROM THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #709819

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel leaks from corroded or failed fuel system parts

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

8 NHTSA complaints · 1999-08 → 2004-06

“WAS FILLING VEHICLE WITH FUEL & NOTICED IT WAS LEAKING ON GROUND. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT FILLER NECK HAD RUSTED & FELL OVER & OUT OF THE WAY. THIS CAUSED THE LEAKAGE.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #846145
“THE LINE BETWEEN TANK AND THE FENDER IS CORRODED AND FALLEN, CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #754227
“A RATTLE NOISE IN SIDE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AND TECHNICIAN NOTICED CORROSION OF FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLY DUE TO SALT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8006190

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Reduced braking and ABS faults

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

6 NHTSA complaints · 1999-12 → 2002-04

“WHILE DRIVING DRIVER DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL AND IT DID NOT RESPOND. CONSUMER SAID IT FELT "SQUISHY," AND BRAKES FELT LIKE THEY WERE GOING TO WORK, AND THEN THEY DIDN'T WORK. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #880217
“BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND MECHANIC TEST DROVE VEHICLE. INFORMED OWNER THAT ABS BRAKES WERE WORKING JUST FINE AND WERE NORMAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #883593
“WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE ON ANY WET SURFACE ABS DOES NOT WORK. SIMILAR TO RECALL # 94V026000. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #880245

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 9 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 1, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,000 mi

Chrysler specified 3,000 miles under the severe schedule, which is where an engine of this age belongs. Change at least once a year even if the car barely moves. Nothing in this lineup has an oil life monitor, so the interval is on you.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF+4)

Every 30,000 mi

Use Chrysler ATF+4 and nothing else. The 41TE transaxle, still often called the Ultradrive, is sensitive to fluid friction characteristics in a way most automatics are not. Drain and fill every 30,000 miles. If a shop offers to top it off with universal fluid, decline.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Timing Belt

Every 90,000 mi

Applies to the 3.0 V6 in the Voyager and Acclaim, the 2.0 in the Neon, and the turbo four in the Laser and Colt. Replace every 90,000 miles or 7 years, whichever comes first, and change the water pump and tensioner at the same time. The Laser's 4G63 is an interference engine, so a failed belt is engine damage rather than a tow. The 3.3 and 3.8 V6 use a chain instead and are not on this schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles. Check the DOT date code on the sidewall. On a car this old, tires almost always age out before the tread runs out.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, hoses, and hard lines at every service. Rear drums on the Neon, Sundance, and Acclaim seize on cars that sit, and rusted steel lines are a real concern anywhere road salt is used.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace every 2 years. On a twenty-five-year-old car this is what keeps the master cylinder and the ABS unit from becoming the repair bill.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

Copper plugs run 30,000 miles, platinum closer to 100,000. Replace the plug wires at the same time on anything with a distributorless coil pack. After this many years the wires break down before the plugs do.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. Simple on every model in the lineup.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt & Tensioner

Every 60,000 mi

This is the accessory belt, not the timing belt. Replace the belt and tensioner together once either is cracked, glazed, or noisy.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Coolant Replacement

Every 60,000 mi

Every 3 to 5 years. Most of this era uses conventional green coolant rather than a long-life formula, so do not stretch it on the assumption that modern intervals apply. The 2.0 Neon engine has a known head gasket history, and clean coolant with a correct pressure cap is the cheapest defense.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery & Charging System Test

Every 25,000 mi

Test the battery and alternator once a year. Corroded ground straps are common at this age and produce electrical faults that look far worse than they are.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

400 crashes 1990–2024

How the 400 occupant deaths break down

260

driver deaths

138

passenger deaths

2

not recorded by seat

400

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1994 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

68

complaints mentioning a crash

29

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1995 Plymouth Neon reflects Plymouth's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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