AI Damage1995 Plymouth Neon: common problems
Owners of the 1995 Plymouth Neon filed 481 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 481
- involving a crash
- 59
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 31% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 18% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 15% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 13% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 5% of all complaints
- 8 Equipment 4% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 147 complaints (31% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 87 complaints (18% of all), 15 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 71 complaints (15% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 61 complaints (13% of all), 32 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 54 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 3 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 481 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 147 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 87 | 15 | 0 |
| Steering | 71 | 8 | 0 |
| Air bags | 61 | 32 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 54 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 38 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 21 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 17 | 2 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 16 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility | 15 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 12 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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
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.
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. Later, was driving vehicle, and was involved in an accident due to lack of braking power.
Upon impact, driver's air bag failed to deploy. Vehicle was totaled, and consumer sustained internal injuries.
Headlight system does not illuminate roadway to a sufficient distance in front of the car at "low beam".
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.
While driving at 65 mph tire blew out, causing the consumer to lose control of the steering, and the air bags didn't deploy. Vehicle flipped over twice,causing the consumer to go to the hospital.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 788 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 2% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Neon has 153 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 481, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1995 Plymouth Neon?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, service brakes, steering. Total complaints: 481. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (9%), steering or power steering problems (6%), overheating, coolant loss (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1995 Plymouth Neon?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1995 Plymouth Neon from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1995 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.