125 of the
1,415 complaints about the 1995 Dodge Neon are about the
steering — 9% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
130,916 miles.
CONSUMER FEELS THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A DEFECT IN 1995 NEON CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE HIS LIFE. *TS A RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT 5 MONTHS AFTER THE CONSUMERS SON WAS KILLED. THE CONSUMER DIDN'T PURSUE ANY LEGAL ACTION TO DETERMINE IF A STEERING DEFECT AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL NOTICE CAUSED THE HER SON TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10149724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,916 milesDuenweg, MOCrash2 injured
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
DT: THE CALLER SAID THAT BRAKES WILL NOT WORK ONE HAS TO HIT THE BRAKES AT THE LAST MINUTE. SHE SAID ONE CAN FEEL A POP, AND THEN THE BRAKES FAIL. SHE HAD TO RUN INTO A DITCH TO KEEP FORM HITTING SOMEONE. THE POLICE WERE CALLED, AND THERE A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WAS A CRASH. THERE WERE INJURIES TO THE PEDESTRIAN. SHE SAID THE HUB ASSEMBLY WAS BAD AND HAD IT REPLACED. ALSO, THE TIE ROD WOBBLED AND HAD IT REPLACED. HAD ANOTHER ACCIDENT WITH THE BRAKES WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF STOPPED SUDDENLY AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK. POLICE CAME AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE LADY IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS INJURED. DEALER WILL TAKE THE CAR TO DEALER, AND THEY WILL TALK ABOUT IT. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. CALLER SAID SHE WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THE VEHICLE HAD WHEN SHE BOUGHT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10136311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarkston, WACrashFire2 killed
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
AS INDICATED ON POLICE REPORT DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, RAN OFF THE SIDE OF A 2 LANE HIGHWAY, STRADDLED A GUARD RAIL AND SOME TREES, BEFORE FLIPPING OVER AND CATCHING ON FIRE. VEHICLE TOTALED. DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE KILLED. TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER COMPLAINED ABOUT STEERING PROBLEM . STEERING COLUMN COUPLING RECALL 97V169000 REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON 02/06/98. CAUSE OF FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10117031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Floral City, FLCrash
STEERING
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 1995 DODGE NEON WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND CAUSED HER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. SHE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX 35 - 40 MPH .THERE WERE NO ABNORMAL WEATHER OR ROAD CONDITIONS. SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TOWARDS THE RIGHT, AT THAT POINT SHE HAD A LOSS OF STEERING AND NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS NOT APPLYING THE BRAKES OR MAKING A TURN, JUST DRIVING ALONG AS SHE NORMALLY WOULD. PREVIOSLY WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS, SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILING. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP ONCE CAUSING A MINOR ACCIDENT , THE OTHER JUST CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TIRES. THE ACCIDENT WHEN THE STEERING FAILED WAS FORTUNATELY A MINOR ONE . BUT COULD JUST AS EASILY BEEN A VERY SERIOS POSSIBLY FATAL. SINCE AT THE TIME OF THE STEERING LOSS, THERE WAS NO WAY TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO A RESIDENTIAL HOMEOWNERS YARD AND PERSONAL PROPERTY THAT WAS LOCATED IN THE YARD. THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST BETWEEN TWO TREES BECAUSE IT WAS STOPPED BY A TENSION WIRE ATTACHED TO A TELEPHONE POLE WHICH WAS STRUCK AND BECAME WRAPPED AROUND THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. IF NOT FOR THAT SHE WOULD HAVE STRUCK A CONCRETE CULVERT ONLY A FEW FEET AWAY.. WE ARE PRESENTLY INVOLVED IN PROCEEDINGS TO HAVE THE CITATION SHE RECEIVED DISMISSED DUE TO FAULTY EQUIPMENT. ALSO I DID INQUIRE WITH DODGE MOTOR CORP RE SAFETY RECALL INFO...WHICH I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE HAS NO INCOMPLETE RECALL WORK , BUT I ALSO RECEIVED A CAR FACTS REPORT FROM CONSUMER GUIDE STATING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND THERE IS NO INFORMATION STATING THE WORK HAD BEEN COMPLETED BY DODGE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WHICH IF IT HAD BEEN CORRECTED THE INFO WOULD HAVE BEEN UPDATED TO SHOW THAT. IF YOU COULD PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS MATTER, AND POSSIBLY SAVE SOMEONE FROM THIS MESS. ALSO I HAVE A FRIEND WHO LOST HER ARM FROM HER 95 NEON CRASH FROM STEERING FAILURE OF WHICH I WAS UNAWARE UNTIL AFTER MINE.
NHTSA complaint #10062028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Wayne, INCrash
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THERE WAS LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO DEFECTIVE COLUMN COUPLING WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS RECALL 97V169000; HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WILL REPAIR DEFECTIVE COMPONENT. OTHER REPAIRS WERE CONSUMER'S RESPONSIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #8006670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WS, DC
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
CONSUMER CALLING IN REFENENCE TO NHTSA RECALL 97V169000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 741. CONTACTED DEALER, BUT PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL AUGUST 2002.
NHTSA complaint #887844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
STEERING:LINKAGES
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #744408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockford, IL
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHEN MAKING TURNS IN EITHER DIRECTION THERE IS A LOUD CREAKING SOUND. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO FOUND LOWER STEERING COLUMN COUPLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A RECALL 97V169000; BUT, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #886891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pmpano Beach, LACrash1 injured
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
THIS ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH. THE CAR VEERED LEFT AND PASS AIRBAG DEPLOYED THEN DRIVER AIRBAG. I TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING TO THE LEFT BUT THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND. I SUSTAINED INJURIES OF A BROKEN NECK. TWO MONTHS AFTER ACCIDENT I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE FOR BOTH THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE BRAKES. I BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BY A JUNKYARD HOWEVER I BELIEVE IT WAS REBUILTED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE OTHER REPORTED INCIDENTS OF THIS NATURE.
NHTSA complaint #739709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pompano Beach, FLCrash1 injured
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #738810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenvile, KY
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THEY WOULD GRIND. ALSO, WOULD HAVE TO PUMP BRAKES. DEALERSHIP REPLACED ROTORS AND BRAKES PADS. BUT, PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. IT HAS BEEN THREE WEEKS. *AK POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED OIL TO LEAK. THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE AND VEHICLE PULLS.
NHTSA complaint #868051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OAK Grove, GA
STEERING
WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND ENGINE CUT OFF.
NHTSA complaint #784428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethesda, MD
STEERING
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE 1995. I DO NOT USE THE CAR OTHER THAN FOR VERY LIMITED DRIVING AS SEEN IN MY LOW MILEAGE. IT IS MARCH 23 OF 2000, MY CAR HAS APPROX 29,000 MILES, VERY LOW AND ALL THESE PROBLEMS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP BEING TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET THAT THEY REPLACED IN 1/99 DID NOT HOLD, WHICH IN 99, THEY THOUGHT WAS ODD THAT IT WENT SO SOON. I AM ALSO HAVING THE CAR FIXED BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING SWITCH SENSOR HAS FAILED. I BELIEVE THAT ON A CAR WITH LITTLE MILEAGE THAT I SHOULD BE INCURRING THIS MUCH PROBLEMS. IF THIS CAR HAS THIS MANY PROBLEMS, THEY SHOULD REDESIGN THE CAR AND NOT SELL THEM UNTIL SO. ALSO, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT FITGERALD AND THEY CAN TELL YOU OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR!!!L
NHTSA complaint #720502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naugatuck, CT
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
WHENEVER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, IT WOULD MAKE A CLUNKING, POPPING NOISE. THE SWAY BAR WENT OUT. ALSO, WAS INFORMED THE BY THE MECHANIC THAT POWER STEERING RACK/ COIL, AND ENGINE HEAD GASKET NEED REPLACING.
NHTSA complaint #850999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clinton, TN
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHILE TURNING THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE. CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #850245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garner, NC
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
LOWER STEERING COLUMN RECALL. STEERING NOT REPAIRED, RESULTED IN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #530322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newville, PA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
LOSS OF STEERING OCCURRED WHEN I DROVE THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER DURING A RAINSTORM AND THE STEERING POWER WAS CUT CAUSING ME TO HIT A CONCRETE CURB AT ABOUT 15 MPH IN A PARKING LOT SCRATCHING THE PAINT ON THE FRONT BUMPER. SECOND THE WIRING IN THE DOME SWITCH IN THE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE WIRES IN THE LIGHTS ON REMINDER IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS SHORTED CAUSING THEM NOT TO WORK PROPERLY. AFTER THE RECALL FOR THE STEERING COUPLER WAS PERFORMED THE CAR TENDS TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT "STRAIGHT" WHEN DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD 2 ALIGNMENTS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT CORRECTED. THE HOOD IS NOT PROPERLY ATTACHED AND THE HOOD HITS THE RIGHT FENDER NOW CAUSING RUST TO FORM. THE ORIGINAL BATTERY ALSO CORRODED THROUGH BOTH TERMINALS FIRST CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO EVEN START THEN AFTER THE TERMINALS WERE REPLACED CAUSED THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT TO REMAIN LIT UNTIL THE TERMINAL WAS REPLACED AGAIN. ALSO FINALLY THE BRAKES MAKE LOUD SCREECHING NOISE WHEN APPLIED AND WHEN I HAD THEM CHECKED WAS TOLD IT WAS "BREAK DUST AND NOT TO WORRY
NHTSA complaint #711003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newville, PA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
LOSS OF STEERING OCCURRED WHEN I DROVE THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER DURING A RAINSTORM AND THE STEERING POWER WAS CUT CAUSING ME TO HIT A CONCRETE CURB AT ABOUT 15 MPH IN A PARKING LOT SCRATCHING THE PAINT ON THE FRONT BUMPER. SECOND THE WIRING IN THE DOME SWITCH IN THE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE WIRES IN THE LIGHTS ON REMINDER IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS SHORTED CAUSING THEM NOT TO WORK PROPERLY. AFTER THE RECALL FOR THE STEERING COUPLER WAS PERFORMED THE CAR TENDS TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT "STRAIGHT" WHEN DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD 2 ALIGNMENTS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT CORRECTED. THE HOOD IS NOT PROPERLY ATTACHED AND THE HOOD HITS THE RIGHT FENDER NOW CAUSING RUST TO FORM. THE ORIGINAL BATTERY ALSO CORRODED THROUGH BOTH TERMINALS FIRST CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO EVEN START THEN AFTER THE TERMINALS WERE REPLACED CAUSED THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT TO REMAIN LIT UNTIL THE TERMINAL WAS REPLACED AGAIN. ALSO FINALLY THE BRAKES MAKE LOUD SCREECHING NOISE WHEN APPLIED AND WHEN I HAD THEM CHECKED WAS TOLD IT WAS "BREAK DUST AND NOT TO WORRY
NHTSA complaint #711003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT PRIOR TO RECALL REPAIR (UNABLE TO BE REMEDIED), RECALL NOTICE SENT AND REPAIR WAS COMPLETED HOWEVER VEHICLE CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE CONTINUED FAILURE/LOSS OF CONTROL. MJS (97V-169)
NHTSA complaint #527272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Milford, PA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASE, ALL OIL WAS GONE FROM CAR. DEALER FIRST REPLACED THE OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT, KEPT LEAKING, THEN REPLACED THE VALVE COVER GASKET, KEPT LEAKING, THEN REPLACED THE CAM SEALS. DEALER ASSURED ME THAT IT WAS NOT THE HEAD GASKET. STILL LEAKING OIL. TOOK IT TO PERSONAL MECHANIC AND IT IS THE HEAD GASKET LEAKING. DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REFUND PURCHASE PRICE OR REPLACE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN OVER A 2 MONTH PERIOD. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS VERY NOISY BRAKES, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HAS SAT FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME (OVERNIGHT). THE CAR HAS A SHAKING AND RATTLING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, ESPECIALLY AT SLOW SPEEDS. THE DASH BOARD REFLECTS ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN IT IS SUNNY AND THE GLARE MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE AT TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #710183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norwalk, CT1 injured
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT, WHEN CORRECTED, THE STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO TURN SHARPLY TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDE HEAD ON INTO A BARRIER CAUSING INJURIES TO DRIVER. NLM
NHTSA complaint #547393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Staten Island, NYCrashFire3 injured4 killed
STEERING
DRIVER MADE RIGHT TURN , STEERING LOCKED UP ,LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND CRASHED ONTO A CURB WHEN THE GAS TANK RUPTURED, CAUSING 4 DEATHS AND TWO WERE SEVERELY BURNED AND 1 HAD MINOR BURNS. ALL WERE OCCUPANTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THREE IN FRONT AND FOUR IN THE BACK. GAS TANK HAD NO ROTECTIVE SHIELD.
NHTSA complaint #842997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Staten Island, NYCrashFire4 injured3 killed
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #709000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Cumberland, WV
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
I HAVE COMPLAINED OF A POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WITHIN 18 MONTHS OF PURCHASE. THE DEALERS COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE POPPING NOISE. NOW WITH 60,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE RACK IS WHAT ALWAYS MADE THE POPPING NOISE DUE TO BAD SEALS IN IT. CHRYSLER CORPORATION OFFERED TO PAY 50%, BUT I FEEL THEY SHOULD PAY 100% DUE TO THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN EXISTING PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #709035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laurel, MD
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
1. CAR LEAKING OIL AT HEAD GASKET AND OTHER SEALS, POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. OTHER '95 NEON OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHEN THE CAR REACHES 60K MILES 2. LEFT TURN SIGNAL STICKING IN ON POSITION, 3. GLUE MELTED FROM AROUND FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS, AFRAID THAT WINDSHIELD OR REAR GLASS MAY "POP" OUT, 4. CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT, AND EVEN THOUGH NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CAR STILL STEERS TO EITHER A LEFT OR RIGHT DIRECTION, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT LINE UP WITH THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. MISALIGNED STEERING WHEEL BECOME TIRING ON LONG TRIPS.
NHTSA complaint #705225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blue Hill, MEFire
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN CAUSED A FIRE IN WITHIN THAT AREA PRIOR TO THIS RECALL. STEERING COLUMN WAS FIXED. PLEASE ADD MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #829496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Caldwell, NJ
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
DIFFICULTY HAVING STEERING COUPLER REPAIRED UNDER RECALL DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #543836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL IS NOISY.
NHTSA complaint #604564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverside, CACrash1 injured
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
THE CURRENT OWNER WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO WORK AFTER DROPPING THE BABY OFF AT THE BABY SITTERS. SHE HAD JUST GOTTEN ON THE FREEWAY AND WAS ACCELERATING TO CRUSING SPEED WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND SHE COULD NOT STEER THE CAR. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND RAN OVER THE CURBING ALONG THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS THE SECOND TIME THE STEERING HAS LOCKED UP SINCE SHE PURCHASED THE CAR. WHEN SHE HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT, THEY COULD NOT SEE FIGURE OUT WHAT CAUSED THE WHEEL TO LOCK UP. SHE THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE UNTIL IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS TIME. THE MANUFACTURER HAS ALREADY LOOKED AT THE CAR AN DENIED ANY LIABILITY. THIS IS AN 18 YEAR OLD SINGLE PARENT WITH NO MONEY AND NO TRANSPORTATION TO WORK, NOW. SHE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP SHE CAN GET, ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ALREADY REPORTED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. MY NAME IS LARRY E. JOHNSON. I'M HER GOD FATHER. SHE HAS NO ONE ELSE TO TURN TO. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #702152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Trumbull, CT
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING COLUMN COUPLER FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL, RECALL NOTICE SENT AFTER INCIDENT. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).
NHTSA complaint #536592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.