Dodge Neon Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 489 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Dodge Neon across 11 model years. The 1995 model year has the most (208). The words owners use most often: “brakes failed” (9% of reports).
- 489service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 77mention a crash
- 38mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- 23%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Brakes failed: mentioned in 43 of 489 complaints (9%)
- Brake pads: mentioned in 31 of 489 complaints (6%)
- Head gasket: mentioned in 31 of 489 complaints (6%)
- Stopping distance: mentioned in 28 of 489 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 64 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 489 complaints, 77 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 38 an injury.
Dodge Neon service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Model years: 2000, 2001
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. In the presence of oil and heat, the brake booster vacuum hose could swell and loosen from the intake manifold.
Risk: This could cause a loss of power brake assist and an increase in engine idle speed.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum hose. Owner notification began july 2, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 1995
Problem: 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
Model years: 1995, 1996
Problem: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 1995
Problem: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Model years: 1995
Problem: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 dodge neon. The contact stated that while attempting to stop the vehicle, the anti-lock braking system failed and caused her to crash into the rear of another vehicle. The seat belts did not properly restrain and the air bags did not deploy. The contact and a passenger…
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge neon. The contact stated that all braking function was lost while driving at an unknown speed. She stated that in order to stop the vehicle she had to engage the emergency brake. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop who diagnosed that the rotors, brake…
New brakes installed from dealer prior to purchase of this used car in may of 2008. In sept 2008, (about 5k miles later) unable to stop vehicle at 45 mph - hit guardrail causing neck injury and property damage. Was determined by bodyshop that brakes failed due to leaking rear compressor, which…
The following is, what i consider a life threatening problem with the 2003, 2004 & 2005 dodge neon srt-4 model cars and possibly other models that have unsecured vacuum lines in the brake system. I have two first-hand occurrences of this problem. The first occurrence did not result in an incident…
My 16 year old daughter was driving her 2004 dodge neon on the 101 freeway near santa barbara, ca in bumper to bumper traffic. Suddenly and with no warning the brake peddle went to the floor and she had no brakes. At the same time the brake warning light went on. Because she was traveling slow she…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge Neons have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 489 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Dodge Neon. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Dodge Neon service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Dodge Neon?
The most frequent phrase is “brakes failed”, in 43 of 489 complaints, followed by “brake pads” (31).
Other Dodge Neon problems
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (1,259)
- Electrical System problems (449)
- Air Bags problems (411)
- Power Train problems (332)
- Steering problems (243)
- Structure problems (190)
- Exterior Lighting problems (164)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (149)
See all Dodge Neon problems.