Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 38 of 611 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 340 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
46 crash reports5 fire reports27 injury reports
What owners actually said
611 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL AND I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT REPAIRED. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY QUOTED ME $700.00. I THEN FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE AND WHEN I CALLED AGAIN THEY SAID THE PLYMOUTH IS MEETING CUSTOM…
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I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL AND I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT REPAIRED. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY QUOTED ME $700.00. I THEN FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE AND WHEN I CALLED AGAIN THEY SAID THE PLYMOUTH IS MEETING CUSTOMERS HALFWAY AND THEY WOULD PAY FOR HALF. BY READING ALL OF THESE OTHER COMPLAINTS, THERE IS A MAJOR DEFECT WITH THE HEAD GASKETS ONTHE NEONS AND I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING.. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL...................*AK
NHTSA ODI #723718
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES DO NOT CATCH WHEN NEEDED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE LOSES POWER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #862970
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR STALLS OUT SPONTANEOUSLY AS IT IS BEING DRIVEN. SPEED IS NOT AN ISSUE. TIME OF DAY IS NOT AN ISSUE. MOISTURE IS NOT AN ISSUE. DODGE DEALERSHIPS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PINPOINT PROBLEM. CONCERNED TO BE DRIVING ON FAST ROADWAY AND HAVE ENGINE FAIL . *AK
NHTSA ODI #723356
Mileage unknown · May 26, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
APPARENTLY, THE HEAD GASKET SITUATION IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. AT 66K MILES, I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FAN UNIT BECUASE "IT IS WORN OUT." THE MANUFACTURER'S MAINTENANCE BOOK HAS NO MENTION OF SUCH REPLACEMENT AT 66K--I THINK THAT HAD I BEEN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED, THER…
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APPARENTLY, THE HEAD GASKET SITUATION IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. AT 66K MILES, I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FAN UNIT BECUASE "IT IS WORN OUT." THE MANUFACTURER'S MAINTENANCE BOOK HAS NO MENTION OF SUCH REPLACEMENT AT 66K--I THINK THAT HAD I BEEN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN UNNECESSARY INJURIES DUE TO UNEXPECTED "CHEAPLY" MADE PARTS. -- NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY A CHRYSLER/DODGE CAR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #723219
Mileage unknown · May 24, 2000
Exterior Lighting
DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY BROKE FROM INSIDE OF THE HOOD, CAUSING LIGHT TO JUMP AROUND WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. HEAD LIGHT IS SO LOOSE IT WILL FALL OUT AND DEALERSHIP REPRESENATIVE SAID IT IS MY RESPONSIBLILITY TO FIX. 214.00 PLUS LABOR AND TAX. I DO NOT FEEL THAT A HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLE SHOULD CRACK UNLESS THERE HAS BEEN AN…
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DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY BROKE FROM INSIDE OF THE HOOD, CAUSING LIGHT TO JUMP AROUND WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. HEAD LIGHT IS SO LOOSE IT WILL FALL OUT AND DEALERSHIP REPRESENATIVE SAID IT IS MY RESPONSIBLILITY TO FIX. 214.00 PLUS LABOR AND TAX. I DO NOT FEEL THAT A HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLE SHOULD CRACK UNLESS THERE HAS BEEN AN ACCIDENT. IF THE HEADLIGHT DOES SHORT OUT OR FALL OF THIS COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF LIGHTS WHILE TRAVELING ATVERY DANGEROUS. I AM VERY CONCERED SINCE THIS OUR CAR THAT MY DAUGHTER HAS TO DRIVE BACK AND FORTH TO COLLEGE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY A DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT BE CONCERED FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CONSUMERS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #723129
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET FAILURES BEGAN ON THIS VEHICHE AT APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MI AND CONTINUE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722973
Mileage unknown · May 18, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
I'M VERY UPSET THAT THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS IN THE 1995 AND 96 NEON'S YET THEY HAVEN'T BEEN RECALLED. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED AND MAY HAVE TO LET THE CAR GO. PLEASE CONTACT ME REGARDING THIS. 419-946-4295. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722839
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED FROM OUR REPAIR SHOP THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF CHRYSLER VEHICLES, NEON, CIRRUS,AND. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY.
NHTSA ODI #722646
Mileage unknown · May 7, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
DODGE NEON ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE KNOWN TO LEAK - MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR REPAIR OF A KNOWN DEFECT. MY COST WAS $1004. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722362
Mileage unknown · May 5, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWN OUT THREE TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.
AN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS CAN SHORT CIRCUIT DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION TUBE..
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHORTING OF THE WIRING HARNESS CAN CAUSE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS, INCLUDING ENGINE STALLING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROPERLY AND ANY WIRE THAT HAS BEEN DAMAGED WILL BE REPLACED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate
Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.
PE98012 · Underhood Fires
Opened Feb 26, 1998 · Closed Jun 23, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
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