IllustrationENGINE GASKETS FAILED SHORTLY AFTER WARRENTY ENDED.
1996 Plymouth Neon
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Neon years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Plymouth Neon are substantially higher than the model-year median of 151.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Neon years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 19 of 308 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 167 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
32 crash reports11 fire reports24 injury reports
What owners actually said
308 reportsAIR/WATER LEAKS THROUGH THE DOOR.
HEAD GASKET LEAKS OIL.
I WANT TO GET RID OF THIS CAR, I CALLED THE DEALER, HE SAID HE HAD A LOT FULL OF NEONS, I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT THE CAR WAS ALMOST NEW BECAUSE SO MANY PARTS HAVEN BEEN REPLACED ON IT, IT ALSO TOLD HIM THAT MY CAR SPENT MORE TIME IN THEIR GARAGE THEN MINE. HE SUGGESTED THAT I SELL THE CAR OUT RIGHT. I DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS, I …
Read full complaint
I WANT TO GET RID OF THIS CAR, I CALLED THE DEALER, HE SAID HE HAD A LOT FULL OF NEONS, I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT THE CAR WAS ALMOST NEW BECAUSE SO MANY PARTS HAVEN BEEN REPLACED ON IT, IT ALSO TOLD HIM THAT MY CAR SPENT MORE TIME IN THEIR GARAGE THEN MINE. HE SUGGESTED THAT I SELL THE CAR OUT RIGHT. I DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS, I HAVE CALLED CHRYSLER TWICE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE BRAKE PROBLEM, MISSED 4 DAYS OF WORK BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE PROBLEM, SPENT 35.00 ON A RENTAL CAR BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE PROBLEM. I FEEL I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO LOOSE MONEY BECAUSE I NOLONGER WISH TO OWN THIS CAR. THANKS FOR LISTENING
TRANSMISSION/TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED FOUR TIMES.
NOISY EXHAUST SYSTEM. ALSO REAR BRAKE CYLINDER CHIRPS.
THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY STALLS OUT. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE JUST CUTS OFF. MOST OF THE TIME IT WILL RESTART, BUT OFTEN IT WILL HAVE TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER.
STARTED APPLYING ABS BRAKES AT 30MPH, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP & REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. VEHICLE BEING REPAIRED AT MECHANIC'S. *AK
ON DIRT ROAD DOING 20-25MPH, WHEN DUAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. SLAMMED BRAKES. DAMAGED UNDERNEATH. DRIVER LOST SOME HEARING. PASSENGER HAD BRUISES ON LEG. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-35 MPH OWNER STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT, AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN INDENTIFIED BY CHRYSLER INVESTIGATOR. *AK
Official recalls
296V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
May 3, 1996
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.
96V026000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood
Feb 5, 1996
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
2PE02082 · 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