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1998 Plymouth Neon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Plymouth Neon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 151.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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: 22 of 167 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 91 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports4 fire reports15 injury reports

What owners actually said

167 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

OVERHEATING AND EXCESSIVE LOSS OF OIL AND COOLANT. TAKEN VEHICLE TO A DEALER SHOP, AND INFORMED OF A HEAD GASKET FAILURE WHICH WAS NOT COVER UNDER A RECALL. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #884730

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE WAS LEAKING A LOT OF OIL. TOOK TO DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED HEAD GASKETON NOVEMBER 10, 2000. IT HAS TO BE CHANGED AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #884687

Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION GEARS ARE STICKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY WANT TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #884593

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2001
Structure

TRUNK LID WILL NOT REMAIN OPEN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #884221

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE NEON WAS MISFIREING, REPLACED PLUGS TWO DIFFERENT TIMES WITHIN 2 MONTHS, GAS MILLAGE ROTTEN TOOK TO DEALER, THEY REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR, STILL HAVING TROUBLE, THE CAR WAS IN 3 TIMES FOR THAT PROBLEM. FOR THE PAST 1 1/2 MONTHS THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOOSING OIL, LEAVING PUDDLES ALL OVER, HAVE PUT IN 6 QTS. OF OIL ON MY OWN…

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THE NEON WAS MISFIREING, REPLACED PLUGS TWO DIFFERENT TIMES WITHIN 2 MONTHS, GAS MILLAGE ROTTEN TOOK TO DEALER, THEY REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR, STILL HAVING TROUBLE, THE CAR WAS IN 3 TIMES FOR THAT PROBLEM. FOR THE PAST 1 1/2 MONTHS THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOOSING OIL, LEAVING PUDDLES ALL OVER, HAVE PUT IN 6 QTS. OF OIL ON MY OWN IN THE PAST 1 1/2 MONTHS, PLUS HAD A COMPLETE OIL CHANGE. FOUND OUT THE HEAD GASKET IS BAD, CHRYSLER SAYS THEY HAVE NOT HURD OF ANY OTHER NEONS WITH THIS TROUBLE. TORMOHLENS (DEALER) ALSO SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN NO OTHER NEONS WITH THIS TROUBLE. CONTACTED OTHER REPAIR SHOPS, WAS TOLD THIS IS A REACCURING PROBLEM WITH THE NEONS. DEALER OFFERED TO DO IT IF CHRYSLER PAY PART, AND THEN I HAVE TO PAY $200.00 DEDUCTABLE. IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NEONS THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY COST. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED IF THERE ARE THAT MANY NEONS WITH THIS PROBLEM. WILL NOT FIX AT THIS TIME, NOT PAYING FOR. ATTORNEY CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #743004

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2001
Electrical System

JUNK!!! THE COMPUTER SYSTEM HAS NOW FAILED ON MY CAR. I HAVE ALREADY HAD 2 MAJOR TRANSMISSION REPAIRS ON THIS VECHILE. AN OIL LEAK WHICH CAUSED REPLACEMENT OF THE HEAD GASKETS DUE TO THE FACT THEY WERE FAULTY ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND I WO…

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JUNK!!! THE COMPUTER SYSTEM HAS NOW FAILED ON MY CAR. I HAVE ALREADY HAD 2 MAJOR TRANSMISSION REPAIRS ON THIS VECHILE. AN OIL LEAK WHICH CAUSED REPLACEMENT OF THE HEAD GASKETS DUE TO THE FACT THEY WERE FAULTY ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND I WOULD NOT RECOMMED ANYONE TO PURCHASE A NEON. I REPORTED THE COMPUTER FAILURE TO CHRYSLER AND THEY "NOTED" IT IN A FILE. I FEEL AS IF THEY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. COMPUTER SYSTEMS ON A CAR ARE NOT MEANT TO JUST QUIT AT 75,000 MILES. THIS REPAIR IS GOING TO COST ME OVER $1000.00 TO FIX AND I DON'T FEEL AS IF I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. APPARENTLY THIS IS A DEFECT OF SOME SORT AND THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. MY CAR IS STILL DRIVEABLE ON DAYS--BUT WHEN I MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND MY CAR CUTS OFF I'M NOT ONLY ENDANGERING MYSELF BUT OTHERS BEHIND ME. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND COULD SERIOUSLY INJURE PEOPLE. I FEEL CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE TAKEN MORE TIME WITH ME AND HEARD MY PROBLEM AND HELP ME RESOLVE THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE SOMEONE, REAL SOON, WILL BE HURT DRIVING THIS DEATH TRAP OF A CAR THAT I HAVE PURCHASED. OH, BY THE WAY, THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, SO, I HAVE TO DRIVE IT, FAULTY & FAILING COMPUTER SYSTEM AND ALL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #742417

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

POWER STEERING WOULD LOCK UP INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING OVER A WATER PUDDLE. ALSO, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH OIL LEAKAGES DUE TO A HEAD GASKET FAILURE. WHEN APPYING BRAKES PEDAL WOULD GO TO FLOOR, AND CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NONE OF THE PROBLEMS WERE COVERED…

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POWER STEERING WOULD LOCK UP INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING OVER A WATER PUDDLE. ALSO, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH OIL LEAKAGES DUE TO A HEAD GASKET FAILURE. WHEN APPYING BRAKES PEDAL WOULD GO TO FLOOR, AND CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NONE OF THE PROBLEMS WERE COVERED UNDER A RECALL, AND VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #881184

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

LAST SUMMER THE HEAD GASKET ON OUR CAR FAILED JUST BEFORE THE WARRANTY WAS OUT. WE WERE ADVISED AT THAT TIME THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO CHRYSLER AND THAT THEY WOULD BE INSTALLING A REDESIGNED GASKET. "SHOULDN'T EVER HAVE THIS PROBLEM AGAIN." IN DECEMBER 2000 I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE CAR OVER-HEATED. THE HEAD GASKE…

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LAST SUMMER THE HEAD GASKET ON OUR CAR FAILED JUST BEFORE THE WARRANTY WAS OUT. WE WERE ADVISED AT THAT TIME THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO CHRYSLER AND THAT THEY WOULD BE INSTALLING A REDESIGNED GASKET. "SHOULDN'T EVER HAVE THIS PROBLEM AGAIN." IN DECEMBER 2000 I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE CAR OVER-HEATED. THE HEAD GASKET HAD ONCE AGAIN BLOWN ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO ADMIT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND "GENEROUSLY" OFFERED TO SPLIT THE BILL WITH US 50/50. WE PAID A $1,200 BILL TO HAVE IT FIXED SIX MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT. HERE IT IS 8 WEEKS LATER AND WE HAVE BLOWN THE HEAD GASKET FOR A THIRD TIME. I'M MEETING WITH THEM TOMORROW AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I'M SURE I'LL HAVE TO FIGHT WITH THEM AGAIN. GIVEN FROM THE INFORMATION I'VE FOUND ON THE INTERNET THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THEM. I FEEL THAT IN ADDITION TO FIXING MY CAR AT NO CHARGE THIS TIME THEY NEED TO REFUND MY PAYMENT FROM DECEMBER. HOW DO WE PROCEED WITH THIS?

NHTSA ODI #741091

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2001
Seat Belts

PLASTIC SEAT BELT RETAINER SLIDES UP & DOWN AND FAILS TO HOLD BELT. PIECE IS COMING THROUGH SEAT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #880506

24,400 miles · Feb 8, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

PURCHASED CAR 5/2000 WITH 10,000 MILES. OIL LEAK ON GARAGE FLOOR, TOOK TO MECHANIC WHO SAID CAR HAD BLOWN HEAD GASKET & THESE CARS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALER CONTACTED, WHO REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT IS ONLY 1 MONTH PAST THE 3 YR DATE & WELL UNDER THE 36,000 MILES. THINK MFG. SHOULD BE HELD AC…

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PURCHASED CAR 5/2000 WITH 10,000 MILES. OIL LEAK ON GARAGE FLOOR, TOOK TO MECHANIC WHO SAID CAR HAD BLOWN HEAD GASKET & THESE CARS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALER CONTACTED, WHO REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT IS ONLY 1 MONTH PAST THE 3 YR DATE & WELL UNDER THE 36,000 MILES. THINK MFG. SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR QUALITY ISSUE. FOUND SEVERAL REPORTS OF SAME PROBLEM ON YOUR WEBSITE. NEED HELP. SINGLE PARENT & NO MONEY TO REPAIR AT MY EXPENSE. MR **** DIMS II IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/2002 CUT-OVER ARTEMIS****740626

NHTSA ODI #10006362

Official recalls

1

99V001000 · Structure:body

Jan 7, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MAY BE MISSING SPOT WELDS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN STRUCTURAL CRACKS IN THE BODY, AND REDUCED CRASH PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MISSING WELDS, AND WILL HAVE STRUCTURAL RIVETS INSTALLED IN PLACE OF THE MISSING WELDS.

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

1

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.