Owners filed 308 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine. It has been recalled 2 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
103
0
1
2
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
34
0
1
0
Air Bags › Frontal
18
15
1
11
Unknown or Other
14
1
0
0
Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood
12
0
1
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
7
0
0
2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
7
3
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling
7
0
1
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
6
0
0
0
Electrical System
5
0
0
0
2 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder96V075000
Filed May 3, 1996151,800 vehiclesChrysler Corporation
Defect. 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.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.
Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood96V026000
Filed Feb 5, 199615,000 vehiclesChrysler Corporation
Defect. AN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS CAN SHORT CIRCUIT DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION TUBE..
Risk. 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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Feb 22, 2022CA
Dbr2 not working or obd 2 not working when plug in obd reader no sign of workingness on vehicle
Electrical System
Filed Dec 31, 2021CA
I was driving when the instrument cluster gauges started moving up and down like if the instrument cluster was making false contact with the connector to get a calibrated read on the speed, gasoline, temperature gauges
Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Aug 1, 2007400,000 milesMI
THE CAR WAS RUN FOR 45MINS AT 10MPH FOLLOWING A TRACTOR. THE LAST 2 MILES WERE AT 55MPH. A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS HOME AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. ALL WIRING AND PLASTIC COMPONENTS ARE A COMPLETE LOSS, HOOD IS DAMAGED, AND ALL LIGHT UNITS ARE RUINED. *TR
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jan 20, 200798,400 milesIA
ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CEASES TO FUNCTION. SPEEDOMETER GOES TO ZERO, TACHOMETER GOES TO ZERO, GAS GAUGE STOPS, TEMP GAUGE GOES TO COLD. THIS HAPPENS USUALLY WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH., OR WHATEVER THE LEGAL LIMIT FOR A GIVEN AREA IS. A BIT DISCONCERTING AT TIMES. AFTER A TIME PERIOD, THINGS START TO WORK AGAIN, AND THEN THEY QUIT AGAIN. WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE NEW. *JB
Seat BeltsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 23, 2006116,000 milesOH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. AS A RESULT OF THE SEAT BELT FAILURE INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT BELT WAS OBSERVED TO BE WRAPPED AROUND THE CONTACT'S LEGS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 7/13/2006 - THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS CHEST, NECK AND LEFT LEG. *NM
Tires
Filed Apr 14, 2006102,850 milesMO
ON 01/03/06, I PURCHASED 4 NEW DAYTON DAYTONA HR TIRES (SIZE 185/60R14) FROM REEVES TIRE IN JOPLIN, MISSOURI FOR MY 1996 PLYMOUTH NEON. ON 02/01/06, AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES, THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE (APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH). THE CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A BROKEN BEAD, WITH NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE TIRE. ON 04/12/06, IMMEDIATELY AFTER HAVING MY TIRES ROTATED, REBALANCED, AND MY CAR REALIGNED (AGAIN AT REEVES TIRE), MY DRIVERS-SIDE FRONT TIRE DETONATED, AGAIN ON THE INTERSTATE, AGAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. I HAD TRAVELED, AT MOST, 10 MILES AFTER HAVING THE WORK PERFORMED. AFTER I STOPPED MY CAR, I INSPECTED THE TIRE AND FOUND THAT APPROXIMATELY 6-8 INCHES OF THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY GONE. THERE WERE NO CORDS OR FIBERS HANGING FROM THE TIRE. IT WAS ALMOST AS IF THE SIDE WALL HAD BEEN CUT FROM THE TIRE. THE BEAD WAS STILL INTACT, BUT THERE WAS NO RUBBER ANYWHERE ON IT. IT WAS JUST BARE STEEL CORDS. THIS WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES AFTER THE ORIGINAL INSTALLATION. AGAIN, THERE WAS NO OTHER INDICATION OF DAMAGE. I AM A FACTORY-TRAINED MOTORCYCLE TECHNICIAN, AND I AM VERY CONSCIENTIOUS ABOUT MAINTAINING MY VEHICLES. I TYPICALLY INSPECT THE CONDITION AND TIRE PRESSURE OF MY CAR TIRES ONCE A WEEK, AND HAVE NEVER ABUSED THEM OR HIT ANY ROAD-DEBRIS, POTHOLES, ETC. THE FORCE OF THE TIRE EXPLOSION PUSHED THE REAR OF THE FRONT FENDER INTO THE FRONT EDGE OF THE DOOR AND MODERATELY DENTED THE FENDER. I ALMOST LOS
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed Jan 3, 200662,000 milesNY
CONSUMER 1996 PLYMOUTH NEON PCM HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED CAUSING COMER VEHICLE TO FAIL EMISSIONS. *TS THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FAILED STATE EMISSION INSPECTION BECAUSE THE VEHICLE'S READINESS CODES WERE CLEARED EACH TIME THE KEY WAS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION. THE CONSUMER FOUND A TSB WHICH STATED THAT THE PCM MUST BE REPROGRAMMED TO REMEDY THE CONDITION. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET THE LOCAL DEALER TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE ELSEWHERE WHERE THE PCM WAS REPROGRAMMED AT NO CHARGE. *NM
Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Jun 17, 2005DE
ON EVERY PLYMOUTH NEON IN THE COLOR OF BLUE, THE PAINT IS CHIPPING FROM THE HOOD TO THE TRUNK. ALSO, WHEN IT RAINS, THE INSIDE OF THE CAR ON THE FLOORS AND IN THE TRUNK GETS WET AND IN ORDER TO GET THE WATER OUT, IT HAS TO BE VACUUMED. I BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. AFTER HAVING TO INVEST A LOT OF MONEY IN SOMETHING THAT YOU EXPECT TO HAVE FOR MANY YEARS, THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING UNLESS IT IS CAUSED BY YOU.
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed May 23, 2005CA
CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS GETTING HER 1996 PLYMOUTH NEON REGISTERED BECAUSE IT ALLEGEDLY FAILED TO PASS A SMOG CHECK.*MR IN SEPTEMBER 200 THE VEHICLE PASSED THE TEST. IN SEPTEMBER 2003 THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER ADVISING HER THAT HER MAKE/MODEL HAD BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE OBD SELF TEST. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING THE SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL THEREFORE SHE DIDN'T TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. IN SEPTEMBER 2004 WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO REGISTER THE VEHICLE AND OBTAIN A NEW SMOG CERTIFICATE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT HER VEHICLE FAILED THE MIL/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DUE TO FAILURE TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE ALL OBD SELF TEST. UPON REVIEWING THE VIN THE DMV CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SALVAGED THEREFORE IT DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 4, 2005IL
VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHEN ON THE ROAD. OCCASIONALLY, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DID NOT OPERATE, WHICH DID NOT INFORM OTHER DRIVERS WHEN MAKING TURNS. CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT OPERATE, AS WELL PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM INCREASING OR DECREASING SPEED.*AK
Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 15, 2005WA
PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE ROOF AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 28, 200445,000 milesVA
OIL LEAKS, DASHBOARD FAILURE, NOISE IN BRAKES, WIND NOISE IN PASSENGERS DOOR. HAVE REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKET TWICE, REPLACED OIL SENDIND UNIT,CAM SENSOR WAS REPLACED NOW I HAVE A BIG OIL LEAK, CAR ONLY HAS 45000 MILES ON IT. *AK
Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 23, 200483,000 milesCA
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *JB
Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 30, 2004NY
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY PAINT ON MY 1996 PLYMOUTH NEON PEELING OFF. ITS NOT LIKE IT ON THE ROOF OR HOOD ITS ALL OVER THE CAR THE TRUNK, THE DOORS, THE HOOD AND THE ROOF ARE ALL PEELING. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM EITHER.*JB
Structure
Filed Sep 29, 200426,800 milesPA
WHILE DRIVING, DOESN'T MATTER WHAT TYPE OF SURFACE ALL THE GAUGES ON MY 1996 NEON FAILED. SOMETIMES IF YOU TAP THE DASHBOARD GLASS THAT COVERS THE GAUGES THEY COME BACK ON OR IF YOU HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THEY COME BACK ON, BUT THIS ISN'T ALWAYS THE CASE. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 4-6 TIMES OVER A SIX MONTH PERIOD STARTING IN MAY, 2004. *AK
Air Bags › FrontalFire1 injured
Filed Sep 10, 2004103,000 milesNJ
WHEN TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT DUAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. AS A RESULT, WHEN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THEY CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVER SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE CHEST. *AK *TC
Structure
Filed Aug 16, 2004VA
1. EVERY TIME IT RAINS OUTSIDE I HAVE A LAKE ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR, MAINLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN THE BACK AND IN THE TRUNK WHICH IS MOLDING THE CARPET AND ITEMS KEPT INSIDE. 2. THE BACK UP LIGHT ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY, DUE TO THE MOISTURE. 3. THE TURN SIGNAL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BLINKS REALLY FAST, AND STAYS ON ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. 4. THE TURN SIGNAL ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAS TO BE MANUALLY TURNED OFF AFTER TURNING LEFT. 5. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED ON A STEEP TURN RESULTING ME GOING OFF ROAD, LUCKILY NOT HITTING ANYONE. 6. HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY POOR AT NIGHT. 7. RADIO RECEPTION IS GETTING WORSE. STATIONS THAT USED TO COME IN WON'T ANYMORE. 8. CAR SHAKES AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND AT A LIGHT. 9. THERE IS GLARE ON THE WINDSHEILD FROM DASH THAT CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY IN THE DAY TIME.*AK
Visibility › Windshield
Filed May 22, 2004WA
PAINT IS PEELING OFF MY 1996 PLYMOUTH NEON. IS THIS A PROBLEM BECAUSE THE WINDSHIELD IS GLUED TO THE PEELING PAINT? THE DEALER SAYS CHRYSLER WILL NOT REPAINT IT. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 11, 200473,238 milesMO
HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON A 1996 PLYMOUTH NEON SPORT SOHC 2.0. HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT $500.00 REPAIR BILL THROUGH MECHANIC ALONG WITH $200.00 IN PARTS
Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood
Filed Apr 1, 200470,000 milesPA
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 96V026000 CONCERNING THE WIRING HARNESS FAILURE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, BUT CHRYSLER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THIS RECALL DID NOT EXIST. *AK THE DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM BUT STATED THAT THE WIRING IN THE HORN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ELECTRICAL SHORT AND THE ENGINE MISFIRING CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND SPUTTER AFTER A SHORT DRIVE. *SC *JB
Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: May 3, 1996. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.