Owners filed 167 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine. It has been recalled 1 time.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
54
0
0
1
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
14
0
0
0
Air Bags › Frontal
13
10
0
8
Engine and Engine Cooling
7
0
1
0
Suspension › Front
5
1
0
0
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
4
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
4
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
4
0
0
3
Structure › Body › Trunk Lid
4
0
0
2
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
4
1
0
0
1 safety recall
Part 573 reports
Structure › Body99V001000
Filed Jan 7, 19993,683 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MAY BE MISSING SPOT WELDS.
Risk. 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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Oct 22, 201374,000 milesMD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PLYMOUTH NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED AND WOULD NOT DISPLAY THE SPEED BEING TRAVELED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE SPEEDOMETER CIRCUIT BOARD RESISTOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 11/15/13*CN
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 3, 201136,000 milesIN
CAR HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT AND OIL STARTED RUNNING OUT UNDERNEATH THE CAR. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND CHRYSLER HAS YET TO CORRECT IT. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I HAVE FOUND THAT I WILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM AGAIN SINCE IT IS A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. I WAS TOLD FROM MECHANIC THAT SEVERAL OTHER CARS THE HEADS ARE ALSO AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Suspension › Rear
Filed Nov 15, 2010NY
THE STRUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR RATTLES. IT RUBS WHEN I MAKE RIGHT TURNS. I HAVE ONLY CHANGED THE STRUTS IN THE REAR AND A WHEEL BEARING ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR AND IT IS STILL DOING IT. *TR
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 20, 2009IL
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING CONTROL RE DEFECTIVE NEW CHRYSLER VEHICLE FWD TO POTUS RE HOW CORPORATIONS ARE ALLOWED TO OPERATE IN THE USA. *NJ WITHIN A WEEK OF THE CONSUMERS MOTHER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMERS MOTHER THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT WAS JUST THE WAY THE VEHICLE SOUNDED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS 54,000 MILES AND WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE, THE VEHICLES ENGINE ROD IS ABOUT TO FAIL. THE PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR WAS THAT THE OIL PRESSURE SENDER MOUNTED ON THE REAR OF THE MOTOR LEAKED. THE LEAK WAS NORMALLY SMALL AND ONLY LEAKED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. HOWEVER, OVER TIME, THE LEAKING CAUSED EXCESSIVE HEAT TO THE MOTOR WHICH CAUSED WEAR AND TEAR ON THE HEAD GASKETS, PISTONS AND RODS. *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 20, 2009IL
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING CONTROL RE DEFECTIVE NEW CHRYSLER VEHICLE FWD TO POTUS RE HOW CORPORATIONS ARE ALLOWED TO OPERATE IN THE USA. *NJ WITHIN A WEEK OF THE CONSUMERS MOTHER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMERS MOTHER THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT WAS JUST THE WAY THE VEHICLE SOUNDED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS 54,000 MILES AND WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE, THE VEHICLES ENGINE ROD IS ABOUT TO FAIL. THE PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR WAS THAT THE OIL PRESSURE SENDER MOUNTED ON THE REAR OF THE MOTOR LEAKED. THE LEAK WAS NORMALLY SMALL AND ONLY LEAKED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. HOWEVER, OVER TIME, THE LEAKING CAUSED EXCESSIVE HEAT TO THE MOTOR WHICH CAUSED WEAR AND TEAR ON THE HEAD GASKETS, PISTONS AND RODS. *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 15, 2009DE
REPORTS ON DEFECTIVE PARTS MADE BY CHRYSLER WITH REGARD TO 1998 PLYMOUTH NEON ENGINE OVERHEATING AS A RESULT OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR FAN RELAY, COOLANT RESERVOIR AND/OR THE COOLANT CAP. *NJ
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 23, 2008103,000 milesMI
BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *TR
Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 10, 200690,000 milesNM
A 1990 CHEVY IMPALA TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF MY SON WHILE HE WAS DRIVING MY CAR, HE WAS GOING 30 MPH HE HIT THE OTHER CAR IN THE B PILLAR, BOTH SIDE DOORS WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR. NEITHER AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED ON MY CAR. THE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN DUE TO THE FENDER BEING JAMMED BACK INTO THE DOOR. THE BUMPER IS DANGLING ABOUT 4-5 INCHES FROM WHERE IT SHOULD BE. THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER INJURED THEIR KNEES ON THE DASH WHEN THEY SLID FORWARD FROM THE IMPACT. THE SEAT BELTS HELD. *NM
Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jan 8, 2006IL
I HAVE A 1998 PLYMOUTH NEON. I AM ANGRY WITH THE WAY THESE CARS WERE BUILT FROM CHRYSLER. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT MY HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO GET FOGGIER AND FOGGIER. I TAKE NORMAL CARE OF MY CAR TO INCLUDE KEEPING IT CLEAN AND MECHANICALLY SOUND. I HAVE A REAL SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE LIGHTS BECOMING SO CLOUDY. IT IS ALMOST AS THOUGH I HAVE DIM LIGHTS DUE TO THIS CLOUDING OF THE HEADLIGHT LENSES. I INSIST THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE INSTATED IN ORDER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR EACH AND EVERY NEON FROM 1998 FOR SURE. THIS IS A PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING AND EITHER THE FOG LIGHTS HAVE TO BE ON OR YOUR BRIGHTS JUST TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T HIT ANYTHING OR ANYONE. WHY SHOULD WE HAVE TO REPLACE SOMETHING WITH OUR OWN MONEY WHEN IT WAS A QUITE OBVIOUS PROBLEM ON CHRYSLER'S END? PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO. *NM
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jun 14, 2005114,000 milesIN
CAR CONTINOUSLY OVERHEATS. HAVE REPLACE THE RADIATOR CAP AND THE THERMOSTAT.
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Mar 31, 200570,150 milesWV
HEAD GASKET FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 32,000 MILES. HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED AT A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND THE NEW HEAD GASKET FAILED AGAIN WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON THE GASKET. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NEONS AND CHRYSLER HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL.
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 24, 200537,500 miles00
HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT 37500 MILES ( 2001) HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT (83125 MILES) RESULTING IN OIL CONTAMINATION/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM/SPARK PLUG FOULING. REAR OIL SEAL FAILURE ( STARTED AT 55125 MILES)- $ 2000 REPAIR BILL TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET AND REAR OIL SEAL AT 83125 MILES.
Air Bags › Side/Window
Filed Dec 8, 200465,000 milesTX
PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG CRACKED. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. CONSUMER STATED THAT IF THE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED SHE WAS AFRAID IT WILL HARM HER DAUGHTER.*AK THE HEAT FROM THE SUN WARPED THE DASH BOARD. *TC
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 18, 200454,100 milesNE
HEAD GASKET LEAK, KNOWN PROBLEM BY DIAMLER THATS WHY THE MLS GASKET AND TORQUE SPECS WERE INTRODUCED. NO FIRE, YET. CAR ONLY HAS 54,000 MILES WHEN LEAK STARTED.*AK
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Nov 10, 200475,600 milesNJ
ON MY 1998 PLYMOUTH NEON THE FUEL FILLER TUBE RUSTED AWAY (I WAS ABLE TO SEE DAYLIGHT WHEN FILLING UP WITH GAS). THE RUST/ROAD DEBRIS/WATER WENT INTO THE FUEL TANK AND WAS NOT PREVENTED FROM GOING INTO THE FUEL RAIL & INJECTORS CAUSING THE CAR TO CONSTANTLY STUMBLE AND DISPLAY THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LITE.
Structure › Body
Filed Aug 3, 2004MA
I HAVE A 1998 PLYMOUTH NEON. THE ROOF OF MY CAR BEGAN PEELING OVER A YEAR AGO, AND HAS RAPIDLY SPREAD AND NOW HAS RUST DEVELOPING. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER NEONS IN MY AREA WITH SIMILAR PEELING PROBLEMS. I HAVE CONTACTED CRYSLER AND THE REFUSE TO HELP SINCE THE WARRANTY ON THE PAINT IS 3 YEARS/36,000 MILES. I THINK THAT IS RIDICULOUS. PAINT ON A CAR SHOULD LAST MUCH, MUCH LONGER THAN 3 YEARS.*AK
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights1 injured
Filed Jul 23, 2004NJ
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS BURNED OUT CONTINUOUSLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED THEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine1 injured
Filed Jul 20, 200442,000 milesIL
TOOK MY 98 NEON WITH 42,000 MILES INTO LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL LEAK. THEY SAID THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR A TOTAL OF $1050. IT IS MY OPINION THAT: - THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE IS NOT DUE TO MY OWN NEGLIGENCE, BUT AN INHERENT DESIGN FLAW. - THE INFERIOR HEAD GASKETS SHIPPED IN THESE CARS POSE A SLIGHT SAFETY RISK TO CONSUMERS BECAUSE IT DIRECTLY LEADS TO OIL LEAKAGE. - A LARGE PERCENTAGE, IF NOT ALL FIRST GENERATION NEONS, ARE AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM. *LA
Fuel System, Diesel › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed May 27, 2004CA
FUEL TANK REPLACED THEN CAR DOES NOT START IN THE MORNING AND END OF DAY. CHRYSLER AND DEALER HAVE WASHED THEIR HANDS OF IT. *MR
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 3, 200434,840 milesDC
UPON HAVING AN OIL CHANGE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL.*AK
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: Jan 7, 1999. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.