1996 Plymouth NEON problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
188 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
83,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 75 of 188 complaints (39.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 18 | 9.6% |
| Engine operation | 13 | 6.9% |
| Braking behavior | 12 | 6.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 5.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 2.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 75 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 25 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 11 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 9 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 7 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 75; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 25; Unknown Or Other: 12; Air Bags:Frontal: 11; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 9; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling: 7; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 169 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 78 |
| 2001 | 42 |
| 2002 | 26 |
| 2003 | 14 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
1996: 6; 2000: 78; 2001: 42; 2002: 26; 2003: 14; 2004: 11; 2005: 4; 2006: 3; 2007: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 18 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 13 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10044363 · 2003-10-21 (October 21, 2003)
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 134,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044363 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059800 · 2004-04-01 (April 1, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059800 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005990 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
3 HEAD GASKETS FAILURED IN 6 YEARS RESULTING IN ENGINE STALLING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. FAILURES WERE AT 30K, 45K, AND 70K MILES RESPECTIVELY. MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED ON 01/29/02. DEALER IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF FAILURES. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007546 · 2003-02-15 (February 15, 2003)
DRIVING TO WORK AND REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP. TIRE WOULD NOT SPIN. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007546 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100675 · 2004-11-28 (November 28, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100675 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024747 · 2003-06-23 (June 23, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE IS VERY SLOW, NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER STATED THERE IS PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY SO SHE HAD TO PAY, VEHICLE HAS ONLY 64000 MILES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024747 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 542684 · 2000-06-12 (June 12, 2000)
POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO KNOCK/STUMBLE/GEAR LOCK UP, WHILE DRIVING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 542684 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 746689 · 2001-06-11 (June 11, 2001)
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS 1996 PLYMOUTH NEON, IN MARCH 17,1997 THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. STARTING WITH CAMSHAFT SEAL. OIL LEAKAGE AROUND HEAD GASKET MANY TIMES, RADIATOR RECALL, MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRE, BREAK REPAIRS, MASTER CYLINDER SEALS SWOLLEN, RUBBER TRANS RETURN COOLER LINE CRACKED, REBUILT TRANS AND REPLACED SEALS, FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT, REPLACE REAR MAIN SEAL, REPLACE PAN GASKET, REPLACE OXYGEN SENSOR, AND RECENT TRANS FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 746689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 756302 · 2002-01-02 (January 2, 2002)
MY NEON HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY STALLING OUT WHEN SLOWING FOR STOPS, STARTING THE VEHICLE AND INTERMITTENTLY WHEN I AM AT IDLE. THIS BECOMES AN ISSUE WHEN I AM PULLING OFF THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR STALLS, THUS MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR VEHICLES BEHIND ME TO STOP IN TIME. NO CRASHES HAVE INCURRED YET, BUT THEY ARE POSSIBLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN 3 TIMES NOW TO LEBANON CHRYSLER-PLYMOUTH FOR REPAIR. 11-19: FUEL PUMP AND VARIOUS CABLES REPLACED. PROBLEM RETURNED. !2-31: IDLE MEMORY NEEDED TO BE RESET. 1-2-02: THROTTLE BODY AND THERMOSTAT NEED REPL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 756302 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086924 · 2004-08-16 (August 16, 2004)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10086924 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 727754 · 2000-08-13 (August 13, 2000)
FAILURE#1:1/97-6/97 HORN MADE NO NOISE WHEN PUSHED. SEVERAL VISITS TO TWO DEALERS IN FT.WAYNE AND INDIANAPOLIS, IN AND 6 MONTHS LATER IT WAS FINALLY RESOLVED AS BEING A PINCHED WIRE. HAD TO INVOLVE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE IT WAS FIXED PROPERLY. FAILURE#2:1/97-3/97 THE REAR DEFROST SWITCH FAILED ON OCCASSION FOR FIRST THREE MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. WORKS CONTINUOUSLY NOW. FAILURE#3:8/97-1998 LEFT TURN SIGNAL WOULD LIGHT UP WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, ONLY OCCASSIONALLY AND WHILE IT WAS SLOWING DOWN, NOT AT A STOP. FAILURE#4:6/99-CURREN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 727754 at NHTSA ↗