Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 161 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Plymouth Neon, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 48 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1999 | 1 | 24 |
| Feb 1999 | 1 | 25 |
| Mar 1999 | 2 | 27 |
| Apr 1999 | 1 | 28 |
| Jun 1999 | 2 | 30 |
| Jul 1999 | 1 | 31 |
| Aug 1999 | 7 | 38 |
| Sep 1999 | 3 | 41 |
| Oct 1999 | 2 | 43 |
| Nov 1999 | 3 | 46 |
| Dec 1999 | 3 | 49 |
| Jan 2000 | 6 | 55 |
| Feb 2000 | 4 | 59 |
| Mar 2000 | 6 | 65 |
| Apr 2000 | 4 | 69 |
| May 2000 | 3 | 72 |
| Jun 2000 | 1 | 73 |
| Jul 2000 | 4 | 77 |
| Aug 2000 | 3 | 80 |
| Sep 2000 | 1 | 81 |
| Oct 2000 | 5 | 86 |
| Dec 2000 | 1 | 87 |
| Jan 2001 | 4 | 91 |
| Feb 2001 | 2 | 93 |
| Mar 2001 | 3 | 96 |
| Apr 2001 | 3 | 99 |
| May 2001 | 3 | 102 |
| Jun 2001 | 3 | 105 |
| Aug 2001 | 2 | 107 |
| Sep 2001 | 1 | 108 |
| Oct 2001 | 2 | 110 |
| Nov 2001 | 1 | 111 |
| Dec 2001 | 1 | 112 |
| Jan 2002 | 2 | 114 |
| Feb 2002 | 3 | 117 |
| Mar 2002 | 2 | 119 |
| Apr 2002 | 1 | 120 |
| May 2002 | 3 | 123 |
| Jun 2002 | 1 | 124 |
| Jul 2002 | 1 | 125 |
| Sep 2002 | 3 | 128 |
| Oct 2002 | 3 | 131 |
| Dec 2002 | 2 | 133 |
| Jan 2003 | 1 | 134 |
| Apr 2003 | 3 | 137 |
| May 2003 | 1 | 138 |
| Jun 2003 | 4 | 142 |
| Aug 2003 | 1 | 143 |
| Sep 2003 | 3 | 146 |
| Oct 2003 | 1 | 147 |
| Nov 2003 | 2 | 149 |
| Dec 2003 | 1 | 150 |
| Jan 2004 | 4 | 154 |
| Mar 2004 | 1 | 155 |
| Jul 2004 | 1 | 156 |
| Nov 2004 | 1 | 157 |
| Mar 2005 | 1 | 158 |
| Aug 2005 | 1 | 159 |
| Oct 2005 | 1 | 160 |
| Feb 2006 | 1 | 161 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
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.
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN A DRIVE-THRU, BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS OCCURRED, BUT STATED NOTHING WAS HIT OR RUN OVER. BOTH FRONT WINDOWS SHATTERED AND THE OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC.
I BOUGHT THIS 1997 PLYMOUTH NEON ON 8/19/2005 USED WITH 66000 MILES IT SEEMED LIKE A SOLID VEHICLE BUT IN SEPT/OCT WE HAD QUITE A BIT OF RAIN AND I NOTICED PUDDLES IN MY BACK SEAT AREA ON THE FLOOR BOTH SIDES,I CHECKED AROUND THE CAR FOR OPEN WINDOWS ECT.....THERE WAS NOTHING I CHECKED THE TRUNK AND IT SEEMED DAMP BUT NOTHING AS TO MAKE THE REAR FLOOR WET LIKE IT WAS. I WAS JUST WONDERING IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL?I KNOW IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE NOW BUT WHAT IF THIS WAS A PROBLEM TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND NOW WITH ME IT COULD TURN INTO A SAFETY PROBLEM IF THE FLOOR WAS TO GET RUSTY AND ROT THROUGH SOMEONE COULD END UP GETTING SEVERELY INJURED. IF THERE IS ANY INFO ON THIS PROBLEM COULD YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW SOMEHOW THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER. *NM
SINCE 2003 THIS VEHICLE HAD SMALL PATCHES AND A CAR WASH BY HAND OR BRUSHLESS AND NO SUN WILL CAUSE IT TO PEEL. THE PATCHES HAVE BECOME LARGER.*JB
PLYMOUTH NEON 1997 FOUND PAINT USED TO PAINT NEON IS DEFECTIVE. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS PEELING OFF IN ALARMINGLY LARGE PATCHES. *JB
CAR STALLED OUT AND STOPPED ON FREEWAY! I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. STATED RIGHT UP BUT STALLED AGAIN. HAD IT TOWED TO SHOP (PEPBOYS). THEY REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS BEFORE REFERRING ME TO DEALERSHIP AS THEY COULD NOT FIND AND FIX THE PROBLEM. CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS ENGINE WIRE HARNESS AT $930.00 TO FIX. DAIMLER-CHRYSLER KNOWS PART IS FAILING IN NEONS BUT DECLINED TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIR. DEALERSHIPS ORDERED PART 7 DAYS AGO. STILL HAS NOT ARRIVED AND I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION. *JB
THE HEADLIGHT LENS COVER WAS DISCOLORED AND DETERIORATED. THE LENS HAS BECOME OPAQUE TO THE POINT WHERE IT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE THE HIGHWAY PROPERLY. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, BUT HAS NOT TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC *JB
FIRESTONE FR480 P175 70R14 DOT CODE (HYEP FRA 229) 4 NEW TIRES PURCHASED NOV 8, 2003 FROM FIRESTONE DEALER IN PORT RICHEY FL, APPARENTLY MANUFACTURED 22ND WEEK OF 1999. *JB TIRE FAILED CATOSTROPHICALLY ON INTERSTATE CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO 1997 PLYMOUTH NEON CAUSED BY THE TIRE. THERE WAS A BLOWN OUT SECTION OF THE TIRE THROUGH THE METAL BELTS AND COMPLETE TREAD SEPERATION AROUND 3/4S OF THE TIRE. IT APPEARTS BASED ON THE MANUFACTURE DATE OF THE TIRE, THAT FIRESTONE HAS KEPT THESE TIRES IN A WAREHOUSE DURING THE PRIOR LAWSUITS AND INVESTIGATIONS, AND NOW THAT THINGS ARE QUIET, HAVE RETURNED THEM TO THE MARKET. I FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY THE SALE TO ME OF 4 BRAND NEW TIRES THAT ARE ACTUALLY OVER 4 YEARS OLD. PLUS, 1 BLEW OUT NEARLY CAUSING A FATAL ACCIDENT. I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO GET MY CAR FIXED OR NEW TIRES, OTHER THAN A REPLACEMENT OF THE SINGLE BLOWN OUT TIRE.
1997 PLYMOUTH NEON HEADGASKET FAILURE. THIS PROBLEM IS A KNOWN DESIGN PROBLEM OF THE ORIGINAL GASKET.*AK
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
STRUCTURE
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
EQUIPMENT
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
STRUCTURE
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.