1997 Plymouth Neon Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1997 Plymouth Neon, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine10350.2%
- Airbags167.8%
- Brakes125.9%
- Transmission104.9%
- Body & structure94.4%
- Electrical73.4%
- Steering62.9%
- Exterior lighting52.4%
- Interior & seats52.4%
- Seat belts52.4%
- Suspension52.4%
- Tires & wheels52.4%
- Visibility42.0%
- Fuel system42.0%
- Powertrain (other)42.0%
- Driver assistance31.5%
- Heating & air conditioning10.5%
- Other / unspecified10.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
1997 PLYMOUTH NEON HEADGASKET FAILURE. THIS PROBLEM IS A KNOWN DESIGN PROBLEM OF THE ORIGINAL GASKET.*AK
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
WHILE REVERSING BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED PREMATURELY. DRIVER SUSTAINED LIGHT BRUISES AND EYE IRRITATION FROM THE CONTENTS OF THE AIR BAGS.*AK
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING. *YH
BRAKES REDONE AFTER 3 YEARS, HEAD GASKET REPLACED AFTER 4 YEARS, CLEAR COAT ON PAINT ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED, MUFFLER ALMOST FELL OFF, EXHAUST DETECTED IN CABIN OF CAR, REVERSE LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, MOTOR MOUNT BROKEN, SEALS ON WINDOWS FALLING DOWN DOOR JAM. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768018
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. *NLM
I CONTACTED CHRYSLER DAIMLER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON ANY OF THE PARTS THAT HAVE GONE BAD ON MY CAR, BUT I READ THE INFORMAITON ABOUT THE RECALLS ON THE NHTSA SITE. THE SAME PROBLEMS ARE WRONG WITH MY CAR AS WITH THE CARS THAT HAVE RECALLED PARTS, IE BAD TRANSMISSION, HEAD GASKET, AND ELECTRICAL. I HAVE SPENT 2,200 DOLLARS FIXING THIS CAR IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS, AND NOW THERE IS A ROD KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE. IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME THAT OTHER NEONS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS HAVE RECALLED PARTS, BUT MINE DOES NOT. IF THE PARTS DO NOT NEED RECALLED, THEN WHY DID THEY ALL SELF DESTRUCT? I THANK GOD THAT I WAS NOT STRANDED WITH MY TWO YEAR OLD SON IN THE CAR. I CAN'T DRIVE MY SON IN MY CAR NOW BECAUSE THE ROD MAY COME COMPLETELY LOOSE AND STRAND US. ALSO, I HAVE TO DRIVE 15 MILES TO SCHOOL FOUR DAYS A WEEK, AND DON'T HAVE A RELIABLE CAR, ANYMORE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT BEING STUCK ALONGSIDE THE ROAD IN TEN DEGREE WEATHER. PLEASE CONTACT ME CONCERNING THE QUESTIONNAIRE THAT I FILLED OUT. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY TIME THAT COULD BE SPENT EXPLAINING MY CURRENT SITUATION/OPTIONS TO ME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.*AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
PLYMOUTH NEON 1997 FOUND PAINT USED TO PAINT NEON IS DEFECTIVE. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS PEELING OFF IN ALARMINGLY LARGE PATCHES. *JB
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
IN HEAVY RAIN THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO STEER, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE 02 SENSOR, AND NOW THE COOLING FANS DON`T WORK I HAVE ALSO NOTICED A MUSTY SMELL WHEN I TURN ON THE AIR COND. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE EGR VALVE IT IS JUST ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER THAT KEEPS GOING WRONG WITH THIS CAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN HEAVY RAIN THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO STEER, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE 02 SENSOR, AND NOW THE COOLING FANS DON`T WORK I HAVE ALSO NOTICED A MUSTY SMELL WHEN I TURN ON THE AIR COND. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE EGR VALVE IT IS JUST ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER THAT KEEPS GOING WRONG WITH THIS CAR.
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED HIM. CAR WENT INTO A SPIN AND SPINNED INTO A FIVE FOOT CONCRETE WALL. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 45 TO 50 MPH. NO INJURIES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
HEAD GASKET FAILURE, REVERSE LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY, WINDOW SEALS AND SEALS TO THE TRUNK ARE FALLING OFF, THE TRUNK IS TAKING IN WATER WHICH IS DRAINING INTO THE VEHICLE'S REAR FLOOR. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I CONTACTED CHRYSLER DAIMLER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON ANY OF THE PARTS THAT HAVE GONE BAD ON MY CAR, BUT I READ THE INFORMAITON ABOUT THE RECALLS ON THE NHTSA SITE. THE SAME PROBLEMS ARE WRONG WITH MY CAR AS WITH THE CARS THAT HAVE RECALLED PARTS, IE BAD TRANSMISSION, HEAD GASKET, AND ELECTRICAL. I HAVE SPENT 2,200 DOLLARS FIXING THIS CAR IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS, AND NOW THERE IS A ROD KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE. IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME THAT OTHER NEONS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS HAVE RECALLED PARTS, BUT MINE DOES NOT. IF THE PARTS DO NOT NEED RECALLED, THEN WHY DID THEY ALL SELF DESTRUCT? I THANK GOD THAT I WAS NOT STRANDED WITH MY TWO YEAR OLD SON IN THE CAR. I CAN'T DRIVE MY SON IN MY CAR NOW BECAUSE THE ROD MAY COME COMPLETELY LOOSE AND STRAND US. ALSO, I HAVE TO DRIVE 15 MILES TO SCHOOL FOUR DAYS A WEEK, AND DON'T HAVE A RELIABLE CAR, ANYMORE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT BEING STUCK ALONGSIDE THE ROAD IN TEN DEGREE WEATHER. PLEASE CONTACT ME CONCERNING THE QUESTIONNAIRE THAT I FILLED OUT. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY TIME THAT COULD BE SPENT EXPLAINING MY CURRENT SITUATION/OPTIONS TO ME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.*AK
WHILE STOPPING VEHICLE WAS REARENDED BY A TRUCK AND PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BROKE AND WENT BACKWARDS WHERE HEADREST WAS ON BACKSEAT. DID NOT CONTACT DEALER. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILED. *JB
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A DIRECT FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR BAG WILL NOT INFLATE.
NO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY CONSUMER
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
CONSTANT REPLACEMENT OF TIRES ON FRONT DRIVERS SIDE, EXCESSIVE WEAR, NEW TIRE ONLY LAST ABOUT 6 TO 7 MONTHS, HAVE HAD ALIGNMENT CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES. MISFIRES A LOT EVEN THOUGH I GET IT TUNED UP EVERY 3 MONTHS, EXCESSIVE OIL USAGE. DEALER GIVES ME NO GOOD ANSWERS FOR THIS. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING. *YH
DURING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE GLASSS WINDOWS SHATTERED. IS THIS NORMAL?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK WHICH GOES INTO THE COOLANT SYSTEM. MR SCC
AIR BAG WILL NOT INFLATE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN HEAVY RAIN THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO STEER, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE 02 SENSOR, AND NOW THE COOLING FANS DON`T WORK I HAVE ALSO NOTICED A MUSTY SMELL WHEN I TURN ON THE AIR COND. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE EGR VALVE IT IS JUST ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER THAT KEEPS GOING WRONG WITH THIS CAR.
WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT AXLE BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE HEADS GASKET WAS ALSO REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE THEY BLEW AND WERE LEAKING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER STARTING VEHICLE UP AND PUTTING IT INTO DRIVE, VHICLE TOOK OFF AND RAN ACROSS THE STREET, HITTING 2 CARS. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. NO ONE HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE CONTINUALLY / INTERMITTENTLY ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL WHICH ALMOST CAUSED DAMAGES AND INJURIES TO OTHER VEHICLE. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REMAINS UNRESOLVED. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE SOME HELP IN THIS MATTER BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
COMPUTER UNIT IN VEHICLE FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
68000 MILES. BLOWN HEAD GASKET. CAR IS ON 2ND HEAD GASKET ALREADY. THIS'LL BE THE 3RD. MAJOR OIL & COOLANT LEAKAGE. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE WITH NUMEROUS NEON OWNERS FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR. PLEASE COMPEL CHRYSLER TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .