RoadVitals

1999 Plymouth Neon Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
62
Latest Jul 2, 2016
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
10
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Nov 23, 1998

What this page shows

Our database holds 62 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Plymouth Neon. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 62 · page 1 of 3

Electrical
Filed Jul 2, 2016

FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY DROPS TO EMPTY. EVEN AFTER A COMPLETE TANK REFILL. IT WOULD SEEM TO BE AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN EITHER THE SENSOR OR DASH GAUGE ITSELF. IT CAN BE "CLEARED" FROM BEING STUCK ON EMPTY BY SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND THEN RESTARTING IT.

NHTSA ID
10882315
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Mileage
94,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 19, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PLYMOUTH NEON, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED HOT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE IGNITION KEY WAS TOO HOT AND FAILED TO REMOVE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10821104
Incident
Dec 2, 2015
Mileage
173,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 15, 2009

HEAD GASKET FAILURE THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ON GOING PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL CAR - CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED OR AT VERY LEAST REPAIRED BY CHRYSLER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10273902
Incident
Jun 15, 2008
Mileage
40,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 6, 2006
Crash reported

AIR BAG FAILURE. STRUCK A DEER IN FRONT OF CAR. FRONT BUMPER, GRILL, HOOD, DRIVER SIDE FRONT FENDER, HEADLIGHT AND WINDSHIELD WERE DAMAGED QUITE SEVERELY. DAMAGE IS APPROXIMATELY $4000. SPEED WAS 45 MPH. DEER WAS LARGE BUCK, 12 POINTS. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10175311
Incident
Dec 5, 2006
Mileage
98,700 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jun 22, 2005

DT: THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START,.OPENED THE HOOD, LOOKED LIKE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, THE WIRING ON THE END GLOWED RED RIGHT ABOVE THE BATTERY. PREVIOUSLY, THERE WAS AN AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEM, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR. ALSO A TRUNK LATCH.*AK

NHTSA ID
10126173
Incident
Jun 21, 2005
Mileage
100,400 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 7, 2005

MY NEON HAS 86,000. I HAVE HAD IT FROM NEW. IN NOVEMBER OF 2003, I HAD MY SECOND HEAD GASKET REPLACED. I BELIEVE I AM ON MY WAY TO THE 3RD. I HAVE AN APPT WITH THE DEALER TOMORROW. I HAVE HAD THE EGR VALVE REPLACED AND MY SUNROOF HAS NOT WORKED FOR THE LAST 4. I HAD IT FIXED 4 YEARS AGO ONLY TO HAVE IT MALFUNCTION WITHIN 4 MONTHS. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NOT UNDER MY WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE LAST DEALER ADMITTED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKET FROM FACTORY AND CHRYSLER CHANGED THEM. APPARENTLY NOT SINCE MY HEAD GASKET WENT AGAIN IN LESS THAN 18000 MILES. 3 HEAD GASKETS IN 6 YEARS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10110002
Incident
Feb 5, 2005
Mileage
86 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 11, 2004

NOTICE OIL LEAK ON 1999 PLYMOUTH NEON. TOOK CAR TO LAUREL CHRYLSER JOHNSTOWN PA. ON MONDAY JUNE 7. WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BAD. TOLD THEM TO REPAIR IT COST OF $534.00. TOLD CAR WOULD BE DONE ON TUESDAY. IT WASN'T. WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON DEALER CALLED TO SAY HE HAD GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEW. GOOD NEWS WAS THE HEAD GASKET WAS DONE. BUT THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS LEAKING. COST TO REPLACE SEAL $334.00. I ASKED IF CAR WAS TESTED TO SEE IF HEAD GASKET WAS THE PROBLEM. WAS TOLD MECHANIC LOOK AND SAID IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET. I ASKED THE DEALER IS THE MECHANIC KNEW ABOUT A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THE CAM SENSOR SEAL LEAKING WHICH WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT WHEN THE CAM SEAL LEAKED IT LOOKED LIKE THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING. HE SAID THE MECHANIC LOOKED AND HE KNEW IT WAS THE HEAD. CAR ONLY HAS 47,576 MILES. I QUESTION THE DEALER IF THE MECHANIC COULD HAVE MADE A MISTAKE. THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS RUDE AND SAID HE DIDN'T NEED TO MAKE MONEY WITH UNNECCESSARY REPAIRS. I ASKED IF THE VEHICKLE WAS TESTED FOR THE PROBLEM. HE SAID NO. 3 OTHER DEALERS TOLD ME ON AN OIL LEAK LIKE THAT THE THEY PUT A DYE IN THE OIL AND THEN TO RUN 1 TO 2 DAYS AND BRING IT BACK. WITH THE DYE THEY CAN SEE WHERE THE OIL IS LEAKING. LAUREL DIDN'T DO THAT. NOW INSTEAD OF THE CAR REPAIRED AFTER $534.00 IT WILL COST ANOTHER $334.00 TO FIX REAR MAIN SEAL. COULD HAVE BEEN THAT ALL ALONG. NO HELP FROM THE DEALER OR MANUFACTOR. I FOUND ON THE INTERNET THAT ALOT OF NEONS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10075210
Incident
Jun 6, 2004
Mileage
47,575 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed May 18, 2004

I BOUGHT THIS CAR 3 WEEKS AGO AND HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE REAR MAIN SEAL AND PUT A NEW OIL SENDING UNIT IN. NOW I AM TOLD IT IS THE HEAD GASKET FOR WHICH IS ESTIMATED AT $800 TO FIX.MY 1999 NEON ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT!THIS CAR OF MINE IS STILL LEAKING OIL AND I AM SCARED TO DRIVE ANY WHERE WITH MY SON, IN FEAR THAT I WILL BE STRANDED SOME WHERE AND NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO! I AM A SINGLE MOM AND CANNOT AFFORD THIS....WHY AREN'T THE DEALERSHIPS RECALLING THESE CARS TO FIX RIGHT. I THINK THIS IS WRONG AND MAKES THEM LOOK BAD WHY DON'T THEY REDEEM THEIR REPUTTAION AND FIX THE PROBLEM IN THESE NEON.I AM A VERY UNHAPPY NEON OWNER!!!*AK

NHTSA ID
10072834
Incident
May 14, 2004
Engine
Filed Apr 29, 2004

HEAD GASKET LEAKED OIL. *PH CAM SHAFT SENSOR SEAL ALSO LEAKS OIL. THE OIL LEAKED ON TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND ON TO THE GROUND. CHRYSLER KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *LA

NHTSA ID
10071931
Mileage
46,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 1, 2004

OIL LEAKED FROM CAMSHAFT AND HEAD GASKETS. *AK THIS HAD BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE 1996. CHRYSLER CHANGED THE PART TWO TIMES, BUT DID NOT NOTIFY OWNERS. THE CONSUMER SMELLED BURNING OIL REGULARLY. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10062890
Mileage
44,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Mar 3, 2004

HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS, COST MORE TO FIX THE PROBLEM THAN THE CAR IS WORTH, HAVE ALSO HAD BRAKES REPLACED TWICE AND ALSO NEW ROTORS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10060272
Incident
Apr 19, 2002
Engine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED AT 24304 MILES ON 6/21/00 AND NOW HAS WENT BAD AGAIN AT 63000 9/15/03 AND CHRYSLER IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR IT

NHTSA ID
10070858
Incident
Sep 15, 2003
Mileage
63,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

THE HIGH PRESSURE A/C HOSE VIBRATED AND CAUSED A HOLE. THE CAR IS ONLY 3,000 MILES OVER WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP INDCIATED THAT IT WENT OUT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY. DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEY CAUSED THE PROBLEM THE INSIST THAT I PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THEY SAID IT WON'T GO OUT AGAIN BECAUSE THEY WILL INSTALL IT PROPERLY. THEY WANTED $370.00 TO REPAIR IT. I CAN'T AFFORD THE COST AT THE MOMENT SO I JUST PICKED UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP TODAY.

NHTSA ID
10070501
Incident
Jun 15, 2003
Mileage
39,000 mi
EngineVisibility
Filed Jan 15, 2004

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A 60,000 MILE CHECK-UP AND WAS ASTOUNDED TO LEARN THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING AT ONLY 57,000. I COULD NOT AFFORD THE REPAIR AT THIS TIME AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT NOTHING WAS LEAKING THAT WOULD HURT THE ENGINE, BUT IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF SOON. IN ALL THE YEARS I'VE HAD A CAR I'VE NEVER HAD A LEAKING HEAD GASKET AND AT 57,000, TOO. MY LAST CAR, ALSO A PLYMOUTH, HAD OVER 127,000 MILES ON IT AND I NEVER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. I DO NOT MISUSE MY VEHICLE, I HAVE THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3 TO 6,000 MILES AND DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO KEEP IT TROUBLE FREE.

NHTSA ID
10070013
Incident
May 15, 2003
Mileage
52,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 26, 2003

DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET ON MY 1999 PLYMOUTH NEON. ALSO HAS AFFECTED OTHER CHRYSLER MODELS CHECK TSB NO. 09-05-98 FOR MORE DETAILS. CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE HAD A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES. IT COST ME $586.00 TO HAVE IT REPLACED THROUGH NEARBY CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THEY HAVE REPLACED QUITE A FEW OF THESE. IF SO WHY IN WORLD HAVE THEY NOT WARNED PEOPLE OF THESE VEHICLES THAT THE PROBLEM COULD HAPPEN TO THEM BEFORE IT RESULTS IN MORE COSTLY REPAIRS. A SERVICE BULLETIN SHOULD BE SENT TO THESE OWNERS STATING THAT IF THEY FIND ANY OIL LEAKING PROBLEMS IT COULD BE THE RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. CHRYSLER SHOULD BE PAYING ALL OR PART OF THE REPAIR COSTS FOR THIS DEFECT. *LA

NHTSA ID
10043590
Incident
Oct 22, 2003
Engine
Filed Oct 16, 2003

MAJOR OIL LEAK WHICH RESULTED IN ENGINE DAMAGE. *LA

NHTSA ID
10043045
Incident
Mar 11, 2003
Engine
Filed Sep 18, 2003

HEAD GASKET REPLACED 24,304 MILES 6/21/00, HEAD GASKET HAS WENT BAD AGAIN AT 63,000 MILES 9/15/03 AND CHRYSLER REFUSES TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10039108
Incident
Sep 17, 2003
Seat belts
Filed Sep 11, 2003

CONSUMER STATED THAT MIDDLE SEAT BELT PLASTIC CAP BROKE OFF, AND SHE COULD NOT TIGHTEN THE SEAT BELT. THE SEAT BELT JUST SLIDES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10039807
Incident
Sep 11, 2003
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Sep 11, 2003

CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10039746
Engine
Filed Jul 30, 2003

I'VE JUST RECENTLY HAD TO PUT $900.00 INTO A "HEAD GASKET" REPLACEMENT ON A 1999 PLYMOUTH NEON. THE DEALER AGENT HAD STATED THAT IT IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO CHRYSLER AND UNLESS THE VEHICLE IS COVERED UNDER A SERVICE CONTRACT, CHRYSLER IS DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT IT FOR THE CONSUMER. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED HEAD GASKETS ON NEONS AT 30,000 MILES AND HIGHER. WITH AS MANY VEHICLES I'VE OWNED IN MY LIFE, I'VE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A HEAD GASKET. EVEN AT 200,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID
10030413
Incident
Jul 29, 2003
Mileage
90,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 2, 2003

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, CONSUMER HEARS A GRINDING NOISE; HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES & DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGES THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH NEONS. VEHICLES BRAKES LININGS NEED TO BE CLEANED SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR IN AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT THIS NOISE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10020881
Incident
Apr 1, 2002
Engine
Filed May 8, 2003

HEAD GASKET LEAKING ON DRIVER SIDE OF CAR. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE REPAIR WOULD COST OVER $800.00, AND STATED THAT A RECALL WAS MADE BY PLYMOUTH ON MY PLYMOUTH NEON. HE SUGGESTED I CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF JACK POWELL CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH DODGE, ESCONDIDO, CA WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN SEPT 1999, AND TOLD THEM ABOUT MY HEAD GASKET OIL LEAK. THEY ASKED ME FOR MY VIN NUMBER. I WAITED 15 MINUTES FOR A WOMAN TO RETURN TO THE PHONE AND SAID THERE WAS NO RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE, THEN HUNG UP ON ME WHEN I STARTED TO ASK A QUESTION. I TOLD MY MECHANIC ABOUT THE INCIDENT, AND HE STATED HE HAD ANOTHER CUSTOMER WITH THE SAME HEAD GASKET LEAKING ON THEIR NEON AND PLYMOUTH REPAIRED IT. MY NEON REMAINS RELIABLE, AS LONG AS I PUT 1.5 QUARTS OF OIL IN IT EVERY WEEK. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10018398
Incident
May 6, 2003
Mileage
73,197 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 25, 2003

THE ENGINE MOUNT BOLT BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND DISCONNECTED THE BRAKE LINE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10017599
Incident
Apr 24, 2003
Engine
Filed Mar 10, 2003

THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB A MAJOR OIL LEAK OCCURRED AT 52K MILES, DID NOT RUN PROPERLY, AND MADE NOISE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT THE 3 PLY HEAD GASKET SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN PLACED IN THE VEHICLE FROM THE BEGINNING. SCC

NHTSA ID
10011268
Incident
Oct 24, 2002
Mileage
52,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 4, 2003

OIL LEAKED FROM THE ENGINE. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10009732
Incident
Feb 28, 2003

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.

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