Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 49 | −70% | 2 | Brake | Good |
| 2000 | 141 | −21% | 5 | Brake | Average |
| 1999 | 62 | −62% | — | Engine | Good |
| 1998 | 167 | typical | 1 | Engine | Average |
| 1997 | 161 | typical | 1 | Engine | Average |
| 1996 | 308 | 2.1× | 2 | Engine | Avoid |
| 1995 | 481 | 3.2× | 6 | Engine | Avoid |
* Complaints compared with the median Neon year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Plymouth Neon problems
Latest Plymouth Neon recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. In the presence of oil and heat, the brake booster vacuum hose could swell and loosen from the intake manifold.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum hose. Owner notification began July 2, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within…
Child seat
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." some of the owner's manuals for these vehicles are missing instructions that provide a step-by-step procedure, including diagrams, for properly…
Remedy: Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: passenger cars. Vapors from the positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) system can condense and freeze inside of the throttle body when the vehicle is operated in extremely cold ambient temperatures.
Remedy: Dealers will replace and relocate a pcv system tube.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front suspension lower control arms May have been inadequately welded between the pivot tube and the arm.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower control arm.
Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some frontal (passenger side) air bags May not inflate properly.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag module on the passenger side.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Plymouth Neon should you avoid?
1995 and 1996 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Neon years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 1995.
What is the best year for the Plymouth Neon?
2001 has the fewest complaints compared with other Neon years at the same age, followed by 1999 and 2000. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Plymouth Neon problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (567), brakes (201) and air bags (158). Engine complaints peak in the 1996 model year.
How many recalls has the Plymouth Neon had?
14 recalls across 1995–2001. The model year with the most is 1995. See all Plymouth Neon recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.