Most common 1996 Plymouth Neon problems
Share of the 308 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Plymouth Neon complaints by model year
Best Neon years: 2001, 1999, 2000. Years to avoid: 1995, 1996. Compare all years →
1996 Plymouth Neon recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
The brake master cylinder can leak brake fluid due to a damaged double lip rear piston seal.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear brake master cylindr piston assembly.
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
An engine wiring harness can short circuit due to contact with the exhaust gas recirculation tube..
Remedy: Dealers will reroute the engine wiring harness properly and any wire that has been damaged will be replaced.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1996 Plymouth Neon:
Underhood fires
There is no summary currently available
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.
What 1996 Plymouth Neon owners say
Engine & cooling all 167 →
The car was run for 45mins at 10mph following a tractor. The last 2 miles were at 55mph. A few minutes after the vehicle was home and the engine turned off, the engine compartment caught on fire. All wiring and plastic components are a complete loss, hood is damaged, and all light units are ruined.
Transmission was replaced at about 35,000 miles under warranty, new transmission is beginning to slip. Headgasket has failed twice causing internal damage that the dealership won't admit to. Engine block or other part is cracked, leaking oil into cylinders 1 and 3, problem wasn't corrected last time in shop. Brakes fail regularly, especially under quick stopping attempts, even though the pads/shoes are still good. There is a gas leak that allows fumes to enter the car. EGR valve is broken and won't be fixed under warranty even though it's part of the engine. Paint is chipping on the bottom half of the car and the panels are now rusting. Car stalls in reverse. Car idles roughly even after tune-ups. Heat/ac knobs are cracked due to improper drilling.
Electrical system all 45 →
I was driving when the instrument cluster gauges started moving up and down like if the instrument cluster was making false contact with the connector to get a calibrated read on the speed, gasoline, temperature gauges
Dbr2 not working or obd 2 not working when plug in obd reader no sign of workingness on vehicle
Brakes all 38 →
Transmission was replaced at about 35,000 miles under warranty, new transmission is beginning to slip. Headgasket has failed twice causing internal damage that the dealership won't admit to. Engine block or other part is cracked, leaking oil into cylinders 1 and 3, problem wasn't corrected last time in shop. Brakes fail regularly, especially under quick stopping attempts, even though the pads/shoes are still good. There is a gas leak that allows fumes to enter the car. EGR valve is broken and won't be fixed under warranty even though it's part of the engine. Paint is chipping on the bottom half of the car and the panels are now rusting. Car stalls in reverse. Car idles roughly even after tune-ups. Heat/ac knobs are cracked due to improper drilling.
ABS brakes; brake pedal goes to floor when applied. Owner spoke w/sport Chrysler norristown, pa., and they told her brakes were self adjusting. Two days later she had an accident. Chrysler rep., wishes to inspect vehicle. Please describe details.
1996 Plymouth Neon engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 24 / 35 / 28 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 30 / 25 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Plymouth Neon a good car?
Based on 308 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 Neon rates avoid: 2.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the Neon at the same age. It is one of the Neon years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Plymouth Neon?
The engine & cooling — 167 complaints, 54% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the electrical system (45) and brakes (38).
How many recalls does the 1996 Plymouth Neon have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1996 Plymouth Neon, the most recent from May 3, 1996 (master cylinder). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Plymouth Neon?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2001, 1999 and 2000. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995 and 1996. See the full Plymouth Neon years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Plymouth Neon problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 83,000 miles; 16% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.