Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Plymouth Neon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Vehicle was being driven across uneven pavement and a small pothole, and the drivers airbag deployed which caused vehicle to run into the curve, and the passenger's air bag deployed. Was travelling about 25mph due to construction on the road. Chrysler contacted and warranty is expired.
Air bags deployed while driving on wet pavement. Vehicle started ,went off the side of the road. Something hit underneath the car, and both airbags deployed and shattered the front windows on the passenger's and driver's sides.
When taking vehicle out of park into drive, the vehicle's throttle stuck, causing the vehicle to increase speed, resulting in an accident. Brakes failed to stop vehicle. No deployment of driver/passenger's air bags upon impact.
Vehicle was involed in a frontal collision.vehicle went over a ramp and rolled over three times. Upon impact, neither air bag deployed. Dealer was not notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information.
While driving between 30-35 MPH owner struck another vehicle direct frontal impact, and there was no deployment of driver's or passenger's side airbags. Problem has not been indentified by Chrysler investigator.
While traveling on the highway at a speed of 40mph, another vehicle pulled out in front of the vehicle, and the vehicle broadsided the vehicle that pulled out in front and the driver's side airbag didn't deploy.
While stopping at a red light vehicle was rearended and forced into another vehicle . Upon impact, driver's side air bag did not deploy. There was over $3000 dollars worth of damage to front end.
On every Plymouth Neon in the color of blue, the paint is chipping from the hood to the trunk. Also, when it rains, the inside of the car on the floors and in the trunk gets wet and in order to get the water out, it has to be vacuumed. I believe that something should be done about this. After having to invest a lot of money in something that you expect to have for many years, this should not be happening unless it is caused by you.
While driving, the driver's side airbag experienced false deployment, causing injury to consumer and causing consumer to lose control of the vehicle and crash, the passenger also sustained injuries from the accident, the passenger's airbag deployed during the crash.
When turning into a parking lot dual airbags deployed inadvertently. As a result, when air bags deployed they caught on fire. Driver sustained burns to the chest.
Airbag complaints in other Neon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1996 Plymouth Neon?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Plymouth Neon, 7% of the model year's 308 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Plymouth Neon airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1996 Plymouth Neon, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Plymouth Neon airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 18 crashes, 1 fire and 12 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.