Most common 1997 Plymouth Neon problems
Share of the 161 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 →
1997 Plymouth Neon recalls (1)
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
The electrical circuit design allows the potential for an inadvertent air bag deployment upon vehicle ignition shut down.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module with a newly designed module.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1997 Plymouth Neon:
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 1997 Plymouth Neon owners say
Engine & cooling all 103 →
I have experienced a number of mechanical failures to my 1997 Plymouth Neon which I purchased two years ago. One month after purchasing the car began having electrical problems; radio stopped working, clock display would blackout. The most recent was experiencing a blown head gasket at the time the car was in operation. I was able to bring the car to a safe stop. However, had the gasket blown when I was on the expressway just minutes before then, the scene May have been more serious. I discovered oil in my antifreeze. My husband and I have research and located a website that informed consumers of manufacture defects that have been reported on the neons from the 1995 to 1998. A number of complains have been brought to the attention of Chrysler corporation by other consumers. However, they do not see it as a problem. …
Major oil leak from head gasket which was replaced. Cracked manifold replaced. Blower motor to heater went out and was replaced. Ignition coil replaced. Also tires, brakes, struts, battery. When I first leased the car I had to get new tires as there were plugs in two of the tires and they blew out. When I leased the car it was 2 years old and previously leased. I had to have an engine mount replaced that was missing, left turn signal didn't work and that was replaced. Also, paint on hood is bubbling and is starting to peel on right passenger side panel behind rear window. Driver side window doesn't roll up tight and air blows in and it whistles. Also lines on windows on passenger and driver side from rolling it up and down.
Air bags
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.
Vehicle was invovled in two accidents. First accident was between two vehicles at an impact of 35 MPH, and the second accident occurred at an impact of 45 MPH. Upon both impacts, air bags failed to depoly. Dealer/manufacturer notified. Can NHTSA provide additional information on this matter.
Transmission & drivetrain
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.
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. …
1997 Plymouth Neon engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 25 / 35 / 29 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 31 / 25 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Plymouth Neon a good car?
Based on 161 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Neon rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Neon at the same age. 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 1997 Plymouth Neon?
The engine & cooling — 103 complaints, 64% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the air bags (16) and transmission & drivetrain (14).
How many recalls does the 1997 Plymouth Neon have?
There is 1 recall for the 1997 Plymouth Neon, the most recent from May 16, 1997 (sensor/control module-inactive). 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 1997 Plymouth Neon problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 65,000 miles; 23% 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.