Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Plymouth Neon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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. …
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The vehicle stalled without warning. 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
Oil leaked from camshaft and head gaskets. 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.
I am an owner of a 1999 Chrysler Plymouth Neon. It has come to my attention that everyone who I know or have come in contact with who owns a Neon has a major oil leak problem which usually starts at about 70,000 miles. It appears that the head gasket Chrysler used is a rubber head gasket which fails and as a result major oil laeakage occurs. This costs somewhere in the vicinity of $600 - $800 to fix. Since it is such a widespread problem could this be cause for a recall? I have taken exceptional care of my car and I do not feel that I should have to pay a mechanic this amount of money to fix such a default, especially having a monthly payment of over 300 to Chrysler which I still have for another year and a half. Please advise as to how I can remedy this and if there is a chance for a possible recall. Thank you very much.
Engine complaints in other Neon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1999 Plymouth Neon?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1999 Plymouth Neon, 50% of the model year's 62 complaints. The component named most often is engine (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Plymouth Neon engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1999 Plymouth Neon. 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 1999 Plymouth Neon engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 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.