Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
When backing into a parking space vehicle accelerated backwards, resulting in an impact in reverse. Vehicle was towed to dealership, and they were unable to duplicated problem. Both dealership and insurance company were unable to find the cause. Consumer states on several occasions the vehicle would not start.
2001 Plymouth Neon purchased new. While driving,engine started knocking loudly.continued home for about 3 more miles. Engine still knocking,vehicle was towed to dealer,and diagnosed as needing a new engine. 95,000 miles. No advance warning of engine failure, oil clean and full,oil changed every 4-5000 miles.
Frame of car was so rusted that the actual engine mounting system broke in half., lost control of steering and movement. My daughter was driving and the car began to shake she lost control of the steering then it stopped moving though the car was still in drive. Car was moving on a city street and turning was nil.
Head gasket failure at 40,000 miles. Vehicle only driven 6000 miles by first owner (my grandfather) and is now at 40,000 with my mother as current owner, with a blown head gasket. All maintenence performed as mandated by daimlerchrysler by both owners. Vehicles now has oil leak, resulting from this defect. Repair cost estimated at approximately $1000 by ase-certified kumler automotive in lancaster, oh. Mechanic stated that original Dodge/Plymouth Neon head gaskets (genuine daimlerchrysler parts) are made poorly and often fail on 1995-2000 neons. As the first generation of Neon vehicles used the same part, this defect has existed since 1995. As a result of such, daimlerchrysler has worded the warranty statement in such a manner to avoid correcting being required to correct this defect under warranty.
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. …
When brake is pushed the turn lights would light up and brake lights wouldn't brighten. This was (08/13/01). In 10/10/01 was able to drive forward in reverse and neutral, didn't have a reverse, transmission replaced. In 03/12/02, found oil in the antifreeze reserve and radiator, replaced engine due to head gasket problem. In 04/15/02, transmission doing the same thing back on 10/10/01 , transmission is replaced again. In 10/31/02, transmission replaced for the third time, due to shifting hard, and same problem as 10/10/01 and 04/18/02. Also, at the same time the speed sensor went out so there was no speedometer working. We also had to replace the rear main oil seal because it was leaking and replaced the oil sending unit. ***dims 11 ivoq entry posted after 121/12/02 cut-over to artemis--------769334.
Purchased car 5/2000 with 10,000 miles. Oil leak on garage floor, took to mechanic who said car had blown head gasket & these cars are notorious for this problem. Dealer contacted, who refused to repair under warranty even though it is only 1 month past the 3 yr date & well under the 36,000 miles. Think mfg. Should be held accountable for quality issue. Found several reports of same problem on your website. Need help. Single parent & no money to repair at my expense. Mr **** dims ii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/2002 cut-over artemis****740626
Frequently asked questions
Which Plymouth Neon years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (167), 1995 (147), 1997 (103), 1998 (91) and 1999 (31) model years. Engine complaints make up 54% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Plymouth Neon engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Plymouth Neon model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Plymouth Neon engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles; 31% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (381 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (125).
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.