Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
Driving on freeway at approx. 60mph. Steering became hard to steer. Swirved to avoid hitting side vehicles. Breaks became loose, unable to slow down. The Plymouth Neon 02, became out of control. Thereafter, spinning around to flip on it's driver side coming to a rest in an embakement. No airbags employed.
Power steering would lock up intermittently when driving over a water puddle. Also, vehicle experienced problem with oil leakages due to a head gasket failure. When appying brakes pedal would go to floor, and caused extended stopping distance. Dealer was notified, and informed consumer that none of the problems were covered under a recall, and vehicle was out of its warranty. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
Chysler is informing me that there is no such recall, recall number 99v-001. My car falls within the low high VIN numbers reported to possibly have this problem and I am having numerous problems with my 1998 Plymouth Neon thatapply to this recall as well as serveral TSB.
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.
The wiring harness on my 1996 Dodge Neon has been rubbing on the steering wheel support member. The member has sharp edges. The result was the wiring harness shorted against the steel member, melting a wire to the inside and panel lights, smoking, and causing an electrical failure. None of the fuses designed to protect the system were blown. I traced a melted wire from the light switch all the way to the radio. This is a potential for a vehicle fire. Chrysler should recall all Neon's and place a wiring tube around the harness where it contacts the support brace under the dash.
When accelerating the car pulls to the left, when decelerating vehicle pulls to the right. Steering wheel replaced, it was vibrating due to being out of alignment, rack and pinion and steering rack were also replaced. Excessive shaking while driving, dealer replaced tires, and balanced and rotated tires, however shake still present, dealer stated vehicle had torque pull and could not be aligned, also had bad strut, vehicle continues to pull to the left and right and shakes. Consumer noticed oil around the bolts on the valve cover at only 265 miles, dealer can not find any leaks, front motor mount had a lot of play and was replaced, oil is very dark in color, poor power. Cv joints bad. Dealer lubed and adjusted front windows, they were hard to open and close. Windshield wiper blades failed. Wrong air cleaner vent was installed on vehicle. Emergency brake was stuck on. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1995 Plymouth Neon. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. On another occasion, the contact stated that while reversing, the steering column started smoking. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering column coupler and steering harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also mentioned that the turn signals and interior lighting failed to operate intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 97V169000 (steering). The failure mileage was 60,000.
Related recalls (1)
Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The steering column coupler can become disconnected when the vehicle experiences an underbody impact.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering column coupler with a coupler design that collapses on impact.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of steering control
There is no summary currently available
Loss of steering control
There is no summary currently available
Loss of steering control
There is no summary currently available
Steering column separation
Mr. Larry a. Sackey submitted a petition to the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) by letter dated April 18, 2003, requesting that nhtsafurther investigate the defective collapsible steering shaft system on 1987-1995 vehicles manufactured by the daimlerchrysler corporation.in part because of 49 cfr ? 30120(g), NHTSA has decided to limit the scope of the petition vehicles to 1993-1995 models,…
Frequently asked questions
Which Plymouth Neon years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (71), 1996 (15), 2000 (11), 1997 (6) and 1998 (5) model years. Steering complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Plymouth Neon steering problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 97V-169 (steering wheel/handle bar, Oct 7, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Plymouth Neon steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles; 0% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the steering wheel/handle bar (42 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (21).
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.