AI Damage1996 Plymouth Neon: common problems
Owners of the 1996 Plymouth Neon filed 308 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 308
- involving a crash
- 32
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 54% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 6% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 5% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 4% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 167 complaints (54% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 45 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 38 complaints (12% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 27 complaints (9% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 22 complaints (7% of all), 18 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 308 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 167 | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 45 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 38 | 6 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 27 | 2 | 0 |
| Air bags | 22 | 18 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 3 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Dt*: the contact stated during an accident the driver's side seat belt failed to retract. As a result of the seat belt failure injuries were sustained. While attempting to exit the vehicle, the seat belt was observed to be wrapped around the contact's legs. A police report was filed at the scene of the accident.
Vehicle was involved in vehicle crash and was thrown out of vehicle because seat belt failed to lock. Dealer was not notified at that time. Feel free to provide any further information.
Upon impact, driver's side air bag did not deploy. There was over $3000 dollars worth of damage to front end.
Vehicle involved in single car crash; icy road conditions caused car to roll.
Engine block or other part is cracked, leaking oil into cylinders 1 and 3, problem wasn't corrected last time in shop. Brakes fail regularly, especially under quick stopping attempts, even though the pads/shoes are still good. There is a gas leak that allows fumes to enter the car.
Air bags did not deploy in crash. Some one would have gotten really hurt if sitting on that side, oil leaks horribly after only 48,000 miles, alot of problems I have seen with that one as well.
After this vehicle hit another vehicle in the rear, a 5 month old child's safety seat belt let go and she came out of her seat and struck her head and stomach on the handle of the car seat.
If not for my daughter wearing her seatbelt she may have been seriously injured for the air bags did not inflate during a crash.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,304 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 4% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Neon has 153 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 308, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Plymouth Neon?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, electrical system, service brakes. Total complaints: 308. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: oil leak or consumption (19%), smoke, burning smell, fire (8%), stalls while driving (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1996 Plymouth Neon?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1996 Plymouth Neon from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1996 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.