AI Damage1999 Plymouth Neon: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Plymouth Neon filed 62 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 62
- involving a crash
- 8
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 48% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 10% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 5 Equipment 6% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 5% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 5% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 30 complaints (48% of all).
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (13% of all).
- Air bags: 6 complaints (10% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Equipment: 4 complaints (6% of all).
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-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 62 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 | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Front bumper, grill, hood, driver side front fender, headlight and windshield were damaged quite severely. Damage is approximately $4000. Speed was 45 mph. Deer was large buck, 12 points. Neither air bag deployed.
Vehicle was involved in a t-bone collision of 31 mph with a 1991 ford, explorer; both air bags did not deploy, both driver and passenger have received minor injuries, and vehicle was a total loss. Manufacturer was notified. Provide any further details on this matter.
While at stop sign was rear ended by another vehicle. Two front seats collapsed, leaving driver and passenger flat on their backs, and back of seat gave up without any prior warning.
Consumer's vehicle was at a stopping position when a large truck struck the rear of vehicle at an impact of 50-55 mph;, and both air bags failed to deploy. No injuries reported, and dealer was not contacted at this time.
Fuel gauge suddenly drops to empty. Even after a complete tank refill. It would seem to be an electrical malfunction in either the sensor or dash gauge itself. It can be "cleared" from being stuck on empty by shutting off the engine and then restarting it.
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.
Dt: the vehicle would not start,.opened the hood, looked like an electrical short, the wiring on the end glowed red right above the battery. Previously, there was an air conditioning problem, and the check engine light came on. They said it was a sensor. Also a trunk latch.
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.
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 4,759 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 13% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Neon has 153 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 62, below 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.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Plymouth Neon?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, electrical system, air bags. Total complaints: 62. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: oil leak or consumption (21%), warning lights, check engine (10%), airbags did not deploy (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 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 1999 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 1999 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.