PLYMOUTH NEON · model year

1996 PLYMOUTH NEON

476 NHTSA complaints, 41 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1996PLYMOUTHNEON carries 476 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 41 crashes, 11 fires, 45 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1996 NEON is engine and engine cooling:engine with 119 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (44) and unknown or other (23). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 1996 NEON. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

476
Complaints
41
Crashes
11
Fires
45
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

476 filings

Crashes Reported

41 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE119
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE44
UNKNOWN OR OTHER23
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL22
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS14
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD14
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION13
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH10
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN6

Recent Complaints

20220222ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Dbr2 not working or obd 2 not working when plug in obd reader no sign of workingness on vehicle

20211231ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I was driving when the instrument cluster gauges started moving up and down like if the instrument cluster was making false contact with the connector to get a calibrated read on the speed, gasoline, temperature gauges

20211231VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I was driving when the instrument cluster gauges started moving up and down like if the instrument cluster was making false contact with the connector to get a calibrated read on the speed, gasoline, temperature gauges

20211231UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I was driving when the instrument cluster gauges started moving up and down like if the instrument cluster was making false contact with the connector to get a calibrated read on the speed, gasoline, temperature gauges

20070801FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE CAR WAS RUN FOR 45MINS AT 10MPH FOLLOWING A TRACTOR. THE LAST 2 MILES WERE AT 55MPH. A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS HOME AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. ALL WIRING AND PLASTIC COMPONENTS ARE A COMPLETE LOSS, HOOD IS DAMAGED, AND ALL LIGHT UNITS ARE RUINED. *TR

Mileage: 400,000

20070120ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CEASES TO FUNCTION. SPEEDOMETER GOES TO ZERO, TACHOMETER GOES TO ZERO, GAS GAUGE STOPS, TEMP GAUGE GOES TO COLD. THIS HAPPENS USUALLY WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH., OR WHATEVER THE LEGAL LIMIT FOR A GIVEN AREA IS. A BIT DISCONCERTING AT TIMES. AFTER A TIME PERIOD, THINGS START TO WORK AGAIN, AND THEN THEY QUIT AGAIN. WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE NEW. *JB

Mileage: 98,400

20060623CrashSEAT BELTS

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. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 7/13/2006 - THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS CHEST, NECK AND LEFT LEG. *NM

Mileage: 116,000

20060414TIRES

ON 01/03/06, I PURCHASED 4 NEW DAYTON DAYTONA HR TIRES (SIZE 185/60R14) FROM REEVES TIRE IN JOPLIN, MISSOURI FOR MY 1996 PLYMOUTH NEON. ON 02/01/06, AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES, THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE (APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH). THE CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A BROKEN BEAD, WITH NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE TIRE. ON 04/12/06, IMMEDIATELY AFTER HAVING MY TIRES ROTATED, REBALANCED, AND MY CAR REALIGNED (AGAIN AT REEVES TIRE), MY DRIVERS-SIDE FRONT TIRE DETONATED, AGAIN ON THE INTERSTATE, AGAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. I HAD TRAVELED, AT MOST, 10 MILES AFTER HAVING THE WORK PERFORMED. AFTER I STOPPED MY CAR, I INSPECTED THE TIRE AND FOUND THAT APPROXIMATELY 6-8 INCHES OF THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY GONE. THERE WERE NO CORDS OR FIBERS HANGING FROM THE TIRE. IT WAS ALMOST AS IF THE SIDE WALL HAD BEEN CUT FROM THE TIRE. THE BEAD WAS STILL INTACT, BUT THERE WAS NO RUBBER ANYWHERE ON IT. IT WAS JUST BARE STEEL CORDS. THIS WAS APPROX

Mileage: 102,850

20060110POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

CONSUMER 1996 PLYMOUTH NEON PCM HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED CAUSING COMER VEHICLE TO FAIL EMISSIONS. *TS THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FAILED STATE EMISSION INSPECTION BECAUSE THE VEHICLE'S READINESS CODES WERE CLEARED EACH TIME THE KEY WAS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION. THE CONSUMER FOUND A TSB WHICH STATED THAT THE PCM MUST BE REPROGRAMMED TO REMEDY THE CONDITION. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET THE LOCAL DEALER TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE ELSEWHERE WHERE THE PCM WAS REPROGRAMMED AT NO CHARGE. *NM

Mileage: 62,000

20050617AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

ON EVERY PLYMOUTH NEON IN THE COLOR OF BLUE, THE PAINT IS CHIPPING FROM THE HOOD TO THE TRUNK. ALSO, WHEN IT RAINS, THE INSIDE OF THE CAR ON THE FLOORS AND IN THE TRUNK GETS WET AND IN ORDER TO GET THE WATER OUT, IT HAS TO BE VACUUMED. I BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. AFTER HAVING TO INVEST A LOT OF MONEY IN SOMETHING THAT YOU EXPECT TO HAVE FOR MANY YEARS, THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING UNLESS IT IS CAUSED BY YOU.

20050608ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS GETTING HER 1996 PLYMOUTH NEON REGISTERED BECAUSE IT ALLEGEDLY FAILED TO PASS A SMOG CHECK.*MR IN SEPTEMBER 200 THE VEHICLE PASSED THE TEST. IN SEPTEMBER 2003 THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER ADVISING HER THAT HER MAKE/MODEL HAD BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE OBD SELF TEST. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING THE SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL THEREFORE SHE DIDN'T TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. IN SEPTEMBER 2004 WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO REGISTER THE VEHICLE AND OBTAIN A NEW SMOG CERTIFICATE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT HER VEHICLE FAILED THE MIL/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DUE TO FAILURE TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE ALL OBD SELF TEST. UPON REVIEWING THE VIN THE DMV CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SALVAGED THEREFORE IT DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM

20050304ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHEN ON THE ROAD. OCCASIONALLY, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DID NOT OPERATE, WHICH DID NOT INFORM OTHER DRIVERS WHEN MAKING TURNS. CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT OPERATE, AS WELL PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM INCREASING OR DECREASING SPEED.*AK

20050304EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHEN ON THE ROAD. OCCASIONALLY, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DID NOT OPERATE, WHICH DID NOT INFORM OTHER DRIVERS WHEN MAKING TURNS. CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT OPERATE, AS WELL PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM INCREASING OR DECREASING SPEED.*AK

20050304VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHEN ON THE ROAD. OCCASIONALLY, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DID NOT OPERATE, WHICH DID NOT INFORM OTHER DRIVERS WHEN MAKING TURNS. CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT OPERATE, AS WELL PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM INCREASING OR DECREASING SPEED.*AK

20050215UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE ROOF AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR

20041128ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

OIL LEAKS, DASHBOARD FAILURE, NOISE IN BRAKES, WIND NOISE IN PASSENGERS DOOR. HAVE REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKET TWICE, REPLACED OIL SENDIND UNIT,CAM SENSOR WAS REPLACED NOW I HAVE A BIG OIL LEAK, CAR ONLY HAS 45000 MILES ON IT. *AK

Mileage: 45,000

20041128ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

OIL LEAKS, DASHBOARD FAILURE, NOISE IN BRAKES, WIND NOISE IN PASSENGERS DOOR. HAVE REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKET TWICE, REPLACED OIL SENDIND UNIT,CAM SENSOR WAS REPLACED NOW I HAVE A BIG OIL LEAK, CAR ONLY HAS 45000 MILES ON IT. *AK

Mileage: 45,000

20041128SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

OIL LEAKS, DASHBOARD FAILURE, NOISE IN BRAKES, WIND NOISE IN PASSENGERS DOOR. HAVE REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKET TWICE, REPLACED OIL SENDIND UNIT,CAM SENSOR WAS REPLACED NOW I HAVE A BIG OIL LEAK, CAR ONLY HAS 45000 MILES ON IT. *AK

Mileage: 45,000

20041123CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *JB

Mileage: 83,000

20041030UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY PAINT ON MY 1996 PLYMOUTH NEON PEELING OFF. ITS NOT LIKE IT ON THE ROOF OR HOOD ITS ALL OVER THE CAR THE TRUNK, THE DOORS, THE HOOD AND THE ROOF ARE ALL PEELING. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM EITHER.*JB

Compare 1996PLYMOUTHNEON to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1996 PLYMOUTH NEON have?
The 1996 PLYMOUTH NEON has 476 NHTSA complaints, 41 crashes, 11 fires, 45 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 PLYMOUTH NEON?
The most-complained component for the 1996 PLYMOUTH NEON is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 119 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 1996 PLYMOUTH NEON safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.