no report yet
Foundation components: master cylinder
Risk. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM.
1996 Plymouth NeonProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 308 owner complaints about the 1996 Plymouth Neon, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 22, 2022. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1996 Plymouth Neon has problems
308 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
167Engine and engine cooling7 crash/fire/injury
45Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
36Service brakes, hydraulic6 crash/fire/injury
27Power train2 crash/fire/injury
22Air bags
15Steering
14Fuel system, gasoline
13Visibility
12Equipment
5514 other systems11 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 167 | 7 |
| Electrical system | 45 | 2 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 36 | 6 |
| Power train | 27 | 2 |
| Air bags | 22 | 20 |
| Steering | 15 | 2 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 14 | 4 |
| Visibility | 13 | 0 |
| Equipment | 12 | 0 |
| 14 other systems | 55 | 11 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
1996 Plymouth Neon recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Wiring: front underhood
Risk. SHORTING OF THE WIRING HARNESS CAN CAUSE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS, INCLUDING ENGINE STALLING.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Plymouth.
Best & worst years
1996 vs. every other Neon year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Neon median. How we score
'95'96'97'98'99'00'01
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1996 Plymouth Neon safety ratings
1996 Plymouth Neon 4-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1996 Plymouth Neon, and the recalls they led to.
- SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATENo recall
- UNDERHOOD FIRESNo recall
In owners' words
What Neon owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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.…
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…
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
Own a 1996 Neon?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.