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1997 Plymouth NeonProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 161 owner complaints about the 1997 Plymouth Neon, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

51
CarFlaw IndexSolid year2% below the Neon median · #5 of 7 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints16137 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage64kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 2, 2006. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Plymouth Neon has problems

161 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling1030
Air bags1612
Power train140
Service brakes, hydraulic112
Structure91
Electrical system80
Steering62
Seat belts53
Exterior lighting50
11 other systems295

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1997 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.

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

1997 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

1997 Plymouth Neon safety ratings

1997 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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Plymouth Neon, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATEPE02082 · closed Apr 23, 2003
    No recall
In owners' words

What Neon owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CAR STALLED OUT AND STOPPED ON FREEWAY! I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. STATED RIGHT UP BUT STALLED AGAIN. HAD IT TOWED TO SHOP (PEPBOYS). THEY REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS BEFORE REFERRING ME TO DEALERSHIP AS THEY COULD NOT FIND AND FIX THE PROBLEM. CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS ENGINE WIRE HARNESS AT $930.00…
Complaint 10098689 · Nov 11, 2004 · 67,000 miles
MAJOR OIL LEAK FROM HEAD GASKET WHICH WAS REPLACED. CRACKED MANIFOLD REPLACED. BLOWER MOTOR TO HEATER WENT OUT AND WAS REPLACED. IGNITION COIL REPLACED. ALSO TIRES, BRAKES, STRUTS, BATTERY. WHEN I FIRST LEASED THE CAR I HAD TO GET NEW TIRES AS THERE WERE PLUGS IN TWO OF THE TIRES AND THEY BLEW OUT.…
Complaint 10070482 · Jan 15, 2004 · 65,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10068910 · Jan 15, 2004 · 122,000 miles

Own a 1997 Neon?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.