1997 Plymouth Neon problems
NHTSA has received 234 complaints about the 1997 Plymouth Neon, and 44% of them involve engine. After that come air bags (7%) and brakes (6%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 234 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 44% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 22 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 28 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 65,000 miles 35 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 8 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 1 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 12 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 4 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 7 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 35 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 65,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 64,000 miles (18 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 22 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 28 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 7 model years of the Plymouth Neon with enough data (130 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Consumer was involved in a frontal collision in which driver's air bag deployed and caught on fire. The airbag on the passenger side had a hole burning in the middle right after the impact. The fire burned the passenger's clothing and skin. Cause unknown.
At 55MPH hood latch popped open, causing hood to fly up, obstructing the view of the driver, and resulting in a collision. Driver and passenger sustained minor injuries. Manufacturer has been notified.
Vehicle was involved in a direct frontal collision. Upon impact, airbags did not deploy, and seat belt did not retract, resulting in minor injuries. Vehicle was totalled.the dealer and manufacturer have been notified.
While reversing both frontal air bags deployed prematurely. Driver sustained light bruises and eye irritation from the contents of the air bags.
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. When I leased the car it was 2 years old and previously leased. I had to have an engine mount replaced that was missing, left turn signal didn't work and that was replaced.