1998 Plymouth Neon: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 166 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (47% of complaints); the 1999 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 1999
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 166 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 plymouth neon. The contact stated that the speedometer failed and would not display the speed being traveled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the speedometer circuit board resistor was replaced. The failure recurred. The failure and current mileage was 74,000. Updated 11/15/13*cn”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2013
“Car has 36,000 miles on it and oil started running out underneath the car. Took car to dealer and the head gasket was blown. This is a known problem and chrysler has yet to correct it. Upon further investigation I have found that I will have this problem again since it is a defect from the manufacturer. I was told from mechanic that several other cars the heads are also affected by this problem. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2011
“The strut on the driver side rear rattles. It rubs when I make right turns. I have only changed the struts in the rear and a wheel bearing on the driver side rear and it is still doing it. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“A 1990 chevy impala turned left in front of my son while he was driving my car, he was going 30 mph he hit the other car in the b pillar, both side doors with the front of my car. Neither air bag was deployed on my car. The passenger door would not open due to the fender being jammed back into the door. The bumper is dangling about 4-5 inches from where it should be. The passenger and driver injured their knees on the dash when they slid forward from the impact. The seat belts held. *nm”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2006
“Head gasket failure at 37500 miles ( 2001) head gasket failure at (83125 miles) resulting in oil contamination/check engine light problem/spark plug fouling. Rear oil seal failure ( started at 55125 miles)- $ 2000 repair bill to replace head gasket and rear oil seal at 83125 miles.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2005
“Head gasket failed at approximately 32,000 miles. Head gasket was replaced at a chrysler dealership and the new head gasket failed again with less than 40,000 miles on the gasket. This is a known problem with neons and chrysler has yet to issue a recall.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2005
“On my 1998 plymouth neon the fuel filler tube rusted away (I was able to see daylight when filling up with gas). The rust/road debris/water went into the fuel tank and was not prevented from going into the fuel rail & injectors causing the car to constantly stumble and display the "service engine soon" warning lite.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2004
“Took my 98 neon with 42,000 miles into local chrysler dealership for an oil leak. They said that the head gasket needed to be replaced for a total of $1050. It is my opinion that: - the head gasket failure is not due to my own negligence, but an inherent design flaw. - the inferior head gaskets shipped in these cars pose a slight safety risk to consumers because it directly leads to oil leakage. - a large percentage, if not all first generation neons, are affected by this problem. *la”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2004
“Consumer noticed that the brake lights burned out continuously. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the brake lights needed to be replaced, and replaced them. However, the problem recurred. Vehicle was taken back to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic could not duplicate the problem. *ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2004
“Passenger's side airbag cracked. Consumer contacted manufacturer and was told that she would have to pay for repairs. Consumer stated that if the air bag suddenly deployed she was afraid it will harm her daughter.*ak the heat from the sun warped the dash board. *tc”Owner report · Structure · May 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 20 of these complaints and injuries in 18 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MAY BE MISSING SPOT WELDS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MISSING WELDS, AND WILL HAVE STRUCTURAL RIVETS INSTALLED IN PLACE OF THE MISSING WELDS.
How other years compare
Check your exact Neon by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Plymouth Neon reliable?
NHTSA has 166 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1998 Plymouth Neon. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (47% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Plymouth Neon problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,562 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Plymouth Neon have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning structure:body. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.