1996 Plymouth Neon
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 167 of 308 complaints (54%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (15) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 481 in 1995 to 308 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | vs. 1996 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,250–2,400 | 2,250–2,500 | 2,150–2,500 | 2,150–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–28 | 25–28 | 25–29 | 24–29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–25 / 30–34 | 22–24 / 30–35 | 22–25 / 31–35 | 21–25 / 30–37 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 317–342 | 317–355 | 306–355 | 306–370 | |
| Complaints filed | 481 | 308 | 161 | 167 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 59 | 32 | 19 | 20 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 29 | 11 | 2 | 4 | |
| Injuries reported | 57 | 33 | 23 | 18 | |
| Deaths reported | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Plymouth Neon have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1996 Plymouth Neon?
Engine: 167 of 308 NHTSA complaints (54%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Plymouth Neon get?
EPA rates it 25–28 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Plymouth Neon?
EPA estimates $2,250–$2,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 3-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 355 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 24 mpg (high) | 35 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | $2,250 (low) | 317 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 167 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 27 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 17 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical | 45 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 38 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Steering | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 25 | 21 | 1 | 15 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 11 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 12 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 31 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · Campaign 96V075000 · May 8, 1996
Defect: THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT(S) WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT PRIOR TO PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD · Campaign 96V026000 · Feb 6, 1996
Defect: AN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS CAN SHORT CIRCUIT DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION TUBE..
Consequence: SHORTING OF THE WIRING HARNESS CAN CAUSE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS, INCLUDING ENGINE STALLING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROPERLY AND ANY WIRE THAT HAS BEEN DAMAGED WILL BE REPLACED.