1997 Plymouth Neon
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 103 of 161 complaints (64%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (17) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 308 in 1996 to 161 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1997 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,250–2,400 | 2,250–2,500 | 2,150–2,500 | 2,150–2,600 | 2,250–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–28 | 25–28 | 25–29 | 24–29 | 24–28 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–25 / 30–34 | 22–24 / 30–35 | 22–25 / 31–35 | 21–25 / 30–37 | 21–24 / 29–36 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 317–342 | 317–355 | 306–355 | 306–370 | 317–370 | |
| Complaints filed | 481 | 308 | 161 | 167 | 62 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 59 | 32 | 19 | 20 | 8 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 29 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 57 | 33 | 23 | 18 | 5 | |
| Deaths reported | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 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 1997 Plymouth Neon have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 1997 Plymouth Neon?
Engine: 103 of 161 NHTSA complaints (64%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Plymouth Neon get?
EPA rates it 25–29 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Plymouth Neon?
EPA estimates $2,150–$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) | 31 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 | 25 mpg (high) | 35 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | $2,150 (low) | 306 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 103 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 12 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 20 | 10 | 2 | 17 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 11 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 14 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 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 (1)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · Campaign 97V080000 · May 23, 1997
Defect: THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESIGN ALLOWS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN.
Consequence: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.