1998 Plymouth Neon
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 91 of 167 complaints (54%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 161 in 1997 to 167 in 1998.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,250–2,500 | 2,150–2,500 | 2,150–2,600 | 2,250–2,600 | 2,300–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–28 | 25–29 | 24–29 | 24–28 | 24–27 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–24 / 30–35 | 22–25 / 31–35 | 21–25 / 30–37 | 21–24 / 29–36 | 22–24 / 28–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 317–355 | 306–355 | 306–370 | 317–370 | 329–370 | |
| Complaints filed | 308 | 161 | 167 | 62 | 141 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 32 | 19 | 20 | 8 | 29 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 11 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 5 | |
| Injuries reported | 33 | 23 | 18 | 5 | 23 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | |
| 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 1998 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 1998 Plymouth Neon?
Engine: 91 of 167 NHTSA complaints (54%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Plymouth Neon get?
EPA rates it 24–29 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Plymouth Neon?
EPA estimates $2,150–$2,600 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 | 21 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 370 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg (high) | 37 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | $2,150 (low) | 306 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 91 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Steering | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 21 | 14 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 14 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 8 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 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)
STRUCTURE:BODY · Campaign 99V001000 · Jan 21, 1999
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MAY BE MISSING SPOT WELDS.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN STRUCTURAL CRACKS IN THE BODY, AND REDUCED CRASH PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MISSING WELDS, AND WILL HAVE STRUCTURAL RIVETS INSTALLED IN PLACE OF THE MISSING WELDS.