IllustrationI was driving when the instrument cluster gauges started moving up and down like if the instrument cluster was making false contact with the connector to get a calibrated read on the speed, gasoline, temperature gauges
1996 Plymouth Neon
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Neon years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Plymouth Neon are substantially higher than the model-year median of 151.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Neon years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 19 of 308 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 167 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
32 crash reports11 fire reports24 injury reports
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
11 reportsVEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHEN ON THE ROAD. OCCASIONALLY, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DID NOT OPERATE, WHICH DID NOT INFORM OTHER DRIVERS WHEN MAKING TURNS. CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT OPERATE, AS WELL PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM INCREASING OR DECREASING SPEED.*AK
WHILE DRIVING, FRONT DISC BRAKES WILL NOT RELEASE ALL THE WAY CAUSING THEM TO WEAR EASILY BECAUSE OF CONSTANT DRIVING WITH THEM ENGAGED, ALL BRAKES FAILED LEAVING CONSUMER WITHOUT BRAKES AT ALL. *JG
CONSUMER PUSHED THE CANCEL BUTTON ON THE CRUISE CONTROL TO SLOW DOWN WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, INSTEAD OF SLOWING DOWN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. NLM
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE REVS UP WITHOUT NOTICE. ALSO ENGINE REVS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JERK FORWARD. DEALER CURRENTLY HAS VEHICLE. *AK
CONSUMER COMPLAINT WAS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING INTO TOWN AT 25 MPH, ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE AT HIGH SPEED. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF THE KEY TO GET THE VEHICLE TO DECREASE ITS SPEED. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INSPECTION IS BEING MADE OF VEHIC…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER COMPLAINT WAS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING INTO TOWN AT 25 MPH, ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE AT HIGH SPEED. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF THE KEY TO GET THE VEHICLE TO DECREASE ITS SPEED. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INSPECTION IS BEING MADE OF VEHICLE. *AK
TRANSMISSION/TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED FOUR TIMES.
WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, DID NOT RESPOND TO BRAKE AND WAS OUT OF CONTROL.
THROTTLE STUCK WIDE OPEN, VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL, RESULTING IN A CRASH/INJURIES. VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.
THE CAR NEEDS A NEW STEERING COLUMN. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS. THE HAS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSON. *AK
Official recalls
296V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
May 3, 1996
THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.
Consequence & remedy
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.
96V026000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood
Feb 5, 1996
AN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS CAN SHORT CIRCUIT DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION TUBE..
Consequence & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate
Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.
PE98012 · Underhood Fires
Opened Feb 26, 1998 · Closed Jun 23, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available