FaultScore

1997 Plymouth Neon engine problems

111 of the 234 complaints about the 1997 Plymouth Neon are about the engine — 47% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 64,499 miles.

F

111

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 76 68.5%
Gasoline 16 14.4%
Exhaust System 4 3.6%
Cooling System 3 2.7%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 3 2.7%
Radiator Assembly 2 1.8%
GAS Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) 2 1.8%
FAN 2 1.8%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 1 0.9%
Emission Control 1 0.9%

Engine & Cooling across every Plymouth Neon year

1995 164 26.6%
1996 187 30.3%
1997 111 18.0%
1998 102 16.5%
1999 31 5.0%
2000 22 3.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 67,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

CAR STALLED OUT AND STOPPED ON FREEWAY! I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. STATED RIGHT UP BUT STALLED AGAIN. HAD IT TOWED TO SHOP (PEPBOYS). THEY REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS BEFORE REFERRING ME TO DEALERSHIP AS THEY COULD NOT FIND AND FIX THE PROBLEM. CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS ENGINE WIRE HARNESS AT $930.00 TO FIX. DAIMLER-CHRYSLER KNOWS PART IS FAILING IN NEONS BUT DECLINED TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIR. DEALERSHIPS ORDERED PART 7 DAYS AGO. STILL HAS NOT ARRIVED AND I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION.

NHTSA complaint #10098689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Santa FE, NM

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAD BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THE FIRDT TIME WAS AT APROXMITLY 40,000 MILES AND NOW A SECOND TIME AT 85000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10068816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 122,000 miles Falls OF Rough, KY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

IN HEAVY RAIN THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO STEER, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE 02 SENSOR, AND NOW THE COOLING FANS DON`T WORK I HAVE ALSO NOTICED A MUSTY SMELL WHEN I TURN ON THE AIR COND. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE EGR VALVE IT IS JUST ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER THAT KEEPS GOING WRONG WITH THIS CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10068910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Berkey, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MAJOR OIL LEAK FROM HEAD GASKET WHICH WAS REPLACED. CRACKED MANIFOLD REPLACED. BLOWER MOTOR TO HEATER WENT OUT AND WAS REPLACED. IGNITION COIL REPLACED. ALSO TIRES, BRAKES, STRUTS, BATTERY. WHEN I FIRST LEASED THE CAR I HAD TO GET NEW TIRES AS THERE WERE PLUGS IN TWO OF THE TIRES AND THEY BLEW OUT. WHEN I LEASED THE CAR IT WAS 2 YEARS OLD AND PREVIOUSLY LEASED. I HAD TO HAVE AN ENGINE MOUNT REPLACED THAT WAS MISSING, LEFT TURN SIGNAL DIDN'T WORK AND THAT WAS REPLACED. ALSO, PAINT ON HOOD IS BUBBLING AND IS STARTING TO PEEL ON RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE PANEL BEHIND REAR WINDOW. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOESN'T ROLL UP TIGHT AND AIR BLOWS IN AND IT WHISTLES. ALSO LINES ON WINDOWS ON PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE FROM ROLLING IT UP AND DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10070482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 82,000 miles Coon Rapids, MN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

1997 PLYMOUTH NEON HEADGASKET FAILURE. THIS PROBLEM IS A KNOWN DESIGN PROBLEM OF THE ORIGINAL GASKET.

NHTSA complaint #10055175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Shelby Township, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAK.

NHTSA complaint #10049980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles Charlotte, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A N ENGINE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO CONTACT NHTSA TO URGE THEM TO ISSUE A RECALL OE ENGINE HEAD GASKET.

NHTSA complaint #10048297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,000 miles Gaithersburg, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE BURNS OIL PREMATURELY. DEALER STATES ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10046292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Sebring, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONSUMER BOUGHT NEON NEW IN 1997. RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THERE WAS AN ENGINE HEAD GASKET OIL LEAK, AND WOULD COST $450 TO FIX IT. CONSUMER THOUGHT DEALER SHOULD HAVE TOLD HIM ABOUT THE LEAK WHILE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SINCE HE ALWAYS HAD THE OIL CHANGED THERE. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE WAS LEAKING 1 QUART PER DAY. CONSUMER TALKED TO MECHANICS, WHO INDICATED THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE HAD A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY ALREADY HAVE REPLACED MANY OF THE SAME VEHICLES FOR THE SAME LEAKING PROBLEM AFTER WARRANTY RAN OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10042914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stone Mountain, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT AXLE BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE HEADS GASKET WAS ALSO REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE THEY BLEW AND WERE LEAKING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10040617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bolingbrook, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

68000 MILES. BLOWN HEAD GASKET. CAR IS ON 2ND HEAD GASKET ALREADY. THIS'LL BE THE 3RD. MAJOR OIL & COOLANT LEAKAGE. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE WITH NUMEROUS NEON OWNERS FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR. PLEASE COMPEL CHRYSLER TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10037534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,108 miles Lititz, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN OIL LEAK AT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR BEGINNING AT 35,108 MILES. THE LEAK CONTINUED TO 05/30/03, WITH NUMEROUS REPAIR ATTEMPTS BY THE DEALER. CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE EGR VALVE IS CAUSE OF PROBLEM.*AK THE EGR VALVA CAN NOT WITHSTAND THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION HEAT IN AN ILLUMINUM BLOCK ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10026956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,999 miles Skokie, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I HAVE EXPERIENCED A NUMBER OF MECHANICAL FAILURES TO MY 1997 PLYMOUTH NEON WHICH I PURCHASED TWO YEARS AGO. ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR BEGAN HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS; RADIO STOPPED WORKING, CLOCK DISPLAY WOULD BLACKOUT. THE MOST RECENT WAS EXPERIENCING A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AT THE TIME THE CAR WAS IN OPERATION. I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO A SAFE STOP. HOWEVER, HAD THE GASKET BLOWN WHEN I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY JUST MINUTES BEFORE THEN, THE SCENE MAY HAVE BEEN MORE SERIOUS. I DISCOVERED OIL IN MY ANTIFREEZE. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE RESEARCH AND LOCATED A WEBSITE THAT INFORMED CONSUMERS OF MANUFACTURE DEFECTS THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED ON THE NEONS FROM THE 1995 TO 1998. A NUMBER OF COMPLAINS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF CHRYSLER CORPORATION BY OTHER CONSUMERS. HOWEVER, THEY DO NOT SEE IT AS A PROBLEM. I HAVE NOTIFIED CHANNEL 5 TARGET INVESTIGATION NEWS TEAM IN CHICAGO, IL AND THEY ARE INVESTIGATING THESE PROBLEMS AS WELL. TARGET 5 INVESTIGATION MADE ME AWARE OF A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAIN THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION AND I THINK THESE MANUFACTURER DEFECTS WARRANT YOUR INVESTIGATION AS WELL, HOPEFULLY, PROMPTING A NATIONAL RECALL. REPAIRING A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND POSSIBLY A CRACKED SEAL ON THE ENGINE, IS A VERY COSTLY PROCEDURE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN YOUR FINDINGS.

NHTSA complaint #10023631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 127,500 miles Paulsboro, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

HEAD GASKET FAILURE, REVERSE LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY, WINDOW SEALS AND SEALS TO THE TRUNK ARE FALLING OFF, THE TRUNK IS TAKING IN WATER WHICH IS DRAINING INTO THE VEHICLE'S REAR FLOOR. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10023340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mahtomedi, MN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

1997 PLYMOUTH NEON WITH 84,000 MILES SPRAYING OIL ONTO EXHAUST. COULD CAUSE A FIRE AND HAVE SMELLED OIL BURNING AND SEEN SOME SMOKE.NEED TO CALL DEALER. VERY UNSAFE.

NHTSA complaint #10021328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,000 miles Huber Hieghts, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSTANT REPLACEMENT OF TIRES ON FRONT DRIVERS SIDE, EXCESSIVE WEAR, NEW TIRE ONLY LAST ABOUT 6 TO 7 MONTHS, HAVE HAD ALIGNMENT CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES. MISFIRES A LOT EVEN THOUGH I GET IT TUNED UP EVERY 3 MONTHS, EXCESSIVE OIL USAGE. DEALER GIVES ME NO GOOD ANSWERS FOR THIS. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10020988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Hinton, WV

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED BEFORE AT 25,000 MILES UNDER WARRANTY. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #10021833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Valley Center, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

BRAKES REDONE AFTER 3 YEARS, HEAD GASKET REPLACED AFTER 4 YEARS, CLEAR COAT ON PAINT ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED, MUFFLER ALMOST FELL OFF, EXHAUST DETECTED IN CABIN OF CAR, REVERSE LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, MOTOR MOUNT BROKEN, SEALS ON WINDOWS FALLING DOWN DOOR JAM. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768018

NHTSA complaint #10007436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Valley Center, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

BRAKES REDONE AFTER 3 YEARS, HEAD GASKET REPLACED AFTER 4 YEARS, CLEAR COAT ON PAINT ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED, MUFFLER ALMOST FELL OFF, EXHAUST DETECTED IN CABIN OF CAR, REVERSE LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, MOTOR MOUNT BROKEN, SEALS ON WINDOWS FALLING DOWN DOOR JAM. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768018

NHTSA complaint #10007436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles  Weybridge, VT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

97 NEON HEAD GASKET FAILURE ONCE IN 2000 AND 12/2002. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO REIMBURSE FOR SECOND REPAIR. TS

NHTSA complaint #10000302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles  Weybridge, VT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

1997 BLOWN HEAD GASKET

NHTSA complaint #10000160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbia, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

AFTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING.

NHTSA complaint #567799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Leechburg, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER NOTICED OIL SPOTS UNDER CAR, RADIATOR BLEW TWO MONTHS PRIOR, CONSUMER FEELS ITS A DEFECTED HOSE, ITS TOO SMALL AND BLOWS OUT HEADGASKET. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA complaint #8021019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orlando, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

HEAD GASKET FAILURE. OIL LEAKING ON BACK OF ENGINE. MR

NHTSA complaint #767871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moravian Falls, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER STATES HEAD GASKET BLEW 3 DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE DRIVING CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.

NHTSA complaint #8019298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Triangle, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

COOLING FAN WAS INOPERATIVE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND BOTH INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERVED UNDER A RECALL. *AK

NHTSA complaint #8012107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Natick, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL LEAK . LEAK PROGRESSED OVER A MONTH'S PERIOD AND WAS CAUSED BY A HEAD GASKET TO FAILURE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND SENT TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8010857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Methuen, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

BLOWN HEAD GASKET. IT'S A NEON, THE MANUFACTURER IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DOES NOTHING. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL!!!

NHTSA complaint #762201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Olathe, KS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE VEHICLE IS CONSISTANTLY LEAKING OIL AROUND THE HEADGASKET. EVERY THREE DAYS THE CONSUMER HAS TO ADD OIL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8008956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fredonia, WI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE DETONATION, DRIVING 55 MPH NORMAL HIGHWAY, PERFECT ROAD CONDITIONS. ENGINE BLEW UP IN A BANG, PARTS FELL OFF, GOT CAR TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING (BUT NO POWER)!! *****THE (IDIOT LIGHTS) OIL OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DIDN'T LIGHT UP BEFORE THE INCIDENT***** DODGE MECHANIC (AT SCHMIT BROS.) CLAIMS "DUE TO LACK OF OIL"... HE SAYS MOTOR "WOUND TIGHT". HOW COME ENGINE STILL RAN AFTER EXPLOSION?? THE LAST/PREVIOUS OIL CHANGE WAS ABOUT 4,000 MILES AGO. OIL LEVEL WAS FINE ON THE DAY OF THE DETONATION, EVEN AFTER ENGINE BLEW UP THERE WAS OIL GUSHING OUT ONTO HIGHWAY. REPLACED ONE DEFECTIVE (COILS) SOLENOID AND THREE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDARS DURING OWNERSHIP. CONTACT RAY AT (262) 284-3100 SCHMIT BROS. DODGE, PORT WASHINGTON FOR REPAIR DETAILS. WE TRADED THE DEFECTIVE DODGE IN FOR A USED CAR, WE LOST AROUND $6,000 IN EQUITY/FAIR VALUE. I FEEL DODGE OWES US $6,000 CASH FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS. I REALLY MEAN IT!! DODGE SHOULD PAY US. **** COULD DETONATION BE CAUSED BY: LOW GRADE GAS, THOSE FANCY ENGINE VALVES AND ANOTHER FAULTY SOLENOID??

NHTSA complaint #760696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Plymouth Neon problems

← Full 1997 Plymouth Neon report