U.S. public vehicle records

1997 Plymouth NEON problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

161 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

65,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 22 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 75 of 161 complaints (46.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	14	8.7%
Transmission and shifting	7	4.3%
Engine operation	7	4.3%
Steering behavior	5	3.1%
Electrical and battery issues	4	2.5%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Air Bags:Frontal

Unknown Or Other

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Structure

Air Bags

Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	75
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	16
Air Bags:Frontal	12
Unknown Or Other	11
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	9
Structure	5
Air Bags	4
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System	4

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 75; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 16; Air Bags:Frontal: 12; Unknown Or Other: 11; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 9; Structure: 5; Air Bags: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 4

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 139 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

1997: 12; 1998: 11; 1999: 26; 2000: 38; 2001: 25; 2002: 21; 2003: 17; 2004: 7; 2005: 3; 2006: 1

Pattern summary

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10007436 · 2002-10-02 (October 2, 2002)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007436 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10070482 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)

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 PASSE…

Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070482 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10015518 · 2003-04-09 (April 9, 2003)

THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015518 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10068910 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. 122,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068910 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10098689 · 2004-11-11 (November 11, 2004)

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. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098689 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 543730 · 1999-02-05 (February 5, 1999)

RELAY SWITCH FAILED CAUSING COOLING FANS TO QUIT RESULTING IN VEHICLE STALLING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 543730 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 525404 · 1997-11-25 (November 25, 1997)

STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT 60 MPH.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 525404 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 530468 · 1998-02-10 (February 10, 1998)

VEHICLE PULLS AND STEERING WHEEL IS NOT CENTERED AND IT MAKES A POPPING NOISE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 530468 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10023631 · 2003-06-23 (June 23, 2003)

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 RE…

Owner-reported narrative. 63,999 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023631 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

161 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

13.7%Usable mileage22 / 161 records

77.0%Valid incident date124 / 161 records

100.0%Valid filing date161 / 161 records

77.0%Ordered incident and filing dates124 / 161 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	133.3% ODI 883975 CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND LOOKED ON DASHBOARD, AND TEMERATURE LIGHT WAS RED HOT. HE PULLED OVER, AND HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. MECHANIC INDICATED A BLOWEN HEAD GASKET. THIS WAS SECOND TIME. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK Look up ODI 883975 at NHTSA ↗	8918.5% ODI 10000185 · 63,400 mi I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT MY 1995 PLYMOUTH NEON HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THE DEALER THAT I TOOK IT TO FOR REPAIRS TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRENTY, BUT THAT I COULD CONTACT CHRYSLER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THE REPAIRS. MY CAR IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND ONLY HAS 63,000 MILES ON IT. CHRYSLER HAS DECLINED TO COVER ANY OF THE COST OF PARTS AND SERVICE FOR THIS REPAIR, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEY ARE AWARE THAT HEAD GASKETS ARE A DEFECT IN THIS CAR. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT MANY NEON OWNERS ARE FIGHTING THIS SAME B… Look up ODI 10000185 at NHTSA ↗	11336.7% ODI 10007542 HEAD GASKET FAILED. PH Look up ODI 10007542 at NHTSA ↗	7546.6% ODI 10007436 · 35,000 mi 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 ARTEMIS768018 Look up ODI 10007436 at NHTSA ↗	6438.3% ODI 10006362 · 24,400 mi PURCHASED CAR 5/2000 WITH 10,000 MILES. OIL LEAK ON GARAGE FLOOR, TOOK TO MECHANIC WHO SAID CAR HAD BLOWN HEAD GASKET & THESE CARS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALER CONTACTED, WHO REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT IS ONLY 1 MONTH PAST THE 3 YR DATE & WELL UNDER THE 36,000 MILES. THINK MFG. SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR QUALITY ISSUE. FOUND SEVERAL REPORTS OF SAME PROBLEM ON YOUR WEBSITE. NEED HELP. SINGLE PARENT & NO MONEY TO REPAIR AT MY EXPENSE. MR ** DIMS II IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/2002 CUT-OVER ARTEMIS**… Look up ODI 10006362 at NHTSA ↗	1625.8% ODI 10011268 · 52,000 mi THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB A MAJOR OIL LEAK OCCURRED AT 52K MILES, DID NOT RUN PROPERLY, AND MADE NOISE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT THE 3 PLY HEAD GASKET SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN PLACED IN THE VEHICLE FROM THE BEGINNING. SCC Look up ODI 10011268 at NHTSA ↗	64.3% ODI 10000425 · 5 mi WE HAVE A 2000 PLYMOUTH NEON AND HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN NUMEROUS TIMES TO DEALERS IN DIFFERENT STATES FOR STALLING. HAPPENS MOST OFTEN WHEN COMING TO A STOP, IT IS INTERMITTENT AND THEY CAN NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I AM AFRAID THAT ONE DAY IT IS GOING TO GET ONE OF US KILLED. IT HAS STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS, ON ON-RAMPS, AND OTHER PLACES AS WELL. Look up ODI 10000425 at NHTSA ↗	24.1% ODI 10019562 ON 4/21/2003 THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER PUT OIL IN THE VEHICLE WHICH LEAKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THERE WAS A NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB Look up ODI 10019562 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	367.5% ODI 510407 VEHICLE IDLES HIGH. Look up ODI 510407 at NHTSA ↗	4414.3% ODI 10014133 · 70,000 mi HEAD GASKET ON 1996 NEON FAILED CAUSING CAR TO STOP IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. LUCKILY, NO INJURIES RESULTED FROM THIS FAILURE. DESPITE WIDESPREAD REPORTS OF FREQUENTLY FAILING HEAD GASKETS IN 1995-97 PLYMOUTH AND DODGE NEONS WITH LOW MILEAGE, CHRYSLER REFUSES TO OFFICIALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND RARELY OFFERS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *NLM Look up ODI 10014133 at NHTSA ↗	169.9% ODI 10000160 · 60,000 mi 1997 BLOWN HEAD GASKET Look up ODI 10000160 at NHTSA ↗	159.0% ODI 10116179 · 70,150 mi HEAD GASKET FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 32,000 MILES. HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED AT A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND THE NEW HEAD GASKET FAILED AGAIN WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON THE GASKET. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NEONS AND CHRYSLER HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL. Look up ODI 10116179 at NHTSA ↗	711.3% ODI 10018398 · 73,197 mi HEAD GASKET LEAKING ON DRIVER SIDE OF CAR. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE REPAIR WOULD COST OVER $800.00, AND STATED THAT A RECALL WAS MADE BY PLYMOUTH ON MY PLYMOUTH NEON. HE SUGGESTED I CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF JACK POWELL CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH DODGE, ESCONDIDO, CA WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN SEPT 1999, AND TOLD THEM ABOUT MY HEAD GASKET OIL LEAK. THEY ASKED ME FOR MY VIN NUMBER. I WAITED 15 MINUTES FOR A WOMAN TO RETURN TO THE PHONE AND SAID THERE WAS NO RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE, THEN HUNG UP ON ME WHEN I STARTED… Look up ODI 10018398 at NHTSA ↗	53.5% ODI 555984 WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD LOUD NOISE AND REALIZED ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING, ENGINE FAILED, ENGINE LIGHT GAVE NO WARNING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. *SLC Look up ODI 555984 at NHTSA ↗	12.0% ODI 8018079 WHEN BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS, RESULTING IN AN IMPACT IN REVERSE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATED PROBLEM. BOTH DEALERSHIP AND INSURANCE COMPANY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE.AK CONSUMER STATES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START.JB Look up ODI 8018079 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Frontal	133.3% ODI 984794 BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 45 MPH. *AK Look up ODI 984794 at NHTSA ↗	438.9% ODI 531399 FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHEN VEHICLE HIT A CURB AT 3 MPH. Look up ODI 531399 at NHTSA ↗	227.1% ODI 10060700 · 87,418 mi FRONT AIRBAG FAILED TO FUNCTION IN ACCIDENT WITH SEVERE DAMAGE TO BUMPER AND HOOD.*AK Look up ODI 10060700 at NHTSA ↗	127.5% ODI 10038106 · 60,000 mi WHILE REVERSING BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED PREMATURELY. DRIVER SUSTAINED LIGHT BRUISES AND EYE IRRITATION FROM THE CONTENTS OF THE AIR BAGS.*AK Look up ODI 10038106 at NHTSA ↗	148.4% ODI 10056162 AIRBAG TO DEPLOY Look up ODI 10056162 at NHTSA ↗	69.7% ODI 10175311 · 98,700 mi AIR BAG FAILURE. STRUCK A DEER IN FRONT OF CAR. FRONT BUMPER, GRILL, HOOD, DRIVER SIDE FRONT FENDER, HEADLIGHT AND WINDSHIELD WERE DAMAGED QUITE SEVERELY. DAMAGE IS APPROXIMATELY $4000. SPEED WAS 45 MPH. DEER WAS LARGE BUCK, 12 POINTS. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *JB Look up ODI 10175311 at NHTSA ↗	139.2% ODI 10032054 · 59,214 mi THE CONSUMER'S CHILDREN WERE DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK HEAD-ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED . THERE WERE THREE INJURIES. AK PH *JB Look up ODI 10032054 at NHTSA ↗	816.3% ODI 10015429 THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER MOTORIST, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB Look up ODI 10015429 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	245.0% ODI 10008838 · 80,000 mi CONTACTED CHRYSLER BECAUSE ONE YEAR EARLIER THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD IT WAS FIXED IN MY BUILD. I GUESS THEY ARE WRONG. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. TS DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS*761148 Look up ODI 10008838 at NHTSA ↗	206.5% ODI 10016860 MY NEON HAS A PROBLEM WITH PAINT PEELING. LARGE SPOTS OF PAINT COME OFF ALL OVER THE VEHICLE, BUT PRIMARILY ON THE BACK AND ON THE ROOF. I CAN'T EVEN WASH THE CAR, BECAUSE EACH TIME I DO MORE PATCHES OF PAINT COME OFF. I HAVE NOTICED THIS SAME PROBLEM ON EVERY NEON THAT IS THE PURPLISH (PERIWINKLE) COLOR I HAVE SEEN. IS THERE SOME KIND OF PAINT DEFECT WITH THIS PARTICULAR COLOR. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE PAINT WAS ONLY UNDER WARRENTY FOR 12 MONTHS, AND SINCE IT WAS A 1996 AND I WASN'T THE ORIGINAL OWNER THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO. I RE… Look up ODI 10016860 at NHTSA ↗	116.8% ODI 10002670 PAINT IS PEELING OFF CAR, ON DOORS AND TRUNK. Look up ODI 10002670 at NHTSA ↗	53.0% ODI 10000834 LEAKING OIL OUT OF REAR SEALS. Look up ODI 10000834 at NHTSA ↗	69.7% ODI 10070013 · 52,000 mi I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A 60,000 MILE CHECK-UP AND WAS ASTOUNDED TO LEARN THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING AT ONLY 57,000. I COULD NOT AFFORD THE REPAIR AT THIS TIME AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT NOTHING WAS LEAKING THAT WOULD HURT THE ENGINE, BUT IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF SOON. IN ALL THE YEARS I'VE HAD A CAR I'VE NEVER HAD A LEAKING HEAD GASKET AND AT 57,000, TOO. MY LAST CAR, ALSO A PLYMOUTH, HAD OVER 127,000 MILES ON IT AND I NEVER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. I DO NOT MISUSE MY VEHICLE, I HAVE THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3 TO 6,000 MILES AND DO … Look up ODI 10070013 at NHTSA ↗	75.0% ODI 10069279 · 82,000 mi WATER LEAKAGE IN TRUNK AREA, AND REAR OF THE CAR FLOOR BOARDS, SATURATED. Look up ODI 10069279 at NHTSA ↗	12.0% ODI 10045964 MY VECHILE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THE 20 TIMES. MOST OF THE PARTS WHERE REPAIRED MORE THEN THREE TIME. RECENTLY MY CAR FAILED CHECK. I WANT OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE THIS CAR IS UNSAFE IT BREAKS EVERY THREE WEEKS TO EVERY THREE TO FOUR MONTHS. *AK Look up ODI 10045964 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	296.0% ODI 484361 AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM OVERHEATS/NOISY, PROBLEM CONTINUES AFTER SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS. *SD Look up ODI 484361 at NHTSA ↗	134.2% ODI 524350 BRAKES FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS, ON ONE OCCASION ACCIDENT OCCURRED, CAUSING INJURIES. Look up ODI 524350 at NHTSA ↗	21.2% ODI 543730 RELAY SWITCH FAILED CAUSING COOLING FANS TO QUIT RESULTING IN VEHICLE STALLING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. Look up ODI 543730 at NHTSA ↗	42.4% ODI 758468 ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS WE TOOK VEHICAL TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD EVERYTHING IS FINE JUST REPLACE YOUR BRAKES. AFTER CONSTENTLY BEING SENT AWAY BY THE DEALER, WE EVENTUALLY TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS: BLOWN HEAD GASKET, REPLACE THE BRAKES (AGAIN), CALIPERS DRIFTING TO ONE SIDE, ETC. MY WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED, BUT I THINK IT SHOULD STILL BE HONORED SINCE THE PROBLEMS COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED A LONG TIME AGO.*AK Look up ODI 758468 at NHTSA ↗	34.8% ODI 832044 THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. UPN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE SKIDDED, WENT UP ON TWO WHEELS, AND SPUN OVER 4 LANES, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO RUN INTO A CONCRETE DIVIDER. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER WAS HOSPITALIZED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK Look up ODI 832044 at NHTSA ↗	75.0% ODI 563099 CONSUMER STATES HE IS EXPERIENCING BRAKE PROBLEMS.*JB Look up ODI 563099 at NHTSA ↗	12.0% ODI 8003317 WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED PEDAL WAS NORMAL; HOWEVER, THERE WAS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION. VEHICLE IS AT DEALERSHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK Look up ODI 8003317 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	296.0% ODI 483899 ANTI-LOCK BRAKES CONTROLLER MODULE FAULTY, PRIOR TO RECALL, CAUSING ABS LIGHT TO COME ON. (94V026000) *DSH Look up ODI 483899 at NHTSA ↗	113.6% ODI 10100675 · 45,000 mi OIL LEAKS, DASHBOARD FAILURE, NOISE IN BRAKES, WIND NOISE IN PASSENGERS DOOR. HAVE REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKET TWICE, REPLACED OIL SENDIND UNIT,CAM SENSOR WAS REPLACED NOW I HAVE A BIG OIL LEAK, CAR ONLY HAS 45000 MILES ON IT. *AK Look up ODI 10100675 at NHTSA ↗	42.5% ODI 722968 THIS CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES FOR PROBLEMS BRAKE PROBLEMS, OIL LEAK, WINDOW LEAKING WITCH THEY SAY THERE NOT RESPONCIBLE FOR . I AM FRIGHTEND BY THE OIL LEAK TO TO POTENCHIAL FIRE HAZERD. I FEAL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. *AK Look up ODI 722968 at NHTSA ↗	31.8% ODI 749709 THIS CAR WAS OWNED BY MY SISTER, WHO DIED AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT. PLEASE CONTACT ME AS I WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION OF THIS CAR. *AK Look up ODI 749709 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	32.1% ODI 890484 WHILE DRIVING 25MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT, FORCING CONSUMER TO BRAKE. ONCE CONSUMER TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, ENGINE REVVED, AND SHOT ACROSS ROAD TO LEFT. CONSUMER WANTED TO AVOID HITTING OTHER VEHICLES, HIT EMBANKMENT, AND ROLLED ONCE. CONSUMER WAS NOT INJURED. AK SLC Look up ODI 890484 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	142.9% ODI 501128 TAIL PIPE FAILED. Look up ODI 501128 at NHTSA ↗	123.9% ODI 10024747 CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE IS VERY SLOW, NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER STATED THERE IS PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY SO SHE HAD TO PAY, VEHICLE HAS ONLY 64000 MILES.*AK Look up ODI 10024747 at NHTSA ↗	95.6% ODI 10015518 THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. *NLM Look up ODI 10015518 at NHTSA ↗	63.6% ODI 10008546 · 61,550 mi WHEN BRAKE IS PUSHED THE TURN LIGHTS WOULD LIGHT UP AND BRAKE LIGHTS WOULDN'T BRIGHTEN. THIS WAS (08/13/01). IN 10/10/01 WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FORWARD IN REVERSE AND NEUTRAL, DIDN'T HAVE A REVERSE, TRANSMISSION REPLACED. IN 03/12/02, FOUND OIL IN THE ANTIFREEZE RESERVE AND RADIATOR, REPLACED ENGINE DUE TO HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. IN 04/15/02, TRANSMISSION DOING THE SAME THING BACK ON 10/10/01 , TRANSMISSION IS REPLACED AGAIN. IN 10/31/02, TRANSMISSION REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME, DUE TO SHIFTING HARD, AND SAME PROBLEM AS 10/10/01 AND 04/18/02. ALSO, A… Look up ODI 10008546 at NHTSA ↗	11.6% ODI 10005763 · 16,000 mi I WAS DRIVING & I HEARD A "CLUNK" & A "BOOM" & THEN THE CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF. AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE CAR, I REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT - THERE'S A HOLE IN THE GEAR BOX WHERE THE TRANSMISSION SHOT THE PARK GEAR RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX - HE SAID IT HAD TO BE A DEFECT. [THERE'S ONLY 16,000 MILES ON THE CAR] I CALLED CHRYSLER REGARDING THIS [& WAS TREATED EXTREMELY RUDELY BY THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, MIGHT I ADD.] & THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. THEY TO… Look up ODI 10005763 at NHTSA ↗	53.5% ODI 10015542 THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 42,000 MILES. *NLM Look up ODI 10015542 at NHTSA ↗	12.0% ODI 10242269 · 60,000 mi BROKEN TIE ROD ENDS BOTH SIDES, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, HEAD GASKET FAILURE, READ DOOR DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT CLOSE AT ALL, TRUNK WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY, BRAKES WEAR EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS, HIGH RATE OF OIL BURN OFF. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT. *TR Look up ODI 10242269 at NHTSA ↗
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	306.2% ODI 510873 STEERING COLUMN FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. Look up ODI 510873 at NHTSA ↗	51.6% ODI 535993 BRAKES SQUEAK. Look up ODI 535993 at NHTSA ↗	21.2% ODI 548098 STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, ONE INCIDENT WHILE DRIVING LED TO VEHICLE COLLISION DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL, VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS RESULTED IN BURNS TO DRIVER (CHEST,ARMS). MJS Look up ODI 548098 at NHTSA ↗	21.2% ODI 834844 WHEN TURNING CORNERS STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP, CANNOT MOVE STEERING WHEEL FOR AT LEAST 30 SECONDS, CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL,WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE DEFECT. *AK Look up ODI 834844 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	10.7% ODI 785104 THE VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH HAVE CAUSED NEAR ACCIDENTS, CONSUMER HAS TRIED TO HAVE VEHICLE BOUGHT BACK DUE TO LEMON LAW UNSUCCESSFULLY. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER) *MJS Look up ODI 785104 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	30,000–71,000 mi	63,999 mi	7	ODI 10007436 · 35,000 mi 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 ARTEMIS768018 Look up ODI 10007436 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10020988 · 5,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10020988 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10021833 · 25,000 mi HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED BEFORE AT 25,000 MILES UNDER WARRANTY. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.AK Look up ODI 10021833 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Too few reports for a range	60,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10000160 · 60,000 mi 1997 BLOWN HEAD GASKET Look up ODI 10000160 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10042914 · 25,000 mi 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 AF… Look up ODI 10042914 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10048297 · 97,000 mi 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.*AK Look up ODI 10048297 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Frontal	Too few reports for a range	85,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10038106 · 60,000 mi WHILE REVERSING BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED PREMATURELY. DRIVER SUSTAINED LIGHT BRUISES AND EYE IRRITATION FROM THE CONTENTS OF THE AIR BAGS.AK Look up ODI 10038106 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10149275 · 110,000 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN A DRIVE-THRU, BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS OCCURRED, BUT STATED NOTHING WAS HIT OR RUN OVER. BOTH FRONT WINDOWS SHATTERED AND THE OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC. Look up ODI 10149275 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	Too few reports for a range	65,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10070482 · 65,000 mi 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 PASSE… Look up ODI 10070482 at NHTSA ↗
Structure	Too few reports for a range	67,650 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10007436 · 35,000 mi 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 ARTEMIS768018 Look up ODI 10007436 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10023340 · 127,500 mi 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 Look up ODI 10023340 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10140392 · 67,650 mi I BOUGHT THIS 1997 PLYMOUTH NEON ON 8/19/2005 USED WITH 66000 MILES IT SEEMED LIKE A SOLID VEHICLE BUT IN SEPT/OCT WE HAD QUITE A BIT OF RAIN AND I NOTICED PUDDLES IN MY BACK SEAT AREA ON THE FLOOR BOTH SIDES,I CHECKED AROUND THE CAR FOR OPEN WINDOWS ECT.....THERE WAS NOTHING I CHECKED THE TRUNK AND IT SEEMED DAMP BUT NOTHING AS TO MAKE THE REAR FLOOR WET LIKE IT WAS. I WAS JUST WONDERING IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL?I KNOW IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE NOW BUT WHAT IF THIS WAS A PROBLEM TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND NOW WITH ME IT COULD… Look up ODI 10140392 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System	Too few reports for a range	78,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10007436 · 35,000 mi 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 ARTEMIS768018 Look up ODI 10007436 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10068910 · 122,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10068910 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2000: 74 complaints · 2001: 31 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2000	24	61	74
2001	17	22	31

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2000	113	17	11
2001	41	6	2

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Air Bags:Frontal	Unknown Or Other	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Structure	Air Bags	Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	—	0	1 ODI 867847 CONSUMER HAS A BRAKE PROBLEM. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS NOISE. ALSO, ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAD AN OIL LEAK, AND SHE TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE. THEN, SHE TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC REPLACED HEAD GASKET. BRAKE DRUM WAS PITTED, AND MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. FINALLY, PASSENGER'S AIRBAG PANEL WAS BULGING ON THE DASHBOARD. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON THE AIRBAG MODULAR. *AK Look up ODI 867847 at NHTSA ↗	4 ODI 717379 PREVIOUS TO EXPERIENCING HEAD GASKET FAILURE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FINE. AT APPROXIMATELY 6 A.M., I WAS COMMUTING TO WORK AT A SPEED OF 45 M.P.H. WHEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE ENGINE ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE. THE OIL LIGHT STAYED ON FOR ABOUT FIVE SECONDS AND THEN WENT OFF. THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN OK UNTIL I ARRIVED AT WORK. AFTER WORK, I CHECKED THE OIL AND FOUND THE DIPSTICK TO BE DRY. I ADDED OIL TO THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL. I HAD A MECHANIC CHECK THE VEHICLE AND HE DISCOVERED THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THIS MECHANIC - AS WEL… Look up ODI 717379 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 723903 ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN GOING OUT SINCE 1/00, AND NOW SEVERE OIL LEAKS , IVE PUT IN 5 QUARTS OF OIL IN THE LAST 3 DAYS! (THIS SEEMS TO BE A REOCCURRING PROBLEM IN NEARLY ALL 97 NEONS AS, IN MY OPINION, THE MANUFACTURER ADMITS THROUGH AT LEAST TWO SERVICE BULLETINS) MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY AND MY OIL LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF REGARDLESS OF OIL LEVEL IN ENGINE. I FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS HEAD GASKET REPAIR AND STRONGLT URGE YOU TO FORCE THEM INTO A RECALL SINCE THEY OBVIOUSLY ARE AWARE OF THE PROB… Look up ODI 723903 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 860308 WHEN DRIVING NOTICED THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. THEN, ENGINE WOULD MISFIRE EACH TIME. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. PROBLEM HAS NOT BE RESOLVED. Look up ODI 860308 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 714669 VEHICLE NOT 2 YRS OLD THAT HAS TRANSMISSON PROBLEMS TREND IN DEFECTIVE NEONS? WARRANTY IS OBSELTE. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY! HAS HAD MAINTENANCE CHECKS. TOOK IT TO ALLEY'S CHRY/PLY DEALER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM. VERY ANGARY THAT THE VEHICLE IS BARELY 2 YRS OLD TO HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS I CAN'T AFFORD TO SHELL OUT $1285 FOR TRANSMISSION AND $ 450 FOR ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK Look up ODI 714669 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10007436 · 35,000 mi 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 ARTEMIS768018 Look up ODI 10007436 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10023340 · 127,500 mi 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 Look up ODI 10023340 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 10007436 · 35,000 mi 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 ARTEMIS768018 Look up ODI 10007436 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 717665 OIL LIGHT WENT ON, PUT SEVERAL QUARTS OF OIL IN THROUGHOUT WEEK BUT DIP STICK ALWAYS READ EMPTY, OIL LIGHT STAYED ON, TOOK TO LUBE SHOP WHERE THEY IDENTIFIED A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. TOOK TO AUTHORIZED DEALER/REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THEY AT FIRST WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY, BUT AFTER INSPECTION THEY REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET, AS WELL AS A BROKEN CAM VALVE, FAULTY THERMOSTAT, AND SOME EXHAUST PARTS, ALL OF WHICH WERE DEFECTIVE/BROKEN UNBEKNOWNST TO ME. PLYMOUTH COVERED ALL REPAIR EXPENSES THEN. *AK Look up ODI 717665 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0	—	0	1 ODI 846045 OIL LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER PULLED OVER . NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK Look up ODI 846045 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 522352 VEHICLE TIRES CONTINUE TO LOOSE AIR. GOODYEAR EAGLE ( P185/65R14). Look up ODI 522352 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 522352 VEHICLE TIRES CONTINUE TO LOOSE AIR. GOODYEAR EAGLE ( P185/65R14). Look up ODI 522352 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Air Bags:Frontal	1 ODI 867847 CONSUMER HAS A BRAKE PROBLEM. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS NOISE. ALSO, ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAD AN OIL LEAK, AND SHE TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE. THEN, SHE TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC REPLACED HEAD GASKET. BRAKE DRUM WAS PITTED, AND MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. FINALLY, PASSENGER'S AIRBAG PANEL WAS BULGING ON THE DASHBOARD. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON THE AIRBAG MODULAR. *AK Look up ODI 867847 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Unknown Or Other	4 ODI 717379 PREVIOUS TO EXPERIENCING HEAD GASKET FAILURE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FINE. AT APPROXIMATELY 6 A.M., I WAS COMMUTING TO WORK AT A SPEED OF 45 M.P.H. WHEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE ENGINE ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE. THE OIL LIGHT STAYED ON FOR ABOUT FIVE SECONDS AND THEN WENT OFF. THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN OK UNTIL I ARRIVED AT WORK. AFTER WORK, I CHECKED THE OIL AND FOUND THE DIPSTICK TO BE DRY. I ADDED OIL TO THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL. I HAD A MECHANIC CHECK THE VEHICLE AND HE DISCOVERED THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THIS MECHANIC - AS WEL… Look up ODI 717379 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 723903 ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN GOING OUT SINCE 1/00, AND NOW SEVERE OIL LEAKS , IVE PUT IN 5 QUARTS OF OIL IN THE LAST 3 DAYS! (THIS SEEMS TO BE A REOCCURRING PROBLEM IN NEARLY ALL 97 NEONS AS, IN MY OPINION, THE MANUFACTURER ADMITS THROUGH AT LEAST TWO SERVICE BULLETINS) MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY AND MY OIL LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF REGARDLESS OF OIL LEVEL IN ENGINE. I FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS HEAD GASKET REPAIR AND STRONGLT URGE YOU TO FORCE THEM INTO A RECALL SINCE THEY OBVIOUSLY ARE AWARE OF THE PROB… Look up ODI 723903 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 860308 WHEN DRIVING NOTICED THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. THEN, ENGINE WOULD MISFIRE EACH TIME. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. PROBLEM HAS NOT BE RESOLVED. Look up ODI 860308 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 846045 OIL LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER PULLED OVER . NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK Look up ODI 846045 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	1 ODI 714669 VEHICLE NOT 2 YRS OLD THAT HAS TRANSMISSON PROBLEMS TREND IN DEFECTIVE NEONS? WARRANTY IS OBSELTE. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY! HAS HAD MAINTENANCE CHECKS. TOOK IT TO ALLEY'S CHRY/PLY DEALER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM. VERY ANGARY THAT THE VEHICLE IS BARELY 2 YRS OLD TO HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS I CAN'T AFFORD TO SHELL OUT $1285 FOR TRANSMISSION AND $ 450 FOR ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK Look up ODI 714669 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 522352 VEHICLE TIRES CONTINUE TO LOOSE AIR. GOODYEAR EAGLE ( P185/65R14). Look up ODI 522352 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	1 ODI 522352 VEHICLE TIRES CONTINUE TO LOOSE AIR. GOODYEAR EAGLE ( P185/65R14). Look up ODI 522352 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 543730 RELAY SWITCH FAILED CAUSING COOLING FANS TO QUIT RESULTING IN VEHICLE STALLING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. Look up ODI 543730 at NHTSA ↗	0
Structure	2 ODI 10007436 · 35,000 mi 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 ARTEMIS768018 Look up ODI 10007436 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10023340 · 127,500 mi 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 Look up ODI 10023340 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 522352 VEHICLE TIRES CONTINUE TO LOOSE AIR. GOODYEAR EAGLE ( P185/65R14). Look up ODI 522352 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 522352 VEHICLE TIRES CONTINUE TO LOOSE AIR. GOODYEAR EAGLE ( P185/65R14). Look up ODI 522352 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	1 ODI 10007436 · 35,000 mi 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 ARTEMIS768018 Look up ODI 10007436 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 543730 RELAY SWITCH FAILED CAUSING COOLING FANS TO QUIT RESULTING IN VEHICLE STALLING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. Look up ODI 543730 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System	2 ODI 10007436 · 35,000 mi 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 ARTEMIS768018 Look up ODI 10007436 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 717665 OIL LIGHT WENT ON, PUT SEVERAL QUARTS OF OIL IN THROUGHOUT WEEK BUT DIP STICK ALWAYS READ EMPTY, OIL LIGHT STAYED ON, TOOK TO LUBE SHOP WHERE THEY IDENTIFIED A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. TOOK TO AUTHORIZED DEALER/REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THEY AT FIRST WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY, BUT AFTER INSPECTION THEY REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET, AS WELL AS A BROKEN CAM VALVE, FAULTY THERMOSTAT, AND SOME EXHAUST PARTS, ALL OF WHICH WERE DEFECTIVE/BROKEN UNBEKNOWNST TO ME. PLYMOUTH COVERED ALL REPAIR EXPENSES THEN. *AK Look up ODI 717665 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10007436 · 35,000 mi 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 ARTEMIS768018 Look up ODI 10007436 at NHTSA ↗	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

5 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

7 mentions · 4.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 67,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10098689 · 67,000 mi

Look up ODI 10098689 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 543730

RELAY SWITCH FAILED CAUSING COOLING FANS TO QUIT RESULTING IN VEHICLE STALLING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

Look up ODI 543730 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 733427

HEAD GASKET BLEW, OIL ALL OVER, ,AND MACHINE STALLED ON HWY THE MECHANIC SAYS, MOTOR IS DESTROYED. I HAVE NO IDEA AS TO HOW AN DWHY THIS HAPPENED, I HAVE SENT EMAIL TO CHRYSLER NO REPLY SO FAR I THINK CAR STALLING ON HWY COULD BE DANGEROUS, ACCIDENT INJURY DEATH ETC NO PERSONAL HARM MY SISTER 'S MERCURY HAD SAME PROBLEM AND CAR WAS RECALLED BY DEALER LATER ON- AFTER WE MADE ALL REPAIRS- DO YOU HAVE ANY NOTICES FROM COMPANY OR OTHER OWNERS IN THIS REGARD? IF THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED IN TO AS SAFETY PROBLEM. THANK YOU.

Look up ODI 733427 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

2 mentions · 1.2% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 744419

CAR HAVING A OILY SMELL WHEN STOPPING. CAR HAVE BEEN LEAKING FOR AWHILE NOW. WENT TO A AUTO SHOP TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS IT WAS A OIL LEAK. HE THOUGHT HE FIX IT THE PROBLEM. THE LEAKING SLOW DOWN BUT I CONTINUE TO PUT OIL IN MY CAR TWICE A WEEK!!!!! NOW THE CAR IS STARTING TO DRAG A LITTLE WHEN YOU PUT GAS TO IT ALSO JERK OR BUMP WHEN IT TRYING TO PICK UP SPEED. THE AUTO SHOP ALSO SAY THAT THERE WAY TO MANY NEON COMING TO HIS SHOP LATELY WITH A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM AND HE WOULDNT TAKE MY CAR. HE SAID GO TO THE DEALER THEY SHOULD HANDLE THIS…

Look up ODI 744419 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 875857

VEHICLE WOULD TAKE 15-20 SECONDS TO GO IN REVERSE, AND THEN THERE WAS A BIG LOUD BANG/JERK IN REAR. ALSO, SLIPPED INTO 3RD GEAR. AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE COULD EXPLAIN WHY, BUT THAT HAPPENED IN ALL CHRYSLER CARS. *AK

Look up ODI 875857 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

2 mentions · 1.2% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 723903

ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN GOING OUT SINCE 1/00, AND NOW SEVERE OIL LEAKS , IVE PUT IN 5 QUARTS OF OIL IN THE LAST 3 DAYS! (THIS SEEMS TO BE A REOCCURRING PROBLEM IN NEARLY ALL 97 NEONS AS, IN MY OPINION, THE MANUFACTURER ADMITS THROUGH AT LEAST TWO SERVICE BULLETINS) MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY AND MY OIL LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF REGARDLESS OF OIL LEVEL IN ENGINE. I FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS HEAD GASKET REPAIR AND STRONGLT URGE YOU TO FORCE THEM INTO A RECALL SINCE THEY OBVIOUSLY ARE AWARE OF THE PROB…

Look up ODI 723903 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 760696

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 …

Look up ODI 760696 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Oil consumption or dilution

1 mentions · 0.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 77,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10046292 · 77,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10046292 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(oil consumption|burn\w* oil|consum\w* oil|oil dilution|gas(?:oline)? in (?:the )?oil)\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 0.6% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 548098

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, ONE INCIDENT WHILE DRIVING LED TO VEHICLE COLLISION DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL, VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS RESULTED IN BURNS TO DRIVER (CHEST,ARMS). MJS

Look up ODI 548098 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b