1996 Plymouth Neon Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 45about this part
- Share
- 15%of 308 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,200miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 45 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Plymouth Neon, 15% of the 308 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,200 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Entire instrument cluster ceases to function. Speedometer goes to zero, tachometer goes to zero, gas gauge stops, temp gauge goes to cold. This happens usually while on the highway at 70 MPH., or whatever the legal limit for a given area is. A bit disconcerting at times. After a time period, things start to work again, and then they quit again. We have owned this car since new.”
NHTSA complaint #10179211, filed 2007-01, 98,400 miles“An electrical short in the wiring harness caused the vehicle to stall. The consumer received NHTSA recall 96v026000 concerning the wiring harness failure due to an electrical short, but chrysler told the consumer that this recall did not exist. The dealer could not locate the problem but stated that the wiring in the horn needed to be replaced. The electrical short and the engine misfiring caused the vehicle to lose power and sputter after a short drive.”
NHTSA complaint #10059800, filed 2004-04, 70,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10100675, filed 2004-11, 45,000 miles“I have had non-stop problems with the car since day one. It is getting to costly to keep repairing the same problems over and over again. I am really disappointed in the help I have received from the dealership in regards to the several problems I have had with the car. No safety defect mentioned in summary.”
NHTSA complaint #727799, filed 2000-08“The dash control's(speed)only works sometimes!the frontend feels like it is coming out from under the car, and the paint is peeling off the top and the sides. I am truely disappointed. Plus I have had it worked on for the headgasket.plus gas pedal sticks.”
NHTSA complaint #736713, filed 2000-11Related recalls
- 96V026000Feb 5, 1996An engine wiring harness can short circuit due to contact with the exhaust gas recirculation tube..Covers: Plymouth Neon 1996, Dodge Neon 1996
Related service bulletins
- 10175735Apr 22, 2020Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and…
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 1996 Plymouth Neon
167 complaintsBrakes
38 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
27 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsEquipment
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Plymouth Neon
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology