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Plymouth NeonModel year report

1997 Plymouth Neon Problems

Complaints
161filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
65,000miles, 22 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
29 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 25 city / 35 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Plymouth Neon (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe engine oil leaks traced to the head gasket, frequently reported as a recurring repair that can come back after being fixed. A smaller but consistent group describes unexpected air bag deployments and, separately, transmission shifting problems at higher mileage. Many complaints date from the late 1990s and early 2000s on cars that were then relatively new.

  1. Engine cooling

    Head gasket oil leak / blown head gasket

    • 65 complaints (40%)
    • median 61,999 mi at 6.4 yrs old (10 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $597 (median of 7 quotes)
    • filed 1998–2004

    Owners describe oil leaking from the back or side of the engine, oil spots under the car, and in some cases oil mixing with coolant or the engine stalling after the gasket let go. Several report the gasket being replaced more than once, sometimes within tens of thousands of miles of the prior repair, and some say a dealer or independent shop diagnosed a leaking head gasket and quoted a repair cost. Complaints frequently mention checking the oil and finding it low. Reported across a wide mileage range, with many noted between roughly 13,000 and 85,000 miles and some repeat failures after an earlier replacement.

    What to check: Ask for service records showing whether the head gasket has been replaced and when, and check the oil level and look for oil seepage at the back of the engine and under the car after it sits.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10070482, filed 2004-01, 65,000 miles

    “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. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10023631, filed 2003-06, 63,999 miles
  2. Air bags

    Air bag deploys unexpectedly or fails to deploy

    • 10 complaints (6%)
    • median 85,000 mi at 8.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
    • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1999–2006

    Complaints describe frontal air bags firing with no impact, including one case while the car was reversing, one at a drive-through, and one shortly after the ignition was shut off; occupants report minor bruising and irritation from the bag. Other owners describe bags that did not deploy or deployed only partly in a frontal collision. One complaint notes a recall for inadvertent deployment existed but the vehicle was excluded by VIN. Reported from low mileage up to about 110,000 miles; several complaints do not state mileage.

    Recall 97V080000

    What to check: Ask whether the air bag control module recall (97V080000) was completed for this specific vehicle, and have the air bag warning lamp and any stored codes checked before purchase.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Airbags deployed unexpectedly and suddenly, resulting in minor injuries. A recall has been issued on the vehicle for inadvertent deployment of the airbags. However, this vehicle was not included due to VIN. Manufacturer has been notified.”

    NHTSA complaint #861760, filed 2000-05

    “Vehicle was involved in a direct frontal collision. Upon impact, airbags did not deploy, and seat belt did not retract, resulting in minor injuries. Vehicle was totalled.the dealer and manufacturer have been notified.”

    NHTSA complaint #860606, filed 2000-04
  3. Body and structure

    Paint peeling and clear coat failure

    • 9 complaints (6%)
    • median 50,000 mi at 5.1 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
    • filed 1999–2005

    Owners report paint lifting in large patches, sometimes during a car wash, and clear coat bubbling or peeling on the hood and other panels. Dealers are generally described as not covering the repair. Reported from around 65,000 to 92,000 miles, with some owners noting it started after several years of ownership.

    What to check: Inspect the hood, roof and upper panels in good light for bubbling, dulling or peeling clear coat, and ask whether the car has been repainted.

    An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Did not report paint promblem until 92,342 miles. Started happening at 6/15/99 71,000 miles. Can not even go throug car wash with out paint peeling off and leaving my paint all over car wash ground. No safety defect listed in summary.”

    NHTSA complaint #719229, filed 2000-02

Buying note. Check for oil leaks and head gasket service history first, confirm the air bag recall was completed for the specific vehicle, and look for water intrusion in the trunk and rear floor. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent shop is worthwhile on a car of this age.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 161 consumer complaints for the 1997 Plymouth Neon. 22 of the complaints include a mileage, and 23% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 65,000 miles. Of all complaints, 19 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 22 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 8 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (5), Tires (5), Fuel system (4), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (4), Equipment (3), Vehicle speed control (3), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Interior lighting (1), Seats (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “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, filed 2004-01, 122,000 miles

Air bags: “I just found out about this recall for the 1997 NEON's. However the biggest problem is that the paint is peeling off the entire car. I've tried several times to resolve this problem with both the dealer and the maker,to no avail. What is my recourse? Thank-you!”

NHTSA complaint #712098, filed 1999-09

Transmission and drivetrain: “I contacted chrysler daimler and was told that there are no recalls on any of the parts that have gone bad on my car, but I read the informaiton about the recalls on the NHTSA site. The same problems are wrong with my car as with the cars that have recalled parts, ie bad transmission, head gasket, and electrical. I have spent 2,200 dollars fixing this car in the past six months, and now there is a rod knocking in the engine. It does not make sense to me that other neons with the same problems have recalled parts, but mine does not. …”

NHTSA complaint #756253, filed 2001-12

Brakes: “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. **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**768018”

NHTSA complaint #10007436, filed 2002-10, 35,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

23% of the 22 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 85,000 miles.

5%0–100%10–2518%25–5041%50–7523%75–10014%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (22 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 65,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

1998200038200220042006
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Plymouth Neon. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Neon · sedan not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1997 Plymouth Neon version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Neon FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual253529$2,300
Neon FWD2.0L 4-cyl3-speed automatic223125$2,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1997 Plymouth Neon → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 8 on record; the latest 8 are shown.

Other model years of the Plymouth Neon

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20014959,0002—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200014174,5005—27Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19996252,0000—28Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199816765,5621—29Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199716165,0001—29Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199630883,0002—28Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199548185,0006—28Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Plymouth Neon model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Plymouth Neon?

Owners of this model year most often describe engine oil leaks traced to the head gasket, frequently reported as a recurring repair that can come back after being fixed. The issues reported most often: Head gasket oil leak / blown head gasket; Air bag deploys unexpectedly or fails to deploy; Paint peeling and clear coat failure.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Plymouth Neon have?

NHTSA recorded 161 consumer complaints for the 1997 Plymouth Neon as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Plymouth Neon is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 103 complaints (64% of the total), followed by air bags with 16.

Has the 1997 Plymouth Neon been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Plymouth Neon get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Plymouth Neon (Neon, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 25 city and 35 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Plymouth Neon reported?

Among the 22 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 65,000 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 85,000 miles; 23% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.