1998 Plymouth Neon Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 7%of 167 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,532miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Plymouth Neon, 7% of the 167 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,532 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“These problems were found during a replacement of our third transmission. We are really upset with Plymouth/dodge auto. We had this car for only a year and it has been nothing but trouble. Like I said, 3 transmissions, 1 engine due to head gasket problems. Now, the oil pressure sending unit, vehicle speed sensor, and the rear main oil seal. ----dims 11 ivoq entry after 12/12/01 cut-over to artemis-------769336.”
NHTSA complaint #10008548, filed 2002-11, 71,514 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10008546, filed 2002-11, 61,550 miles“Chysler is informing me that there is no such recall, recall number 99v-001. My car falls within the low high VIN numbers reported to possibly have this problem and I am having numerous problems with my 1998 Plymouth NEON thatapply to this recall as well as serveral TSB.”
NHTSA complaint #10036783, filed 2003-08“The transmission problem does not seem to affect the handling of the car. The noise occurs after the car is completely warmed up, whether the car is moving or stopped and is heard when the car is in or out of drive. It is a grinding noise. The air bags did not deploy in a collision. The dealership advises that I 'just go buy a battery.' I think it is unreasonable for a car to have these problems after two years, although the mileage is high, these are not hard miles in my opinion.”
NHTSA complaint #731581, filed 2000-09“Started transmission problems june 2001. Car slips out of gear while driving! Valve head replaced. One week later stall and gear slip at stop sign. Main gasket replaced. 3 weeks later another stall and gear slip. Dealership tell me that nothing is wrong with car. Mid oct. 2001 engine became loose on freeway. Got local mechanic to install new engine mounts. Nov. 13th service mgr at barwick motors in california drove with me. Admitted that I had transmission problems and that barwick automotive would get my car working. One hour later he phoned to say that there was nothing wrong with car! …”
NHTSA complaint #754588, filed 2001-11Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Plymouth Neon
91 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Plymouth Neon
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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