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1996 Plymouth Neon problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Plymouth Neon is engine and cooling, typically around 70,000 miles. It has 6.3 times the complaints of a typical Neon model year.

Typical year6.3x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
308
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
46
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
25-28mpg

The worst 1996 Plymouth Neon problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Plymouth Neon

Stalling 21Fire or smoke 13No deployment 8ABS 6Brake failure 6Transmission failure 6Grinding brakes 5Engine failure 5Fuel gauge 5Oil consumption 5

Recalls 2

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinderReported May 3, 1996 · 151,800 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The brake master cylinder can leak brake fluid due to a damaged double lip rear piston seal.
Risk
Brake fluid leakage can result in diminished effectiveness of one half of the split brake system. The instrument panel warning light(s) will signal system impairment prior to partial brake system loss.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear brake master cylindr piston assembly.

Recall number 96V075000 · Recall details

Electrical system: wiring: front underhoodReported February 5, 1996 · 15,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
An engine wiring harness can short circuit due to contact with the exhaust gas recirculation tube..
Risk
Shorting of the wiring harness can cause various electrical malfunctions, including engine stalling.
Remedy
Dealers will reroute the engine wiring harness properly and any wire that has been damaged will be replaced.

Recall number 96V026000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1996 Plymouth Neon

Defect investigations

Safety belt cinching latch plateOpened November 6, 2002, closed April 23, 2003

There are no injuries or fatalities associated with this alleged defect.while conducting this investigation, odi found that the subject cinches meet the load bearing requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, and that many of the reported failures were due to incorrect child safety seat installations. Additionally, the report rate is low (1.60/100k).the information available fails to establish the existence of a defect trend at this time.further allocation of agency resources to this issue is unwarranted and the preliminary evaluation is being closed.

PE02082

Underhood firesOpened February 26, 1998, closed June 23, 1998

There is no summary currently available

PE98012

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Plymouth Neon 46

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 46 bulletins for the 1996 Plymouth Neon

1996 Plymouth Neon fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD22-2430-3525-28

What 1996 Plymouth Neon owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 22, 2022 · Electrical · CA

Dbr2 not working or obd 2 not working when plug in obd reader no sign of workingness on vehicle

Filed Dec 31, 2021 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA

I was driving when the instrument cluster gauges started moving up and down like if the instrument cluster was making false contact with the connector to get a calibrated read on the speed, gasoline, temperature gauges

Filed Aug 1, 2007 · Engine · 400,000 miles · MI · fire

The car was run for 45mins at 10mph following a tractor. The last 2 miles were at 55mph. A few minutes after the vehicle was home and the engine turned off, the engine compartment caught on fire. All wiring and plastic components are a complete loss, hood is damaged, and all light units are ruined.

Filed Jan 20, 2007 · Electrical · 98,400 miles · IA

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.

Filed Jun 23, 2006 · Seat belts · 116,000 miles · OH · crash · 1 injury

Dt*: the contact stated during an accident the driver's side seat belt failed to retract. As a result of the seat belt failure injuries were sustained. While attempting to exit the vehicle, the seat belt was observed to be wrapped around the contact's legs. A police report was filed at the scene of the accident. The dealership and manufacturer have not been alerted. Updated 7/13/2006 - the consumer sustained injuries to his chest, neck and left leg.

Filed Apr 14, 2006 · Tires · 102,850 miles · MO

On 01/03/06, I purchased 4 new dayton daytona hr tires (size 185/60r14) from reeves tire in joplin, missouri for my 1996 plymouth neon. On 02/01/06, after approximately 1000 miles, the front passenger-side tire went flat while I was traveling on the interstate (approximately 70 MPH). The cause was determined to be a broken bead, with no other damage to the tire. On 04/12/06, immediately after having my tires rotated, rebalanced, and my car realigned (again at reeves tire), my drivers-side front tire detonated, again on the interstate, again at approximately 70 MPH. I had traveled, at most, 10 miles after having the work performed. After I stopped my car, I inspected the tire and found that approximately 6-8 inches of the sidewall of the tire was completely gone. There were no cords or fibers hanging from the tire. It was almost as if the side wall had been cut from the tire. The bead was still intact, but there was no rubber anywhere on it. It was just bare steel cords. This was approximately 10,000 miles after the original installation. Again, there was no other indication of damage. I am a factory-trained motorcycle technician, and I am very conscientious about maintaining my vehicles. I typically inspect the condition and tire pressure of my car tires once a week, and have never abused them or hit any road-debris, potholes, etc. The force of the tire explosion pushed the rear of the front fender into the front edge of the door and moderately dented the fender. I almost lost control of the vehicle when the second tire went out.

Filed Jan 3, 2006 · Transmission · 62,000 miles · NY

Consumer 1996 plymouth neon PCM had to be reprogrammed causing comer vehicle to fail emissions. *ts the consumer's vehicle failed state emission inspection because the vehicle's readiness codes were cleared each time the key was turned to the off position. The consumer found a tsb which stated that the PCM must be reprogrammed to remedy the condition. After repeated attempts to get the local dealer to acknowledge the problem consumer took the vehicle elsewhere where the PCM was reprogrammed at no charge.

Filed Jun 17, 2005 · Airbags · DE

On every plymouth neon in the color of blue, the paint is chipping from the hood to the trunk. Also, when it rains, the inside of the car on the floors and in the trunk gets wet and in order to get the water out, it has to be vacuumed. I believe that something should be done about this. After having to invest a lot of money in something that you expect to have for many years, this should not be happening unless it is caused by you.

Filed May 23, 2005 · Engine · CA

Consumer is experiencing problems getting her 1996 plymouth neon registered because it allegedly failed to pass a smog check.*mr in september 200 the vehicle passed the test. In september 2003 the consumer received a letter from the manufacturer advising her that her make/model had been recalled because of a problem with the obd self test. The consumer's vehicle was not experiencing the symptoms of the recall therefore she didn't take it to the dealer. In september 2004 when she attempted to register the vehicle and obtain a new smog certificate she was advised that her vehicle failed the mil/check engine light due to failure to successfully complete all obd self test. Upon reviewing the VIN the dmv claimed that the vehicle had been salvaged therefore it did not receive the recall from the manufacturer.

Filed Mar 4, 2005 · Acceleration, Engine · IL

Vehicle stalled unexpectedly at various speeds when on the road. Occasionally, the left turn signal did not operate, which did not inform other drivers when making turns. Cruise control did not operate, as well preventing the vehicle from increasing or decreasing speed.

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Questions about the 1996 Plymouth Neon

Is the 1996 Plymouth Neon reliable?

Owners have filed 308 complaints about the 1996 Plymouth Neon, 6.3 times a typical Neon model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Plymouth Neon?

Engine and cooling, with 167 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles. Next is electrical (45).

How many recalls does the 1996 Plymouth Neon have?

2 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic and electrical system.

What year does the Plymouth Neon have bad engine?

The Plymouth Neon model years with the most engine complaints are 1996 (167 complaints), 1995 (144 complaints) and 1997 (103 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1996 Plymouth Neon get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Plymouth Neon range from 25 to 28 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 22-24 city and 30-35 highway.

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