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Research · Compact Cars

1996 Plymouth NeonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 309 owner complaints for the 1996 Plymouth Neon. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (163) and electrical system (45). The EPA rates it 25–28 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
25–28mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest May 1996
Owner complaints
309
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported May 3, 1996NHTSA 96V075000

Electrical system: front underhood

Free remedy

AN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS CAN SHORT CIRCUIT DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION TUBE..

Electrical systemReported Feb 5, 1996NHTSA 96V026000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

309 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 1996 – Feb 2022
  1. Engine and engine cooling163
  2. Electrical system45
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic32
  4. Power train25
  5. Air bags21
  6. Fuel system, gasoline14
  7. Steering12
  8. Visibility11
  9. Equipment11

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Neon model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996309
1997166
1998173
199967
2000140
200149
Crashes reported
32
Fires reported
11
Injuries reported
31
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

163 reports3 crashes3 fires
“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. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 1, 2007Engine and engine coolingFire reportedODI 10198159

Electrical system

45 reports1 crash1 fire
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 31, 2021Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Unknown or otherODI 11445703

Service brakes, hydraulic

32 reports5 crashes
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 28, 2004Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemODI 10100675
All 1996 Neon problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 3-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Neon
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243528$2,300317
Neon
Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,550355
  • Neon
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    24 city · 35 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Neon
    Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Plymouth Neon as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026Vehicle 3603
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1996 Neon questions

How many recalls does the 1996 Plymouth Neon have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 31, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1996 Plymouth Neon problems?

Owners filed 309 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (163), electrical system (45), service brakes, hydraulic (32). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1996 Plymouth Neon get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Plymouth Neon at 25–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026