Research · Compact Cars
1999 Plymouth NeonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 67 owner complaints for the 1999 Plymouth Neon. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (31) and electrical system (8). The EPA rates it 24–28 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
24–28mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
67
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1999 Plymouth Neon as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
67 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 1998 – Jul 2016
- Engine and engine cooling31
- Electrical system8
- Air bags6
- Structure5
- Equipment5
- Service brakes, hydraulic5
- Power train5
- Suspension3
- Visibility3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Engine and engine cooling
31 reports
“MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUT 1999 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER HOME FROM WORK AFTER A SNOWSTORM. ABOUT A BLOCK AWAY FROM OUR HOME, HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN A CORNER WHEN HE HIT A SMALL PILE OF SNOW THAT THE PLOWS HAD LEFT BEHIND. THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF FROM THE PULLEYS, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE THE POWER STEERING. WITHOUT TIME TO SLOW DOWN OR STEER HARD ENOUGH TO GET AROUND THE CORNER, HE WENT ACROSS TRAFFIC AND ALMOST HIT A PARKED CAR AND SNOW BANK. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND HAD THE SERPENTINE BELT PUT BACK ON. LAST SPRING WE ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM DURING A RAINSTORM AFTER DRIVING THOUGH SOME PUDDLES. AT THAT TIME THE REPAIR WAS TO REPLACE THE SERPENTINE BELT, THE A/C BELT (IT WAS TANGLED WITH THE SERPENTINE BELT) AND REPLACE THE BELT TENSIONER PULLEY. *JB”
Electrical system
8 reports1 fire
“FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY DROPS TO EMPTY. EVEN AFTER A COMPLETE TANK REFILL. IT WOULD SEEM TO BE AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN EITHER THE SENSOR OR DASH GAUGE ITSELF. IT CAN BE "CLEARED" FROM BEING STUCK ON EMPTY BY SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND THEN RESTARTING IT.”
Air bags
6 reports6 crashes
“AIR BAG FAILURE. STRUCK A DEER IN FRONT OF CAR. FRONT BUMPER, GRILL, HOOD, DRIVER SIDE FRONT FENDER, HEADLIGHT AND WINDSHIELD WERE DAMAGED QUITE SEVERELY. DAMAGE IS APPROXIMATELY $4000. SPEED WAS 45 MPH. DEER WAS LARGE BUCK, 12 POINTS. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *JB”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
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 30, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neon Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 36 | 28 | $2,300 | 317 |
| Neon Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,700 | 370 |
- 28mpg comb.
- 24mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Plymouth Neon as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 3974
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
1999 Neon questions
How many recalls does the 1999 Plymouth Neon have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 30, 2026.
What are the most common 1999 Plymouth Neon problems?
Owners filed 67 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (31), electrical system (8), air bags (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 1999 Plymouth Neon get?
The EPA rates the 1999 Plymouth Neon at 24–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026