IllustrationON MY 1998 PLYMOUTH NEON THE FUEL FILLER TUBE RUSTED AWAY (I WAS ABLE TO SEE DAYLIGHT WHEN FILLING UP WITH GAS). THE RUST/ROAD DEBRIS/WATER WENT INTO THE FUEL TANK AND WAS NOT PREVENTED FROM GOING INTO THE FUEL RAIL & INJECTORS CAUSING THE CAR TO CONSTANTLY STUMBLE AND DISPLAY THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LITE.
1998 Plymouth Neon
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1998 Plymouth Neon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 151.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Neon years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 22 of 167 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 91 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
20 crash reports4 fire reports15 injury reports
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
4 reportsON TWO SEPARATE OCASSIONS CRUD/SLUDGE DEVELOPED IN FUEL SYSTEM, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PERFORM ERRATICALLY. NEW INJECTORS WERE INSTALLED, BUT PROBLEM REOCCURRED A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER.*AK
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GASOLINE, THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE LEAK WAS FROM THE HEAD BEING WARPED AND PITTED DUE TO THE TYPE OF HEAD USE ON THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER WAS UNA…
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WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GASOLINE, THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE LEAK WAS FROM THE HEAD BEING WARPED AND PITTED DUE TO THE TYPE OF HEAD USE ON THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE RESURFACE IT. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILIY. *SCC
THIS CAR IS THE WORST. I HAVE LOST MORE WAGES FROM MISSING WORK DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THIS VEHICLE. I AM GOING TO BE CONTACTING MY ATTORNEY FOR LEMON LAWS IN OUR STATE. NO ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP EVEN WANTS TO DEAL WITH ME OR MY PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR REASONS WHY CERTAIN "FIXED" THINGS SEEM TO ALWAYS BE…
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THIS CAR IS THE WORST. I HAVE LOST MORE WAGES FROM MISSING WORK DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THIS VEHICLE. I AM GOING TO BE CONTACTING MY ATTORNEY FOR LEMON LAWS IN OUR STATE. NO ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP EVEN WANTS TO DEAL WITH ME OR MY PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR REASONS WHY CERTAIN "FIXED" THINGS SEEM TO ALWAYS BE BREAKING DOWN? I AM GOING TO GET RID OF IT ASAP. * NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY. *AK
Official recalls
199V001000 · Structure:body
Jan 7, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MAY BE MISSING SPOT WELDS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN STRUCTURAL CRACKS IN THE BODY, AND REDUCED CRASH PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MISSING WELDS, AND WILL HAVE STRUCTURAL RIVETS INSTALLED IN PLACE OF THE MISSING WELDS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate
Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
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.