The 1996 Plymouth Neon has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 166,800 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 476 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.
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.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.
AN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS CAN SHORT CIRCUIT DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION TUBE..
SHORTING OF THE WIRING HARNESS CAN CAUSE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS, INCLUDING ENGINE STALLING.
DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROPERLY AND ANY WIRE THAT HAS BEEN DAMAGED WILL BE REPLACED.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Dbr2 not working or obd 2 not working when plug in obd reader no sign of workingness on vehicle”
“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”
“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”
“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”
“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…”
“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,…”
“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…”
“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…”
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.…
There is no summary currently available
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Plymouth Neon as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.