Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 1998 Plymouth Neon sits mid-pack among Neon years: 237 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 217, with a single recall and one closed investigation. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 20 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 43% of all reports (102 of 237), far ahead of airbags at 19.
237
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
1
Investigations
23
Crash-involved
5
Fires reported
20
Injuries
2
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 102 | 43% | — flat |
| Airbags | 19 | 8% | — flat |
| Suspension | 18 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 14 | 6% | — flat |
| Body & Structure | 13 | 5% | — flat |
| Brakes | 12 | 5% | — flat |
| Speed Control | 9 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 9 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 8 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 8 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Other | 6 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Steering | 5 | 2% | — flat |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 2% | — flat |
| Lighting | 4 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 2 | 1% | ▲ up |
| Latches & Locks | 2 | 1% | — flat |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 2 | 1% | ▲ up |
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MAY BE MISSING SPOT WELDS.
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“HEAD GASKET FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED BUT AFTER REPAIR THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING. BOTH OF THOSE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *TS *NLM”
“WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH VEHICLE WAS HIT IN FRONT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND. CONSUMER WAS HIT IN THE REAR TOO. AFTER BEING HIT IN THE REAR, VEHICLE SPINNED AROUND AGAIN, AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON THEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE…”
“I HAD A SLOW SPEED ACCIDENT IN MY 1998 PLYMOUTH NEON. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND ONLY GOING 5 MPH. THE OTHER CAR HIT MY LEFT FRONT FENDER. MY STRUT IS BROKEN & VARIOUS OTHER PARTS OF THE SUSPENSION, INCLUDING THE AXEL. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN IN A SLOW SPEED ACCIDENT. I SEE THERE…”
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN SHIFTING THE VEHCLE FROM 2 SPEED TO 3 SPEED THE TRANSMISSION EXPLODED WITHOUT A REASON, RESULTING IN A FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HOT AT ALL, AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD A HOLE ON TOP. SERVICE DEALER SAID THEY HAD TO WAIT A FEW DAYS TO FIND OUT WHERE THE PROBLEM…”
“VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION 0F 30-40 MPH AND FRONT STRUCTURE WAS DAMAGED, POORLY DESIGNED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATIOM CONCERNING THIS MATTER. *AK”
It is close to typical for the Neon: 237 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and 1 investigation on file.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (102 complaints), airbags (19 complaints), suspension (18 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1998 Plymouth Neon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Neon years to avoid are 1995, 1996. The cleanest record among Neon years belongs to 1994.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.