Plymouth

Neon

Compact Cars · model years 1995 to 2001

See all 14 Neon trims

The verdict

Best year: 1999. complaints: 62, below this model's typical 161; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2.

Worst year: 1995. complaints: 481, about 3x this model's typical 161; recalls: 6, about 3x this model's typical 2.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Plymouth Neon
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
1995	2Gas	27	$2,300	6	481	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 23%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 14%, STEERING 11%
complaints: 481, about 3x this model's typical 161 recalls: 6, about 3x this model's typical 2 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 57 complaints reporting a fire: 29 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
1996	2Gas	26.5	$2,350	2	308	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 39%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 9%
complaints: 308, about 1.9x this model's typical 161 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 33 complaints reporting a fire: 11 Score: 27 of 100, where higher is better.
1997	2Gas	27	$2,325	1	161	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 48%, AIR BAGS 7%, POWER TRAIN 7%
complaints: 161, in line with this model's typical 161 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 22 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 60 of 100, where higher is better.
1998	2Gas	26.5	$2,375	1	167	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 44%, AIR BAGS 9%, SUSPENSION 7%
complaints: 167, above this model's typical 161 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 2 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 18 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 44 of 100, where higher is better.
1999	2Gas	26	$2,400	0	62	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 38%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%, AIR BAGS 8%
complaints: 62, below this model's typical 161 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 79 of 100, where higher is better.
2000	2Gas	25.5	$2,450	5	141	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 19%, AIR BAGS 12%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10%
complaints: 141, below this model's typical 161 recalls: 5, about 2.5x this model's typical 2 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 23 complaints reporting a fire: 5 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2001	2Gas	25	$2,500	2	49	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 19%, AIR BAGS 17%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 49, below this model's typical 161 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 56 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1995: 27 to 2001: 25

Owner complaints1995: 481 to 2001: 49

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Plymouth Neon to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.