MYRModel Year Report

1998 Plymouth Neon

● Typical for this model
1998 Plymouth Neon
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:55:38.575Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Plymouth Neon Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1994: 3 complaints 1994 1995: 483 complaints 1995 1996: 308 complaints 1996 1997: 166 complaints 1997 1998: 167 complaints 1998 1999: 62 complaints 1999 2000: 141 complaints 2000 2001: 49 complaints 2001
1998: 167 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19943
1995483
1996308
1997166
1998167
199962
2000141
200149

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 58%

58% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 97 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TOOK MY 98 NEON WITH 42,000 MILES INTO LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL LEAK. THEY SAID THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR A TOTAL OF $1050.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040720

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20030128

AIR BAGS 11%

11% of complaints: air bags — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL IMPACT AT 20-25 MPH AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19980910

SUSPENSION 10%

10% of complaints: suspension — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and rear.

CRASH
POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 19980518

STRUCTURE 8%

8% of complaints: structure — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing trunk lid and body.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19990202 — structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MAY BE MISSING SPOT WELDS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MISSING WELDS, AND WILL HAVE STRUCTURAL RIVETS INSTALLED IN PLACE OF THE MISSING WELDS.

Campaign 99V001000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20021106 — PE (closed 20030423)

SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Plymouth Neon — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (97 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 99V001000 (structure) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2001 ▲ 1999 ● 2000

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1996 ● 1997

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Plymouth Neon reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Plymouth Neon is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Plymouth Neon?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 58% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Plymouth Neon have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-08-10 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.