Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1996 Plymouth Neon
NHTSA data on file today
The 1996 Plymouth Neon has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 308 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #96V075000 Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Master Cylinder NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #96V026000 Electrical System — Wiring — Front Underhood NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 162 complaints
- Electrical System 45 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 32 complaints
- Power Train 25 complaints
- Air Bags 21 complaints
- Unknown or Other 20 complaints
Of the 308 complaints on file, 32 report a crash and 11 a fire; across all 308 complaints, owners report 31 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,500–$9,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1996 Plymouth NEON receives a below-average rating, given its significant number of engine and electrical system complaints and two recall campaigns related to critical components such as brakes and wiring. The data suggests common issues with engine systems, but other failures are less frequently reported. The available evidence is limited, focusing mainly on notable engine concerns.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine system | 70,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
| Electrical system | 60,000–90,000 miles | $200–$600 | occasional |
| Brake system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $250–$800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Tire rotation and alignment
- Brake fluid and pads check
- Transmission service
- Coolant system maintenance
- Battery inspection and terminals clean
- Air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine overheating
- Unusual electrical behavior
- Brake fluid leaks
- Erratic engine performance
- Weak brake response
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1996 Plymouth Neon at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.