1996 Plymouth Neon Engine And Engine Cooling:engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

119Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints

38.6%Of all 308 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine and engine cooling:engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE119 · 38.6%

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE44 · 14.3%

Unspecified / other23 · 7.5%

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL22 · 7.1%

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS14 · 4.5%

Share of the 308 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1996 Plymouth Neon overview page.

What owners report

“HEADGASKET FAILURE (AM I THE FIRST?)WHO'S GETTING PAID TO KEEP THIS HUSH HUSH AND NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM?”NHTSA complaint 715282 — filed 11/26/1999

“THE ENGINE GASKETS ARE LEAKING OIL ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE GASKETS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT.”NHTSA complaint 852943 — filed 11/16/1999

“ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. REAR MAIN SEAL REPLACED ONCE DUE TO MAJOR LEAKS”NHTSA complaint 714833 — filed 11/15/1999

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 1996 Plymouth Neon have engine and engine cooling:engine problems?

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine is the most-reported problem area on the 1996 Plymouth Neon: 119 of 308 complaints on file (38.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 1996 Plymouth Neon have in total?

308 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 32 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, 33 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine and engine cooling:engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.