The 1997 Plymouth Neon has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 125,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 234 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESIGN ALLOWS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN.
UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was in a drive-thru, both frontal airbags deployed. The contact was not in the vehicle when this occurred, but stated nothing was hit or run over. Both front windows shattered and the occupants sustained minor injuries. The vehicle has not been seen by a…”
“I bought this 1997 plymouth neon on 8/19/2005 used with 66000 miles it seemed like a solid vehicle but in sept/oct we had quite a bit of rain and I noticed puddles in my back seat area on the floor both sides,I checked around the car for open windows ect.....there was nothing I checked the trunk…”
“Plymouth neon 1997 found paint used to paint neon is defective. *bf the consumer stated it was peeling off in alarmingly large patches. *jb”
“Car stalled out and stopped on freeway! I was almost rear ended. Stated right up but stalled again. Had it towed to shop (pepboys). They replaced several parts before referring me to dealership as they could not find and fix the problem. Chrysler dealership says it is engine wire harness at…”
“Car stalled out and stopped on freeway! I was almost rear ended. Stated right up but stalled again. Had it towed to shop (pepboys). They replaced several parts before referring me to dealership as they could not find and fix the problem. Chrysler dealership says it is engine wire harness at…”
“Firestone fr480 p175 70r14 dot code (hyep fra 229) 4 new tires purchased nov 8, 2003 from firestone dealer in port richey fl, apparently manufactured 22nd week of 1999. *jb tire failed catostrophically on interstate causing severe damage to 1997 plymouth neon caused by the tire. There was a blown…”
“1997 plymouth neon headgasket failure. This problem is a known design problem of the original gasket.*ak”
“Vehicle burns oil prematurely. Dealer states engine needs to be replaced. *ak”
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS.…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Plymouth Neon as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.