1996 Plymouth Neon: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Plymouth Neon: 2 recalls, 308 owner complaints and up to 28 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #96V026000 · 1996 · 15,000 vehicles
What's wrong: An engine wiring harness can short circuit due to contact with the exhaust gas recirculation tube..
Why it matters: Shorting of the wiring harness can cause various electrical malfunctions, including engine stalling.
The fix: Dealers will reroute the engine wiring harness properly and any wire that has been damaged will be replaced.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #96V075000 · 1996 · 151,800 vehicles
What's wrong: The brake master cylinder can leak brake fluid due to a damaged double lip rear piston seal.
Why it matters: Brake fluid leakage can result in diminished effectiveness of one half of the split brake system. The instrument panel warning light(s) will signal system impairment prior to partial brake system loss.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rear brake master cylindr piston assembly.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 11 mention a fire, 33 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (167): the most common themes are leaks (87), stalls / loses power (21), fire / smoke (15).
- Electrical (45): the most common themes are electrical failure (21), stalls / loses power (11), leaks (8).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (36): the most common themes are noise or vibration (9), brake failure / soft pedal (9).
- Transmission & drivetrain (27): the most common themes are leaks (9), noise or vibration (4).
The 1996 Plymouth Neon has 308 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 8 Neon model years for complaints (1.8× the average Neon year). Complaints peaked in 2000 (76 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 83,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (481 complaints, 6 recalls), 1997 (161 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 35 | 28 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1996 Plymouth Neon.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1996 Plymouth Neon have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1996 Plymouth Neon. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1996 Plymouth Neon problems?
Owners have filed 308 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (167), electrical (45), brakes (hydraulic) (36).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Plymouth Neon get?
EPA ratings run up to 28 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1996 Plymouth Neon repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.