1998 Plymouth Neon: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 Plymouth Neon: 1 recall, 167 owner complaints and up to 29 mpg combined.

Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #99V001000 · 1999 · 3,683 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear suspension crossmember May be missing spot welds.
Why it matters: This condition can result in structural cracks in the body, and reduced crash protection in the event of a rear impact.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for any missing welds, and will have structural rivets installed in place of the missing welds.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 18 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (91): the most common themes are leaks (43), noise or vibration (6), overheating (6).
- Airbags (18): the most common themes are fails to deploy (9).
- Suspension (14): the most common themes are noise or vibration (10), steering problems (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (12): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (6), noise or vibration (3), leaks (2).
The 1998 Plymouth Neon has 167 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 8 Neon model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 172). Complaints peaked in 2001 (39 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 65,561 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (161 complaints, 1 recalls), 1999 (62 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 37 | 29 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | 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 1998 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.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 1998 Plymouth Neon have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1998 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 1998 Plymouth Neon problems?
Owners have filed 167 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (91), airbags (18), suspension (14).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Plymouth Neon get?
EPA ratings run up to 29 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 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.