Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 184 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Plymouth Neon, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 75 | 41% |
| Air bags | 17 | 9% |
| Suspension | 10 | 5% |
| Power train | 9 | 5% |
| Structure | 7 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 3% |
| Visibility | 4 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PLYMOUTH NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED AND WOULD NOT DISPLAY THE SPEED BEING TRAVELED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE SPEEDOMETER CIRCUIT BOARD RESISTOR W
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
CAR HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT AND OIL STARTED RUNNING OUT UNDERNEATH THE CAR. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND CHRYSLER HAS YET TO CORRECT IT. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I HAVE F
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
THE STRUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR RATTLES. IT RUBS WHEN I MAKE RIGHT TURNS. I HAVE ONLY CHANGED THE STRUTS IN THE REAR AND A WHEEL BEARING ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR AND IT IS STILL DOING IT. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING CONTROL RE DEFECTIVE NEW CHRYSLER VEHICLE FWD TO POTUS RE HOW CORPORATIONS ARE ALLOWED TO OPERATE IN THE USA. *NJ WITHIN A WEEK OF THE CONSUMERS MOTHER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD AN ABNOR
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING CONTROL RE DEFECTIVE NEW CHRYSLER VEHICLE FWD TO POTUS RE HOW CORPORATIONS ARE ALLOWED TO OPERATE IN THE USA. *NJ WITHIN A WEEK OF THE CONSUMERS MOTHER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD AN ABNOR
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
REPORTS ON DEFECTIVE PARTS MADE BY CHRYSLER WITH REGARD TO 1998 PLYMOUTH NEON ENGINE OVERHEATING AS A RESULT OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR FAN RELAY, COOLANT RESERVOIR AND/OR THE COOLANT CAP. *NJ
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
DURING RAINY WEATHER VAN BEGINS TO SQUEAL FROM FRONT END WHILE DRIVING GAUGES BEGIN TO GO CRAZY BATTERY LIGHT OIL LIGHT ON TEMP. GAUGE GOES TO HOT POWER STEERING APPEARS TO STOP WORKING CAR DIES : ORIGINAL DIAGNOSES SE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
OUR PLYMOUTH VOYAGER ROLLED DOWN THE HILL WHEN IT WAS IN PARK. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1998 Plymouth Neon. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MAY BE MISSING SPOT WELDS.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN STRUCTURAL CRACKS IN THE BODY, AND REDUCED CRASH PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MISSING WELDS, AND WILL HAVE STRUCTURAL RIVETS INSTALLED IN PLACE OF THE MISSING WELDS.
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 184 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 75 of them (41%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1998 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.