Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Plymouth Neon, and it carries no recalls. 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 | 21 | 31% |
| Air bags | 6 | 9% |
| Power train | 5 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 3% |
| Suspension | 2 | 3% |
| Seats | 2 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY DROPS TO EMPTY. EVEN AFTER A COMPLETE TANK REFILL. IT WOULD SEEM TO BE AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN EITHER THE SENSOR OR DASH GAUGE ITSELF. IT CAN BE "CLEARED" FROM BEING STUCK ON EMPTY BY SHUTTING OF
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PLYMOUTH NEON, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED HOT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE IGNITION KEY WAS TOO H
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
HEAD GASKET FAILURE THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ON GOING PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL CAR - CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED OR AT VERY LEAST REPAIRED BY CHRYSLER. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
BADLY RUSTED STRUT TOWER ON DRIVERS SIDE FRONT, NEEDS ATTENTION OR SEVERE DAMAGE AND INJURY COULD OCCUR. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUT 1999 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER HOME FROM WORK AFTER A SNOWSTORM. ABOUT A BLOCK AWAY FROM OUR HOME, HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN A CORNER WHEN HE HIT A SMALL PILE OF SNOW THAT THE PLOWS HAD LEFT BEHIND. THE SE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
AIR BAG FAILURE. STRUCK A DEER IN FRONT OF CAR. FRONT BUMPER, GRILL, HOOD, DRIVER SIDE FRONT FENDER, HEADLIGHT AND WINDSHIELD WERE DAMAGED QUITE SEVERELY. DAMAGE IS APPROXIMATELY $4000. SPEED WAS 45 MPH. DEER WAS LA
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
DT: THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START,.OPENED THE HOOD, LOOKED LIKE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, THE WIRING ON THE END GLOWED RED RIGHT ABOVE THE BATTERY. PREVIOUSLY, THERE WAS AN AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEM, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I WAS TRAVELLING EASTBOUND ON THE LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY APPROACHING EXIT 57 WHEN I STARTED TO HEAR A NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH MY VEHICLE, A 1999 PLMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER. I FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS THE MUFFLER AND CONTINUED DRIVI
NHTSA complaint: Tires
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| 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 68 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 21 of them (31%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (excellent) 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 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 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 74/100. 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.