Engine
2.0L 4-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Engine & cooling
164 complaint records7 fire reports1 crash report
"CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO START CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO DEALER, AND SAID ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Brakes
105 complaint records1 fire report15 crash reports
"WHENEVER IT RAINS OR SNOWS THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON, DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. CJ..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →
Steering
74 complaint records3 fire reports9 crash reports
"EA97-009 ACTIVE, STEERING FAILURE, WHEN MAKING A LFT HAND TURN , HAS NO STEERING CONTROL, WHEEL WILL NOT TURN TO THE LEFT. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse steering parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP03002 opened May 2003 | closed Jul 2003 | Steering | STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED... |
| PE02082 opened Nov 2002 | closed Apr 2003 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE 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... |
| PE98012 opened Feb 1998 | closed Jun 1998 | Electrical System | UNDERHOOD FIRES There is no summary currently available |
| EA98003 opened Jan 1998 | closed Jan 2000 | Air Bags | OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS |
| PE97042 opened Sep 1997 | closed Jan 1998 | Air Bags | OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT There is no summary currently available |
Show 4 more closed investigations
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA97009 opened Apr 1997 | closed Oct 1997 | Steering | LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL - led to recall 97V169000 There is no summary currently available |
| PE97007 opened Jan 1997 | closed Apr 1997 | Electrical System | ALLEGED FIRES IN STEERING COLUMN AREA THE APPARENT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS THE ACCUMULATION OF BRASS POWDER, THAT WEARS OFF THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS INSIDE THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH.THIS POWDER COLLECTS IN SMALL TRAILS OF GREASE THAT TRACK FROM ONE CONTACT TO ANOTHER.WHEN THE CONCENTRATION OF BRASS... |
| PE96069 opened Nov 1996 | closed Apr 1997 | Steering | LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL There is no summary currently available |
| PE94095 opened Dec 1994 | closed Apr 1995 | Steering | LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL There is no summary currently available |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 97V169000 | Steering | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLER CAN BECOME DISCONNECTED WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES AN UNDERBODY IMPACT. | Normally free |
| 96V228000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | THE FUEL AND REAR BRAKE TUBES CAN EXPERIENCE ACCELERATED CORROSION BETWEEN THE TUBES AND A RUBBER ISOLATOR. | Normally free |
| 96V075000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL. | Normally free |
| 94V034000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | THE REAR BRAKE HOSE MOUNTING BRACKET SCREWS CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE BRAKE HOSES TO MOVE OUT OF POSITION. THE UNRESTRAINED HOSES ARE THEN SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE WHICH COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE. | Normally free |
| 94V033000 | Power Train | MOISTURE CAN GET INTO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CAUSING DRIVEABILITY MALFUNCTIONS, INCLUDING STALLING. | Normally free |
| 94V026000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | THE ABS BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER REAR SEAL ALLOWS AIR TO ENTER THE BRAKE SYSTEM, CAUSING SPONGY BRAKES OR PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997171 1997-10-08 | Steering | 59,641 | THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLER MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A SEVERE IMPACT TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THIS WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. |
| 1996186 1996-11-20 | Brakes | 33,158 | THE FUEL AND REAR BRAKE TUBES MAY EXPERIENCE ACCELERATED CORROSION BETWEEN THE TUBES AND A RUBBER ISOLATOR. FAILURE OF THESE TUBES COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE AND/OR DIMINISHED BRAKING CAPACITY. |
| 1996079 1996-05-17 | Brakes | 6,257 | On certain vehicles, the brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid due to a damaged double lip rear piston seal. Brake fluid leakage may result in diminished effectiveness of one portion of the split brake system. |
| 1994038 1994-02-21 | Electrical | 1,740 | VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE AN ENGINE DIE OUT DUE TO MOISTURE IN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CAUSED BY INADEQUATE POTTING MATERIAL SEALING. |
| 1994024 1994-02-08 | Brakes | 153 | VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A REAR ABS BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER SEAL THAT MAY ALLOW AIR INGESTION INTO THE CYLINDER AND CAUSE SPONGY BRAKE FEEL OR PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| R2118796A Feb 2016 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling. | |
| 1802002 Jun 2002 | Unknown Or Other | FLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC | |
| 0801001 May 2001 | Electrical System | SUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG / CLOCK SPRING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2002 MODEL YEAR JEEP LIBERTY. *TT | |
| 1801201 May 2001 | Equipment | SUBJECT REGARDING GENERIC SCAN TOOL (GST), PUBLICATION NO. 81-170-00008 PROVIDED WITH THIS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO PROVIDE REFERENCE INFORMATION WHEN USING GENERIC SCAN TOOL ON OBDII VEHICLES. *TT | |
| 2300800B Nov 2000 | Seats | SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT |
Show 48 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 082700 Sep 2000 | Air Bags | SUBJECT REGARDING NON-DEPLOYED AIRBAG HANDLING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 050300 Apr 2000 | Service Brakes | SUBJECT ON PROPORTIONING VALVE BRAKE PRESSURE ADAPTER TOOL REVISION. *TT | |
| 230800 Mar 2000 | Seats | SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT | |
| 080600 Feb 2000 | Electrical System | THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT | |
| 230200 Feb 2000 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION IS NOW OFFERING INTERNAL EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASES FOR SELECTION VEHICLES. *TT | |
| 083799 Nov 1999 | Air Bags | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION IS NOW OFFERINB AIRBAG ON / OFF SWITCHES FOR SELECTED VEHICLES. *TT | |
| 090899 Sep 1999 | Engine And Engine Cooling | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING MULTI-LAYER STEEL (MLS) HEAD GASKET INSTALLATION PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 210599A Sep 1999 | Power Train | THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY AND INSTALLATION OF A RESUABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL PAN GASKET. *TT | |
| 233599 Sep 1999 | Seats | INFORMATION ON CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT | |
| 081798 Dec 1998 | Air Bags | SUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG ON - OFF SWITCHES. *YC | |
| 090798 Dec 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SUBJECT REGARDING OIL SEEPAGE AT CAM POSITION SENSOR / MISINTERPRETED HEAD GASKET LEAK. *YC | |
| 090598 Nov 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | A NEW MULTI-LAYER STEEL ( MLS ) HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND IS BEING IMPLEMENTED INTO PRODUCTION VEHICLES. *YC | |
| 250298 Oct 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SUBJECT REGARDING I/M ( INSPECTION MAINTENANCE ) TESTING - OBD II "CARB" READINESS MONITOR INFORMATION. *YC | |
| 183298 Sep 1998 | Structure | SUBJECT ON FLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *YC | |
| 081798 REV B Sep 1998 | Air Bags | SUBJECT REGARDING THE AIRBAG ON-OFF SWITCHES. *YC | |
| 020698 Jun 1998 | Suspension | EXPERIENCING POPPING NOISE OVER BUMPS WITH WHEELS STRAIGHT OR WHEN TURNING. *YC | |
| 232298 Jun 1998 | Structure | INFORMATION ON THE COMPETITION PACKAGE ( SALES CODE ACR ) FRONT FASCIA. *YC | |
| 9830 Jun 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SUBJECT ON LABOR OPERATION TIME CHANGE FOR DOMESTIC 2.OL DOHC AND 2.4L HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT. *YC | |
| 190198 Feb 1998 | Steering | CONDITION WITH CLUNKING OR RATTLING IN STEERING/WHEEL COLUMN. *YC | |
| 110298 Feb 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | EXCESSIVE EXHAUST NOISE/VIBRATION DURING/AFTER UNDERBODY CONTACT WITH MOISTURE. *YC | |
| 020297 Dec 1997 | Suspension | POPPING NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN TURNING. *TW | |
| 0832097 Sep 1997 | Electrical System | INFORMATION REGARDING NHTSA AUTHORIZED AIRBAG DEACTIVATION FOR MEDICAL NECESSITY. *NLM | |
| 070497 Jun 1997 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHEN DRIVING THROUGH HEAVY RAIN - DEEP PUDDLES. *TW | |
| 232497 May 1997 | Structure | CENTER CONSOLE LATCH BROKEN. *TW | |
| 070397 May 1997 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CONCERNS WITH ENGINE COOLANT USAGE. *NLM | |
| 070197 Mar 1997 | Engine And Engine Cooling | VEHICLE OVERHEATS AND/OR A/C INOPERATIVE WITH NO MIL ILLUMINATION. *TW | |
| 180697 Mar 1997 | Electrical System | ENGINE SLOW CRANK - MIL ILLUMINATED - IAC DTC HEX $25 SET. *TW | |
| 181097 Feb 1997 | Electrical System | INTERMITTENT SINGLE CYLINDER MISFIRE AND/OR MIL ILLUMINATED. *TW | |
| 230597 Feb 1997 | Structure | PAINTED SURFACES OF THE VEHICLE THAT ARE COVERED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME WITH FRONT END COVERS OR MAGNETIC SIGNS MAY APPEAR TO HAVE A WHITE "MILKY" OR "FOGGED" DISCOLORATION. *AK | |
| 230397 Feb 1997 | Structure | DIFFICULT TO CLEAN LIGHT COLORED "CHALKY" RESIDUE FROM PLASTIC BODY COMPONENTS THAT ARE MOLDED IN BLACK. *TW | |
| 190496 Jan 1997 | Steering | WHISTLE AND/OR HISS NOISE FROM STEERING GEAR WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS. *JD | |
| 212395 Dec 1995 | Power Train | BULLETIN APPLIES TO VEHICLES EQUIPPED W/ A 31TH TRANSAXLE. TRANSAXLE SLIPS MOMENTARILY (ENGINE RPM INCREASES/FLARES) DURING LIGHT THROTTLE 2-3 UPSHIFTS. | |
| 183995 Dec 1995 | Power Train | BULLETIN DOES NOT APPLY TO VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE REPROGRAMMED ON TSB 18-36-95, 18-20-95REVA, OR 18-38-95 DATED DEC. 8, 1995. CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF A 'TICKING' NOISE AT IDLE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. | |
| 183895 Dec 1995 | Power Train | BULLETIN APPLIES TO MANUAL TRANSAXLE EQUIPPED VEHICLES. DOES NOT APPLY TO VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE REPRO- GRAMMED ON TSB 18-36-95, 18-20-95REVA, OR 18-39-95 DATED DEC. 8, 1995. | |
| 183695 Dec 1995 | Power Train | BULLETIN DOES NOT APPLY TO VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE REPROGRAMMED ON TSB 18-20-95REVA, 18-38-95, OR 18-39-95 DATED DEC. 8, 1995. | |
| 091995 Oct 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 09-11-94 DATED MAY 20, 1994. BULLETIN APPLIES TO 2.0L SOHC ENGINES EXCEPT FOR TLEV VEHICLES. MOST 1995 NEONS ARE EQUIPPED WITH PISTONS WHICH CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY A CASTING NUMBER OF 4667965. | |
| 081695REVA Oct 1995 | Vehicle Speed Control | BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 08-16-95, DATED APR. 14, 1995. IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR **REPEATEDLY** PRESSES AND RELEASES THE SET BUTTON WITH THEIR FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR (A 'LIFT FOOT SET' TO BEGIN SPEED CONTROL OPERATION), THE VEHICLE MAY ACCELERATE AND... | |
| CH240795 May 1995 | Equipment | UNKNOWN | |
| CH240695A May 1995 | Equipment | UNKNOWN | |
| CH181795A May 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | UNKNOWN | |
| CH090795 May 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | UNKNOWN | |
| CH050795 May 1995 | Service Brakes | UNKNOWN | |
| CH050695 May 1995 | Service Brakes | UNKNOWN | |
| CH240895 May 1995 | Equipment | UNKNOWN | |
| CH181395 Apr 1995 | Electrical System | WHISTLE NOISE FROM PCM. *TW | |
| FD94M85 Apr 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ANNOUNCEMENT LETTER FOR RECALL 94M85. *TW | |
| 239294 Dec 1994 | Visibility | HIGH EFFORT TO OPERATE FRONT MANUAL WINDOWS. *TW | |
| 182694A Dec 1994 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON - EVAP PURGE FLOW MONITOR FAILURE. *TW |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
- Drive one straight highway stretch and one slow parking lot.Wander or a shimmy over bumps at speed, and heavy or dropped assist at low speed, are the two faces of this vehicle's steering cluster. A clunk on turn-in points at the linkage.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 6 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Plymouth Neon →