1994 Plymouth Neon problems

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The Neon is a compact car that was built from in January 1994 until 2005 by the American Chrysler Corporation over two generations. It has a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout and came in two-door and four-door sedan body styles. In the United States it was sold as either a Dodge or a Plymouth, while in Europe, Mexico, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Egypt, Australia, South Africa, and South America it was branded as a Chrysler, the Neon was offered in multiple versions and configurations over its production life, which lasted from the 1995 model year until 2005. The Neon nameplate was subsequently resurrected in 2016 for the Dodge Neon, a rebadged variant of Fiat Tipo sedan for the Mexican market.

1991 concept car

The Neon nameplate first appeared as a concept car in 1991 under the Dodge brand. Although radically styled and clearly not production-ready featuring sliding suicide doors, the Neon concept resembled the future production vehicle.

The Neon concept was designed by Chrysler designers who had joined the company from Chrysler's buyout of American Motors Corporation (AMC) in 1987.

1994 Plymouth Neon

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Common 1994 Plymouth Neon problems

The Plymouth Neon, produced from 1994 to 2001, is known for several common problems that have been reported by owners. These issues span across engine, electrical, transmission, suspension, and steering components.

Starting with engine problems, the 1994-1996 models were equipped with a 2.0-liter engine that was prone to oil consumption and power loss.

Electrical problems were also common with the Plymouth Neon. Drivers reported issues with the alternator, which could fail and cause the battery to drain quickly. The starter was another component that was prone to failure, particularly in colder climates.

Transmission problems were prevalent in both automatic and manual transmissions. Automatic transmission issues included difficulties with shifting and slipping between gears. Manual transmission problems were particularly noticeable with the clutch, which could wear out quickly and require frequent replacement.

Suspension and steering components of the Plymouth Neon were known to wear out quickly. Drivers reported issues with tie rod ends and ball joints, which could cause the vehicle to drift or pull to one side. Additionally, the steering rack was prone to failure, which could make the vehicle difficult to steer and control.

To prevent common issues in the Plymouth Neon, regular maintenance is crucial. This includes regular oil changes, checking and replacing air filters, and ensuring that the fuel pump is functioning correctly. Additionally, checking the timing belt and replacing it as recommended by the manufacturer can prevent engine damage. Regular inspections of the suspension and steering components can also help identify and address issues before they become more significant problems.

1994 Plymouth Neon engine

1994 Plymouth Neon car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Plymouth Neon problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Engine and engine cooling problems
  • Equipment problems
  • Air bags problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1994 Plymouth Neon vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1994 Plymouth Neon complaints

The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1994 Plymouth Neon.

2001-03-23

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2001-03-01
  • VIN: 1P3ES47C9SD
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND LOOKED ON DASHBOARD, AND TEMERATURE LIGHT WAS RED HOT. HE PULLED OVER, AND HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. MECHANIC INDICATED A BLOWEN HEAD GASKET. THIS WAS SECOND TIME. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
1999-08-31

EQUIPMENT PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-08-01
  • VIN: 1P4GH54R8RX
  • Components: EQUIPMENT
  • Summary: COMPLETE LOSS OF FREON FROM SYSTEM. BOTH CHRYSLER VEHICLES HAVE FAILED COMPONENTS FROM SAME YEAR
1996-05-23

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-04-12
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: IP3E547COSD
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 45 MPH. *AK
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Other years of Plymouth Neon

plymouth neon 1995 photo
Neon 1995
Plymouth

602

6

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
plymouth neon 1996 photo
Neon 1996
Plymouth

352

2

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
plymouth neon 1997 photo
Neon 1997
Plymouth

196

1

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
plymouth neon 1998 photo
Neon 1998
Plymouth

184

1

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
plymouth neon 1999 photo
Neon 1999
Plymouth

68

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
plymouth neon 2000 photo
Neon 2000
Plymouth

144

6

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

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