Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1996 vs 1997 PLYMOUTH NEON

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 359 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 48.2% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1996 share 1997 share Share change
ENGINE 43.3% 54.7% ▲ 11.4 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11.1% 2.5% ▼ 8.6 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM 3.6% 0.6% ▼ 3.0 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS 6.2% 8.2% ▲ 2.0 pts larger share
TIRES not reported 1.9% ▲ 1.9 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS 0.7% 2.5% ▲ 1.9 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES 6.5% 5.0% ▼ 1.5 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 5.9% 4.4% ▼ 1.5 pts smaller share
WHEELS 0.7% not reported ▼ 0.7 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 0.7% 1.3% ▲ 0.6 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 2.0% 2.5% ▲ 0.6 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2.3% 1.9% ▼ 0.4 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2.3% 1.9% ▼ 0.4 pts smaller share
STEERING 2.3% 2.5% ▲ 0.2 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 2.3% 2.5% ▲ 0.2 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 61.6% 50.3% ▼ 11.3 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1996 2

Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1997 1

Campaign components: AIR BAGS

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
11 → 2
◆ Injuries
31 → 22