# 1998 PLYMOUTH NEON — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
> NHTSA complaint `485670` · 2004-07-20 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** PLYMOUTH
- **Model:** NEON
- **Year:** 1998
- **Manufacturer:** Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
- **Component:** ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
- **Miles at failure:** 42,000
## Narrative
TOOK MY 98 NEON WITH 42,000 MILES INTO LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL LEAK.  THEY SAID THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR A TOTAL OF $1050.  IT IS MY OPINION THAT:  - THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE IS NOT DUE TO MY OWN NEGLIGENCE, BUT AN INHERENT DESIGN FLAW.  - THE INFERIOR HEAD GASKETS SHIPPED IN THESE CARS POSE A SLIGHT SAFETY RISK TO CONSUMERS BECAUSE IT DIRECTLY LEADS TO OIL LEAKAGE.  - A LARGE PERCENTAGE, IF NOT ALL FIRST GENERATION NEONS, ARE AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM.   *LA
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*