This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I own a 1996 Dodge Neon and recently my engine check light came on. My husband checked my oil and anti-freeze and noticed there was oil in the radiator. He knew right away that the head gasket was gone. We went to the dealer to purchase a head gasket and the salesman told us that Neon's were known for this problem that the original head gasket that were installed at the plant weren't think enough. My husband asked him why we should replace this and not the dealer. Our area part stores can't keep up with stocking head gaskets for these cars. Why should we pay for this?
Had to replace the head gasket at about 60,000 miles. I see lots of other people are having the same complaint. When will there be a recall? this same engine is used in a number of Chrysler cars and the problem is happening to those owners also. Help us out.
- Puyallup, WA, USA
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Head gasket failing second time - leaking oil badly - have lost approximately 2 gallons of oil into the environment through leakage for each failure - when will an environmental recall be issued for these cars - Dodge claims no record of first repair but I have receipts, do not trust Dodge's reporting of the extent of this problem - www.Neons.org shows up to 1/3 of these vehicles are having head gasket failures. This would indicate that 600,000 gallons of oil have already been leaked into the environment - when will something be done to end it.
Head gasket failing second time - leaking oil badly - have lost approximately 2 gallons of oil into the environment through leakage for each failure - when will an environmental recall be issued for these cars - Dodge claims no record of first repair but I have receipts, do not trust Dodge's reporting of the extent of this problem - www.Neons.org shows up to 1/3 of these vehicles are having head gasket failures. This would indicate that 600,000 gallons of oil have already been leaked into the environment - when will something be done to end it.
Consumer noticed oil leaking from underneath the car. The head gasket blew out more than on one occasion. Chrysler had known of problems with head gaskets in Neons, and agreed to pay for parts only.
Twice the head gasket on this car has blown. The first time the car was at 35,000 miles, just short of the warranty so it was replaced at no cost. The second time the head gasket blew was just 1 1/2 years later and I was quoted between $800-$1,500 to have it repaired again. Chrystler corporation is fully aware that this is a common problem with this make and model. I called a number of dealers when trying to get this car fixed and every dealer said this is a very common problem. More than half the dealers recommended I call chrystler corporation to get assistance with the cost. After raising enough hell with chrystler and the dealership, I was able to get it repaired. I do not want to go through this every year and a half. And I should not have to...this is a major, expensive repair and that company should have enough confidence in their product to warranty it.
Vehicle was taken to a mechanic because of oil leakage. It was determined that the engine head gasket was leaking oil. The head gasket has been replaced. The original engine head gasket was replaced at 8, 000 miles. Chrysler confirmed that there was a problem with the head gasket. But it was not under recall. Ak.et.
Ongoing problem with a 2.0L engine head gasket failure. From March of 1996 to present, vehicle has experienced replacement of 2 head gaskets, egr valve with eet, oil pressure sensor/switch, and transmission.
The dealership told me they were aware of the problem with the head gasket. At the time mine was being repaired there were 2 other Neons in the shop with the same problem. This was stated by the service manager mark mendez. He also stated that this was a common problem with Neons that were produced before 1999. My car needed work done after my 3 year/36000 mile warranty expired.
Would like to add my (now) 2 experiences to the mix of many, in regards to head gasket problems with the 1996 Dodge Neon line of vehicles. This seems to be a very common problem, and Chrysler has done nothing to ease the costs of this problem for hundreds of thousands of customers. I have replaced the head gasket (under extended warranty) twice now. The first time the blown head gasket caused enough damage that the entire engine head had to be replaced the first time. As I was writing this, I received a call from the 5-star Chrysler dealership/service shop who is doing the work for a second time now (the car was also purchased there), and found out I will be without the car for another week because this time the damage is requiring replacement of the entire engine due to warping. Even though this is covered by extended warranty, I have to pay $100 about every 20,000 miles to have this problem fixed. I am told Chrysler is on their 6th revision of this gasket, but no recall or consumer warning has been made public. Searching through the internet, it is staggeringly easy to find many others who are having this same problem. This costs me money and the inconvenience of being without one of my vehicles for a known problem.
I have had multiple problems on a 96 Neon. I think around 35,000 miles (10/29/98) that the head gasket blew. I took it to be fixed at a cost of $100 covered under warranty. Again at 50,000 + miles (4/29/99) we had to take it in again for a blown head gasket. In addition, I think this was the time that we had to replace some kind of front oil seal. We also had them try to fix the speed gauge that had started acting strange. When the speed gauge acted up so did all the other lights on the dash come on for no reason. They replaced the cable but we soon found out that it didn't help. This was at a cost of $114.58 covered under warranty. At 75,000 (12/3/99) back again for some oil seal around the spark plugs and the changing spark plugs etc. Mostly under warranty at a total cost to me of $134.41. This did not fix the problem so I took it back for more charges of $197.43. I was also told that I needed to replace something in the dash to keep the warranty good so that the tachometer would still work. I told them to get the parts ordered because they told me it would be more than five days to get this done and my warranty only covers a rental for 5 days. I have not heard back from them. Two days ago, I changed the oil and it was leaking from the front seal (or it seems to me). Yesterday the service eng. Light comes on. I will be contacting bob allen Chrysler in danville Monday to see what they will do. My point is that Chrysler needs to help all of us that have problems with the head gasket. One of the service workers told me that they worked on way to many of the Neons for head gaskets. I have also had the electrical problems with the dash and the car seat does not lock into place very well when you adjust it.
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- Fort Ann, NY, USA