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.
Through the life of owning this car. I have had to replace the head gasket several times 3 times in last 2 years alone and replace the engine. The head gasket still leaks and no one can seem to fix it even the dealer. I have talked to other people that have Neons and they are experiencing the same exact head gasket problem. Why hasn't there been a recall for this. This is an extremely costly repair.
The contact owns a 1997 Dodge Neon. The headlights and high beams are very dim. The bulbs were replaced; however, the lights remained dim. Oil was placed in the vehicle, but then leaked onto the ground, causing the oil warning indicator light to illuminate intermittently. The contact noticed a grayish-colored smoke exiting the rear of the vehicle. The repair shop stated that the failure was caused by a blown head gasket. The failure mileage was 97,000 and current mileage was 140,301.
Oil leakage, head gasket replaced 2X in 1997, again head gasket is blown, cam and transmission leakage also. Car has always leaked a bit of oil daily; however, oil changes every 2000 miles coupled with weekly level checks maintained ability to drive vehicle. As of 2/05, oil leaking profusely via passenger portion of engine gasket. Mechanic confirms blown head gasket, says this is a known defect of the Neons as a whole. I have chosen to not repair head gasket at my expense at this time. I purchased vehicle new in Oct. 1996, as a new year Neon for 1997. I maintained the vehicle meticiously, and both the body and interior are in excellent condition (body has no rust). Car has 88,000 miles currently. I am very disappointed in Dodge's lack of concern and responsibility in producing a quality car. I bought this new and had hope to transfer it to my daughter who will be leaving for college soon. Replacing a headgasket twice should assure me, the buyer, that I can maintain my car without suddenly finding out this was a damaged vehicle from the get go, and now I have to find alternate transportation to work while I set time aside to quickly find another car. Shame on Dodge!
Engine started leaking oil and head gasket was replaced in 1999. Now the engine is leaking oil again and mechanics have said the head gasket is blown again.
Took vehicle in to repair shop after noticing an oil leak. They told me at first it was normal leaking from routine oil change. Then thanksgiving day 2001, at freeway speeds (75 mph) the head gasket blew. Oil went every where. I had oil even in the coolant system. Took to my personal mechanic, he told me he has seen this many times before with Neon's. final price to fix problem $987.36, head gasket replaced coolant system flushed out, etc. Now I need a new radiator because of it. Seems to be common with this year of vehicle. My friend had a 1998 Dodge Neon that the head gasket was recalled in and she was able to get it fixed for free. Obviously for consumer satisfaction it would be in Chrysler best interest to acknowledge, at the very least, that they have produced a less than satisfactory engine component in the 1997 Neon. What I would like to see is that some of the money, if not all, is refunded back to us. Otherwise I am satisfied with my Neon. It is out of commission right now due to needing a water pump. I purchased the vehicle December 20th, 1996 and have been the only owner.
- Grantsville, UT, USA
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Vehicle's brakes malfunctioned. The vehicle had other problems such as a bad battery, alternator, three turn signal switches, a blown head gasket, sticking throttle body, an oil pan leak, all four windows had an air leak which whistle when the vehicle was driven at high speeds.
1997 Dodge Neon, color lapuis blue, I am the original and only owner. Not only have I had a series of engine repairs between 40,000 to 80,000 miles, the same as I've read on dozen's of other consumer complaints, I now have the peeling lapuis blue paint which started slowly peeling a year ago. The paint now blows off the car as I drive. This car has cost the consumers thousands of dollars, and should have been recalled for all the defects in this car.
The consumer saw oil leaking from the vehicle. The dealership informed the consumer that the problem pertained to a head gasket failure. The mechanic did not resolve the problem. On June 3rd 2002, the consumer had to have the transmission re-built. The main gear had a crack in the casting and started to loose teeth. The consumer noticed the casing of the transmission was wet. The heads of the engine were warped. The dealers in both case only changed the gasket and not checking to see if the head was warped. When the vehicle was cold in the morning, it wouldn't engage in reverse for up to 30 seconds, then clunks in hard and if driving when still cold, it seemed to shift in and out of gear. (and shifts hard from 2nd to 3rd and over revs in 2nd prior to shifting)
The vehicle consumer excessive amounts of oil due to a blown head gasket. The head gasket was replaced but the problem recurred 2 years later. The head gasket needs to be replaced again.
I own a 1997 Dodge Neon - a model (and apparently, the Dodge brand itself) that has a reputation for blowing head gaskets at about 60,000 miles because of a poor composite material the gaskets were made out of. Just today, I found the tell-tale sign of fluid mixture (oil in my coolant lines) that indicates a head gasket failure. I called Chrysler and explained my situation, and the customer service rep told me that based on my car's year and the mileage (approx 54800), there was nothing they could do. I've scoured the internet and found countless tales of "secret warranties" and "customer goodwill money." Stories about Chrysler paying for the entire cost of a replacement, $100 deductables, 50/50 split policies, and of course, down-right refusals and denials of the problem itself, which Chrysler acknowledged in a service bulliten, located here: www.Neons.org/neontsb/tsb/09/090598.htm they know about the problem, and have for many years, but continue to deny customers the appropriate compensation for a problem that is their fault. I'm going to call my local Dodge dealers to see if I can get any different answers from them, but I doubt it. My complaint stands!
I had bought 2 new Dodge Neons, 1997 & 1998. First 1998 Neon had engine gasket problem, DaimlerChrysler fixed it &I paid $100 as I had extended warranty. Now 1997 Neon with lower mileage has same engine gasket problem. Two cars same problem. Requested daimler-Chrysler to fix the problem as this is manufacturing problem DaimlerChrysler is refusing to fix it. Please make DaimlerChrysler fix this for all Neon owners this is similar to the Jeep car problem after you all got after them they are fixing the Jeep problem for the Jeep customers without any charge. The engine gasket problem is an inherent problem with Neon cars.
I purchased this vehicle 5-15-03 and noticed an oil leak the size of a 50 cent piece every time the vehicle was driven. When purchasing I asked if the head gasket problems had been taken care of on Neon's, and was told it is not an issue anymore. I had an oil change today 7-18-03 and was told that I needed a new head gasket and it was an often done repair at a cost of $700! after researching on the internet and finding hundreds of complaints about head gasket failure on this particular model, I am more than slightly displeased that Dodge, knowing of the problem, and even having a service bulletin out regarding this very problem is interested in taking care of it's owners, I will not be buy a Dodge, Chrysler, or Plymouth ever again!
Purchased car in October or 1996. Replaced head gasket in 1998 due to oil leaking in spark plugs. Then again in 2001. Now 2003 and oil in spark plugs again.
Dodge Neon 1997, I found out today the head gasket was cracked, I was told by 4 different mechanics, 2 were Dodge mechanics, that they are always fixing the head gaskets and it was a design flaw, the gasket was too thin, I have changed the oil every 2500-3000 miles the car was never run hard and is very well maintained they need to issue a recall for this problem.
My daughter just turned 16 and bought a used 1997 Dodge Neon with 60,000 miles. The dealer told her of what had been done and replaced. One of his selling points was a new head gasket had been installed. Well it's been just over the 3 month, 3000 miles and the head gasket blew, spilling oil all over the highway. I went to the web, and to my horror this has happened to alot of people. The roads are being made hazardous with slippery oil and people are getting ripped off by a badly designed engine. Chrysler should recall them. I know you are well aware of the problem and hope your Agency can make Chrysler recall this accident waiting to happen.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Phila, PA, USA