10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
20,813 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

1997 Dodge Neon engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Dodge Neon Owner Comments

problem #17

Feb 092009

Neon

  • 39,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I made a short trip to a local store and large amounts of smoke started coming from the front of my car. The car was overheating and I had to stop and pull over. The car had to be towed to the dealership. The car had a head gasket failure.which cost $920 to repair. Although the vehicle is old (1997), it only has 39,000 miles on it and it is ridiculous for something like this to happen to car with such low mileage. I have done quite a bit of research online to find that several Neon owners have had this same problem. The 1995-1997 models have been predominantly affected by this problem. I contacted Chrysler about this and they will take no responsibility for this.

- Mason, OH, USA

problem #16

Nov 282008

Neon

  • miles
Safety/emissions reprt states recall on my vehicle/ defect number: Dr-1158. The solid state fan relay may fail because of heat rellated electrical over stress causing the fan to stop and the vehicle to over heat.

- Randolph, MA, USA

problem #15

Feb 212008

(reported on)

Neon

  • miles
1997 Dodge Neon caught fire. Consumer would like any info available about the problems that cause fires in the mid nineties model year Dodge Neons. The consumer was injured. (lawyer wrote in on behalf of client)

- Calgary, 00, USA

problem #14

Nov 112004

Neon 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My fiancee bought a 97 Dodge Neon from a friend at 35,000 miles. Now at 70, xxx the vehicle started to leak oil, I was putting in 3 quarts a week, the car runs very rough and the check engine light is on andi cant afford to tow it to a shop to find the problem (maybe cause ive spent all my money on oil due to the head gasket leaking?) I am in the middle of repairing my self just takeing a break from the chaos and my back hurts. Many Neon have this problem the manufacturers redesigned a new head gasket, is this thier way of saying " hey we at Dodge messed up bad and now you and thousands of other people can pay $600 -$1,000 to get it fixed" another bullitin from car quest say the oil leaks due to the cam sensor cover ile find out shortly I assume and if thats the case why arent any of these other mechanics catching that or do the know and just say it is the head gasket for more money from you? and I guess there was property damage my parents nice new drive has Dodge dirty oil stains all over it, thanks Dodge !! -- @$#holes!!

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #13

Sep 012004

Neon 4-cyl

  • miles
The vehicle's head gasket failed although it only had 44000 miles on it.

- Orfordville, WI, USA

problem #12

May 212004

Neon

  • 72,000 miles
While driving 65 mph head gasket and fuel pump failed without warning. As a result vehicle over eated. Dealer replaced the parts, and 2 1/2 years later, the same parts failed again.

- Norton, MA, USA

problem #11

May 152003

Neon

  • Manual transmission
  • 0 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Head gasket failure

- Calgary, UN, USA

problem #10

Oct 152003

Neon

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles
The biggest problem I have is the engine oil leaking. It is so costly to repair everytime. I never contacted the Dodge company since I though that I GTO a bad car.

- Round Lake, IL, USA

problem #9

Aug 151999

Neon

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,878 miles
I own a 1997 Dodge Neon. Purchased June 1997. This car too date has approximately 27,500 original miles on it. Starting in August 1999 I had to have the head gasket replaced on 3 occasions.I had to have the same repair job done again in July 2001 when I had only put another 7,108 on the car. May 2003 I had for the 3rd time the same repair jobe done when my car reached 26152 (7,166 miles added after 2nd repair job). Too date the manufacture has paid the repair bills with the exception of a $100 deductible I had to pay the last time they reapired it. I protested having to pay the $100 because I felt the manufactur should have paid the complete bill. They refused to refund my money. This car has on ongoing problem with the head gasket. My fear is the manufacture will refuse to pay the repair bill the next time this happens and I don't know what my legal rights are because I feel I have a lemon.it seems the problem comes up as soon as I put 7,000 miles on the car. I had only put 14,000 miles from the first time this repair job took lace to the 3rd repair job. I have tried to talk to Chrysler about the secret warranty I found on the internet for this very problem and was informed by a customer service rep.that the secret warranties are illegal and they do not honor them. I have been told by several mechanics this is a well know ongoing problem with the Neon's and Chrysler is well aware of it. I woul appreciate if I can receive any advice regarding whether or not my car falls under the lemon law considering the age of the car.

- Egg Harbor Twp, NJ, USA

problem #8

Apr 152003

Neon

  • Manual transmission
  • 79,950 miles
First of all, my car has been leaking oil for quite a few months now...I just kept putting a quart in every now and then. Well, when I went to get the car inspected at pep boys, they said that my head gasket was leaking. They recommended me getting an estimate and the work done at an authorized Dodge dealer. I want to find out more information from your organization or from Dodge on the head gasket problems that Dodge Neons have. I didn't know this until very recently. I have no repair date or cost yet. I was hoping to get information before I get an appointment/fixed. Can't this be a recall" if so many people have this problem with their Neons why doesn't Dodge fix them" I am paying a car loan on this and it needs fixed already...and it is a major fix.

- Shiremanstown, PA, USA

problem #7

Mar 302004

(reported on)

Neon

  • 38,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission was rebuilt, main gear cracked, and head gasket problems. In addition, the consumer requested information on recalls and what justifies them. The main gear experienced a crack in the casting and started to lost relating components. The consumer noticed that the casing of the transmission was wet. The consumer was told that the problem was the head gasket.

- Unknown, DC, USA

problem #6

Jan 282004

Neon 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
For the second time the defective head gasket caused oil to leak. I had it replaced once and I feel it's too much to replace it again. I understand this is a common problem and I can't understand why Dodge doesn't assist with fixing it right.

- Lawrence, MA, USA

problem #5

Feb 092003

Neon

  • miles
The vehicle overheated without warning.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #4

Jul 152002

Neon

  • miles
Temperature gauge went to hot/ smoke and liquid started pouring from vehicle. Took vehicle to dealer, and they stated that it was cooling fan relay.

- Malibu, CA, USA

problem #3

Apr 202000

Neon

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While parked, transmission fluid leaked out of vehicle. Dealer found transmission lines loose. Vehicle shifting by itself due to a sticky cable. Oil leak in engine. Dealer found headgasket failure. On several occasions engine runs rough. Camshaft replaced. Vehicle shakes and trembles while braking. Weatherstripping fell off on drivers side door. Antifreeze leaking. Dealer replaced water pump. Battery clamp loose causing battery light to stay on.

- Eau Claire, WI, USA

problem #2

Jun 072000

Neon

  • miles
Dash warning light came on, and then car overheated, consumer pulled over, and vehicle would not start again. Had to be towed.

- Bellflower, CA, USA

problem #1

Jun 082000

Neon

  • miles
Temperature gauge alarm went off, warning consumer that vehicle was running hot. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, and mechanic told consumer that head gasket had blown.

- Springfield, MI, USA

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