As I was driving down the road with my lights on, I began to see and smell smoke coming from steering column. I turn the lights off and the smoke cleared up and went away. After some time, I turned the lights back on with no problem to be found at this time. A week or so later the headlight switch would not work unless you pulled the high beam switch, then and only as you held the switch the lights would work. ( if you have never sit and held the switch while driving at night ( of course ) to get home it is no fun. ) that week end I pulled the covers off the column and pulled the harness out of switch to find it was melted. Needless to say I am down a vehicle until this is fixed. Luckily there was no fire.

- Baileyton, AL, USA

Started to see smoke and then the headlights stopped working properly. After disassembling the wiring connector from the headlight switch, I discovered the connector had overheated to the point it was charred and crumbling to pieces. This is not a misuse by operator, but a safety failure of the electrical system. This could have resulted in a fire as the fuse protecting this circuit did not fail when the circuit obviously overheated and melted and charred the plastic connector.

- Tooele, UT, USA

I have a new 2003 Dodge Neon that has never been wrecked and so far the shifter boot has torn(was replaced) but is now cracking again (it's [xxx] cold where I live, -50 to -60 happens). I had an oil leak that was blamed on me by anchorage Chrysler, I reported that the right rear brakes always sqeal when applied (I was told thats dust) but it's happenes every day. I needed an wheel alignment (car puuls to the left) and I'm told you cant align a Neon. You can part of the alignment but were sorry [xxx] it will always pull to the left because it is not adjustable.the alignment came from lithia in anchorage Alaska (they are great people) I dont blame them 1 bit they didnt make a car that cant be fixed(Dodge did). Anchorage Chrysler was my best friend until I brought my car in for repairs then they actually told me the reason I have problems with it is because it's a cheap no good car. I sent an E-mail to Dodge asking why they would build such a vehicle that could never be aligned and they said we try to make everybody happy. Not once getting to the question "why" what was the reasoning behind such a stupid idea. I love my car but because of this 1 flaw I cant wait to get rid of it. I'm checking into a MINIneed to make sure it can be fixed if needed first. The car still pulls to the left(rather hard at times), the shifter boot is still splitting, the brakes still squeek. And now I'm wondering if the fuel gauge is correct. Anybody want to buy a nice "looking" Neon with low miles. I dont remember the actuall incident dates. This is an ongoing thing information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Glennallen, AK, USA

Consumer complained about a control arm bushings problem. Bushing are wearing out every 8,000 miles. Owner contacted manufacturer and dealer, who offered the owner replacement, however, because of the control arm bushings wearing thin the vehicle had a problem with the steering, as well. Vehicle could not pass inspection.

- Canada, 00, USA