Have persistent oil leak. Went to mechanic, stated should be a recall. Contacted DaimlerChrysler and did not find a recall. Because of the problem got gasket fixed 2001. Have same problem now and two new mechanics have advised I need a head gasket.everyone I talk to at chyrsler is aware of the problem. Now what do I do?

- Marietta, GA, USA

Head gasket leak. Chrysler refuses to own up to a faulty gasket. Why? many people have this problem.

- Niagara Falls, NY, USA

I have a 1996 Neon which I purchased used in August of 2001 with only 35,000 miles on it. About 3 months ago I took it in for my monthly oil change/lube and was told that my head gasket was cracked and that I would need to get it replaced. They told me it would be a $1200 repair. I began to call around and each place, when I mentioned the problem and the year/make/model of my car, told me that they could have guessed what the repair was that I needed just by me giving them the type of car I drive. I've called 5 places now to get a quote on this repair and prices range anywhere between $700 - $1200, depending on the shop I use. By the way - I lose about a quart of oil per week. I wanted to do a little research to see how common of a problem this is, so I went on the internet and found so many complaints that it blew my mind! I found out that there was a defect in the head gasket design in pre-99 models and Chrysler knew about it. It was never recalled, but as far as I am concerned it is a huge consumer fraud issue. I have found that 32% of Neon owners have had to replace this part - which is obviously extremely high. It really is too bad that Chrysler did not stand up for their product right away by voluntarily issuing a recall or by at least fixing the cars that were affected before the part was redesigned. I cannot afford a repair like this on my car - I bought a Neon because I thought they were reliable cars with great gas mileage, which I need for my long commute to work every day. If this is a problem the manufacturer knew about, I feel that they should be paying for the repair. What can I do?!

- Lindon, UT, USA

Head gasket leak...was replaced twice...finally a different style that was not faulty was released...fibrous gasket leaked, whereas the multilayer metal gasket didn't.

- East Tawas, MI, USA

Head gasket failed.

- Albertville, MN, USA

In April 2000, head gasket blew, was informed by mechanic to call Chrysler Corp. Called them and they sent me to Chrysler dealer. Had to pay 195 for diagnostic test. They repaired the head gasket. Aslo informed them of water entering the rear of the car thru side windows. They claimed they water tested it and found no water leak. Now 26 months later, noticed another leak, took to mechanic was told head gasket needs replacing. Contact Chrysler, they said it was not under warranty. When is someone going to look into this. My complaint makes 108 on head gaskets only. That is 108 people who have spent monies on something that should be recalled. If this is not resolved chrylser/Plymouth will have lost another customer. Does someone have to die in order for something to be done?

- Freeport, NY, USA

O rings on air conditioning unit replaced on 6-23-00, evaportation coil replaced on 9-12-00. Plug, senor-oxygen, exhaust, wiring pkg-postive cable replaced 10-2-00, temperature probe replaced 7-19-01. Air conditioning failed again in August, 2001. I have also replaced the inner outer left tie rods 4-9-98, head gasket 1-28-00, oil sending unit 3-3-00, rear main seal and bedplate 5-9-00.

- Spring Lake, MI, USA

Vehicle stalls at any speeds almost causing an accident. Vehicle loses all power and will not restart. Vehicle runs hot and rough as motor oil leaks out. A quart once a week progressed to every 2-3 days due to leaking out. Independent mechanic had to replace head gaskets.

- East Farmingdale, NY, USA

Loss of oil while driving, and oil leakages while parked. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that problem is a blown head gasket. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Rochelle, IL, USA

Head gasket blew out. When checking engine there was coolant on floorboard. Contacted dealer, and they were going to take a look at vehicle.

- Disputanta, VA, USA

While vehicle was being serviced technician noticed an oil leak from head gasket. Consumer wants Chrysler company to pay for the repair.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

From my mechanic's description, this is a major problem with this model, to the point a new style gasket is available but at a cost of well over $800+ in repair costs to the consumer, and I understand a lawsuit is being proposed.

- Leonardo, NJ, USA

Head gasket cracked, causing water to go into radiator. In less than a year head gasket cracked again, spraying oil over the engine. Contacted dealer, and had to replace head gaskets twice.

- Wintersville, OH, USA

For the second time now my car has a leaky gasket (which has contributed to having to replace the radiator this time as well). I have heard endless stories of this happening to Neons-when will a recall be enforced? this is obviously not an isolated problem when it is common knowledge among mechanics and owners of Neons that this could happen.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

Oil leak discovered December 1998 (45838 miles on car.) diagnosed engine head gasket by dealer service. Worked deal with Chrysler since per investigation this appeared to be a common problem. They fixed for 1/2 warranty cost ($180 paid by me.) February 1999 (47364 miles on car) the leak reoccurred. Dealership replaced at no charge. December 2001 (93648 miles on car) oil leak checked by third party service organization and diagnosed the head gasket leak again (approximate cost to fix $1,400) there is an obvious design/engineering flaw in the engine/head gasket. There should have been a recall and fix to this problem. I have never had to replace even one head gasket on any vehicle I have ever owned and this one has now had the original and two replacements and now needs a third replacement prior to 100,000 miles on the car. Again, my research shows me that this is a very common problem on this vehicle and when I questioned the last replacement, the dealership stated the head gasket was newly engineered and should take care of the problem. Now, not only did I have to pay $180 back then that should have been taked care of by a recall; now I am gioing to have to basically give the care away since I refuse to get it fixed again if it is going to cost me any money. Chrysler's inability to claim responsibility for an obvious design/engineering flaw and lack of action to recall and fix this problem has cost them this customer for life and as many people as I can tell about this issue.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

I have spoke with numerouse mechanics and Neon owners and they have all had the same problem. They comment as saying Neons are netorious for faulty head gaskets. I had problems with the one the factory installed. So I went to the dealer and purchased another head gasket and replaced that one and now 2years later it need to be replaced agian. This if rediculous. I have heard that the head gasget that was issued was faulty and they reissued a high preformance one. To my knowledge there has not been a recall. This is a very expensive thing to fix. I would understand if it was basic maitnance. That does not seem to be the case in any of the ones I have came across. If you took the time to speak to Neon service departments and owners you would see that it is an overwhelming issue that needs to be addresed and the owners of these vehicals should be compensated. Thank you for your time and the work that you do to help the concumer, damien michel.

- Puyallup, WA, USA

Vehicle is leaking oil from underneath. Consumer took vehicle to a garage.

- Laguna Wood, CA, USA

Since the purchase of this 1996 Plymouth Neon, in March 17,1997 there has been numerous problems. Starting with camshaft seal. Oil leakage around head gasket many times, radiator recall, multiple cylinder misfire, break repairs, master cylinder seals swollen, rubber trans return cooler line cracked, rebuilt trans and replaced seals, fuel pump replacement, replace rear main seal, replace pan gasket, replace oxygen sensor, and recent trans failure.

- Paddock Lake, WI, USA

Brake calipers froze causing the brakes to remain on. This caused the brakes to wear down into the rotors. Head gasket at the drivers side, rear, towards top leaks oil down over the engine. Cam sensor gasket leaks oil down over the engine.

- West St Paul, MN, USA

Engine head gasket developed a crack which allowed oil to leak from engine. Consumer had this repaired in 1998, and in may of 2001 was having same problem with vehicle. Head gasket has developed another crack and was leaking oil. If the oils spills on the hot engine, there could be fire. Changing head gasket every 2-3 years is a serious problem.

- Puyallup, WA, USA