1996 Dodge Neon complaints

THIS CAR IS JUNK, THE HEAD GASKETS, AIR CONDITIONING, BRAKES, ELECTRICAL, EVERYTHING IS BAD. IF YOU CALL THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, THEY ACT LIKE ITS A RARE INCIDENT. FROM WHAT I'VE READ, THIS IS NOT TRUE. PLEASE HELP SQUEEZE THIS LEMON! *AK

ORIGINAL AND REPLACED HEAD GASKET BOTH LEAKED OIL.

MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN FEB. 1996. WITHIN ONE YEAR IT HAD BEEN RECALLED AND SERVICED FOR SEVERAL REASONS. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. THE AMOUNT OF GAS ON THE READING REVEALED 1/4 OF THE TANK STILL FULL, HOWEVER THE TANK WAS ACTUALLY EMPTY. ALSO WITHIN THAT YEAR I BEGAN NOTICING WATER IN THE BACK SEAT AND IN THE SPARE WHEEL WELL, DUE TO A LEAK IN THE REAR WINDOW SEAL. SIX MONTHS LATER THE SAME VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING OIL AND WHEN SERVICED IT WAS FOUND TO BE A HEAD GASKET LEAK. THE GASKET AND IT'S COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IN ADDITION TO OTHER RECALLS THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. HOWEVER, WITHIN THE FOUR YEARS THIS CAR HAS BEEN REVEALING SYMPTOMS THAT ARE UNBELIEVABLE FOR SUCH SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. IT HAS CURRENTLY BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ANOTHER FAULTY HEAD GASKET. THE VEHICLE IS BEYOND THE THREE YEAR WARRANTY AND IS EXPRESSING THE SAME SYMPTOMS THAT IT HAS HAD IN THE FIRST YEAR. I AM SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM OR WARRANTIES THAT MAY APPLY. *AK

HAVE READ COMPLAINTS ON HEAD GASKETS, TAKING CAR TO DEALERSHIP TOMORROW TO HAVE OURS REPLACED, IT HAS BEEN LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR. TIME FOR A RECALL!!*AK

CAR STALLED AFTER OVERHEATING. VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS BLOWING WHITE SMOKE FROM TAILPIPE. DEALER STATED HEAD GASKET FAILURE, BUT NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS BLOWING ANTIFREEZE INSTEAD OF OIL. VEHICLE HAD JUST HAD CYLINDER COVER, SPARK PLUG SEALS AND TUBES REPLACED AND ENGINE TUNEUP 6 DAYS PRIOR TO HEAD CASKET FAILURE. DEALERSHIP WAS INFORMED AT THAT TIME THAT VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING, BUT THEY STATED THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG OTHER THAN IT NEEDING A TUNE UP.*AK

THIS CAR HAS A DEFECT IN THE HEAD GASKET - MANY COMPLAINTS FROM MANY OWNERS ON THIS ISSUE. *AK

AFTER STOPPING A COUPLE OF TIMES, AND AT THIRD TIME STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIED AND SHOOK. *AK FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ON BOTH SIDES DECOMPOSED AND FLAKED OFF INCHUNKS WHICH GET CAUGHT UNDER BRAKE PADS CAUSIGN THE STEERING UNCONTROLABLE. ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. *YH

VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY LEAKING OIL. DEALER HAS ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH CRANKSHAFT REAR MAIN OIL FIELD WHICH WAS NOT A PART OF THE PREVIOUS RECALL. *AK

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 7599. DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT A NEW ENGINE HARNESS IS REQUIRED. *AK

THE DEALERSHIP WAS TERRIBLE-MINUS 5 STARS. TOOK THE CAR TO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. THEY DID A GOOD JOB. WILL THINK TWICE ABOUT BUYING ANOTHER CHRYSLER CAR. NO SAFETY DEFECT STATED IN SUMMARY. *AK

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED MISSING WHEN DRIVING AT 30 MPH. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN THE HEAD GASKET BLEW. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL. A TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A BLOWNOUT HEAD GASKET.*AK

SEVERE ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAK OCCURRED QUICKLY. CONTACTS WITH CHRYSLER DENIALS THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS. *AK

AT 11,000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED. THIS SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITH THAT FEW MILES ON THE ENGINE. IT WOULD SEEM THAT THE GASKET IS FAULTY. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ISSUED.*AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAS NOT BEEN CHANGED YET AS OF JUNE 26, 2000.*AK

DROVE VEHICLE INTO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR ROUTINE OIL SERVICE, AND WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. *AK

PAINT DEFECTIVE, PEELING FROM TRUNK SECTION. NO ACCIDENT OR VANDALISM CAUSED PAINT TO PEEL. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

LEAKING HEAD GASKET FOUND WHILE BEING TUNED -UP AT THE LUBE CENTER PLUS, FREDERICK, MD. *AK

HEAD GASKET WARPED DIAGNOSED AT DEALER WHEN WAS HAVING ANOTHER REPAIR, WIRING HARNESS SHORT CAUSED SMOKE TO FILL CAR WHILE DRIVING HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER.

MY HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING AND HAS RECENTLY MADE MY CAR START TO OVERHEAT. MY SPEEDOMETER HAS ALSO NOT BEEN WORKING SINCE ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR AND I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO BE REPAIRED APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES AND IT IS STILL NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. *AK

I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL AND I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT REPAIRED. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY QUOTED ME $700.00. I THEN FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE AND WHEN I CALLED AGAIN THEY SAID THE PLYMOUTH IS MEETING CUSTOMERS HALFWAY AND THEY WOULD PAY FOR HALF. BY READING ALL OF THESE OTHER COMPLAINTS, THERE IS A MAJOR DEFECT WITH THE HEAD GASKETS ONTHE NEONS AND I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING.. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL...................*AK

BRAKES DO NOT CATCH WHEN NEEDED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE LOSES POWER. *AK

CAR STALLS OUT SPONTANEOUSLY AS IT IS BEING DRIVEN. SPEED IS NOT AN ISSUE. TIME OF DAY IS NOT AN ISSUE. MOISTURE IS NOT AN ISSUE. DODGE DEALERSHIPS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PINPOINT PROBLEM. CONCERNED TO BE DRIVING ON FAST ROADWAY AND HAVE ENGINE FAIL . *AK

APPARENTLY, THE HEAD GASKET SITUATION IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. AT 66K MILES, I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FAN UNIT BECUASE "IT IS WORN OUT." THE MANUFACTURER'S MAINTENANCE BOOK HAS NO MENTION OF SUCH REPLACEMENT AT 66K--I THINK THAT HAD I BEEN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN UNNECESSARY INJURIES DUE TO UNEXPECTED "CHEAPLY" MADE PARTS. -- NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY A CHRYSLER/DODGE CAR. *AK

DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY BROKE FROM INSIDE OF THE HOOD, CAUSING LIGHT TO JUMP AROUND WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. HEAD LIGHT IS SO LOOSE IT WILL FALL OUT AND DEALERSHIP REPRESENATIVE SAID IT IS MY RESPONSIBLILITY TO FIX. 214.00 PLUS LABOR AND TAX. I DO NOT FEEL THAT A HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLE SHOULD CRACK UNLESS THERE HAS BEEN AN ACCIDENT. IF THE HEADLIGHT DOES SHORT OUT OR FALL OF THIS COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF LIGHTS WHILE TRAVELING ATVERY DANGEROUS. I AM VERY CONCERED SINCE THIS OUR CAR THAT MY DAUGHTER HAS TO DRIVE BACK AND FORTH TO COLLEGE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY A DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT BE CONCERED FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CONSUMERS. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILURES BEGAN ON THIS VEHICHE AT APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MI AND CONTINUE. *AK

I'M VERY UPSET THAT THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS IN THE 1995 AND 96 NEON'S YET THEY HAVEN'T BEEN RECALLED. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED AND MAY HAVE TO LET THE CAR GO. PLEASE CONTACT ME REGARDING THIS. 419-946-4295. *AK

WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED FROM OUR REPAIR SHOP THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF CHRYSLER VEHICLES, NEON, CIRRUS,AND. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY.

DODGE NEON ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE KNOWN TO LEAK - MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR REPAIR OF A KNOWN DEFECT. MY COST WAS $1004. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWN OUT THREE TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NO SUMMARY PROVIDED

SEVERE OIL LEAK; THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE NEONS BUT DODGE REFUSES TO FIX. THIS PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR DUE TO CAR ACCIDENT. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED. *AK

BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS HAVE COME UNBOLTED AND FALLEN TO THE "FLOOR" TWICE ON EACH SIDE. THE WINDOW ON THE PASSANGER SIDE HAS SCRATCHES IN THE ACTUAL GLASS. THIS IS CAUSED BY SOMETHING INSIDE THE DOOR. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER NEONS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.

IN SEVERIAL NEON'S THERE HAS BEEN WATER DAMAGE DUE TO IMPROPERLY SEALED TRUNKS AND REAR LIGHTS. WATER COMES IN. SETTLES IN TIRE WELL, THEN SEEPS INTO BACK SEAT AND ONTO FLOOR. TO GET THIS FIXED $720. IN COST. THE BACK AREA FILLS UP WITH WATER. THE RUGS MILDEW AS WELL AS THE REAR SEAT. THE BOLTS ON DRIVERS SEAT RUSTED IN SHORT TIME.

THIS CAR HAS HAD 3 TRANSMISSIONS AND NOW NEEDS ANOTHER WITH ONLY 56,200 MILES. IT HAS ALSO HAD A STARTER, RADIATOR,BATTERY, 7 FRONT RIGHT TIRES(NONE FROM NAILS ETC.),2 HEAD GASKETS,EGR VALVE,MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH, 2 SETS OF BRAKES(WHICH STILL MAKE NOISE). OUR MECHANIC HAS TOLD US THAT THE 96 NEON IS A LEMON. THE BRAKES ARE MADE FROM A METAL THAT RUSTS VERY QUICKLY AND THE HEAD GASKETS ARE FAULTY AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS. WHAT CAN I SAY ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION?? IS 4 TOO MANY FOR A CAR WITH ONLY 50+THOUSAND MILES?? HELP!!!!( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 1857014 )

I HAVE CONTACTED YOUR AGENCY ON SEVERAL OCASSIONS WITH NO REPLY OR RESULTS. JUST BY BROWSING THE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER NEON OWNERS, IT IS OBVIOUS THIS CAR HAS PROBLEMS. IF YOU CANNOT INTERVENE ON THE BEHALF OF THE CONSUMERS, THEN WHY WASTE OUR TIME. WE MAY AS WELL JUST PUT IT IN THE HANDS OF LAWYERS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

OIL LEAKS, RADITOR SMOKING.

EVERY TIME IT RAINS, WATER COMES IN THROUGH THE AREA WHERE THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR MEETS WITH THE BODY OF THE CAR, CAUSING RAIN TO POOL ON THE FLOOR OF THE BACK SEAT AND THEN THE SEAT GETS WET AND THE BACK OF THE SEAT ALSO. I HAVE MADE SURE THAT WINDOW AND DOOR ARE SECURELY CLOSED. I CAN SEE NO OBVIOUS REASON FOR THE RAIN TO BE GETTING INTO THE CAR. IT ONLY DOES IT ON THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF WAYS TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE CAR IS IN MINT CONDITION AND I WOLD LIKE TO KEEP IT THAT WAY. NOW THE CARPET AND SEAT SMELLS MUSY AND I CAN'T LET MY CHILDREN RIDE IN THE CAR. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO YOUR ORGANIZATION BY MANY NEON AND STRATUS OWNERS, WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS? *AK

THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED NOW,THE HEAD GASKETS ARE DEFECTIVE AND THEY KNOW IT, I'M TIRED OF OIL FLOWING OUT OF THE BACK OF THE ENGINE, ALL OVER THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH WILL CAUSE A FIRE,, PLEASE HELP. *AK

I HAVE BECOME AWARE OF THIS "HEAD GASKET" PROBLEM THROUGH DODGE NEON MESSAGE BOARDS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND HAVING THE GASKET REPLACED FOR $500.55 PARTS AND LABOR. I HOPE THIS PROBLEM DOESN'T OCCUR AS OFTEN AS ALL THE INQUIRIES SUGGESTED. PERHAPS YOU SHOULD RECALL THE LINE OF VEHICLES, RIGHT THE WRONGS, OR REIMBURSE BUYERS OF YOUR PRODUCTS THE EXPENCES THAT OCCUR BUT SHOULDN'T. PLEASE CONTACT ME BY PHONE OR MAIL TO DISCUSS THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *AK

CHRONIC OIL LEAK DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE, CHRONIC CLUNKING IN RIGHT FRONT EITHER STEERING OR SUSPENSION PROBLEM WHICH AFTER MULTIPLE TRIPS FOR SERVICE REMAINS UNCORRECTED. *AK

WWW.CARPOINT.COM STATED THERE IS OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE BLOCK FOR THIS MODEL. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES CAR SHUTS DOWN. NONE OF THE GAUGES WORK. DEALER WILL BE CONTACTED. *AK

THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED OIL, SO HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHAT I AM ANGRY ABOUT IS CHRYSLER KNEW THAT THE ORGINAL PART WAS FAULTY, HENCE THEY RE-DESIGNED THE PLACEMENT PART. HOWEVER, THEY ARE MAKING THEIR CUSTOMERS PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKE, WHICH I THINK IS WRONG. I HAVE RECENTLY SEEN WHERE FORD IS REIMBURSING THEIR CUSTOMERS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM (FAULTY HEAD GASKET). WHY WOULDN'T CHRYSLER DO THE SAME THING TO KEEP THEIR CUSTOMERS HAPPY?*AK

THE HEAD GASKET ON MY DODGE NEON NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME AT ONLY 76,000 MILES.(CONVENIENTLY OUT OF WARRANTY). I KNOW SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. DODGE HAS BEEN CONTACTED BUT NO REPLY HAS BEEN GIVEN.

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? *AK

AN OIL LEAKAGE DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE WHICH CAUSES DAMAGE TO ENGINE. MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF DEFECT, BUT WILL NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL LEAKING FROM VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK