1997 Dodge Neon

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Defect. CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy. AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Defect. CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Defect. THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESIGN ALLOWS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN.

Risk. UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.

There are no injuries or fatalities associated with this alleged defect.while conducting this investigation, odi found that the subject cinches meet the load bearing requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, and that many of the reported failures were due to incorrect child safety seat installations. Additionally, the report rate is low (1.60/100k).the information available fails to establish the existence of a defect trend at this time.further allocation of agency resources to this issue is unwarranted and the preliminary evaluation is being closed.

Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.

THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES INSTALLATION OF A NEW COMPONENT TO ASSIST CAM SEAL RETENTION. *JB

SUBJECT REGARDING MISDIAGNOSED LEAK DETECTION PUMP SYSTEMS WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1494, P0442 P0455, OR P0456. *TT

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING MULTI-LAYER STEEL (MLS) HEAD GASKET INSTALLATION PROCEDURES. *TT

CONDITIONS WITH ENGINE ROUGHNESS / MISFIRE USUALLY ONLY APPARENT ON INITIAL COLD ENGINE START. *TT

INFORMATION ON RADIATOR FAN RELAY. *YC

I AM HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH MY 1997 DODGE NEON. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS NOTHING BUT CLICKS. I AM HAVING SO MUCH PROBLEMS TURNING ON MY SIGNAL LIGHTS. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I AM HOPING THAT THIS IS A RECALL SO I WON'T HAVE TO PAY SO MUCH MONEY OUT OF POCKET. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE NEON. WHILE PLACING FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE, THE FILLER TUBE FELL TO THE GROUND AND CAUSED GASOLINE TO LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FILLER TUBE HAD RUSTED OUT. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FILLER TUBE AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PERFORMING NORMALLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 130,000. UPDATED 10/06/09 *BF UPDATED 10/08/09

NONE OF MY VEHICLES HAVE LATCH SUPPORTED SYSTEMS ALTHOUGH ALL MY CARSEATS DO. IS IT STILL SAFE TO USE A CARSEAT WITH JUST A SEAT BELT? CAN THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS INSTALL THE LATCH SYSTEMS IN MY VEHICLES FOR FREE AS THIS IS A SAFETY REQUIREMENT FOR CARSEATS? I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS MYSELF OR GET A NEW VEHICLE. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=1997, MAKE=DODGE, MODEL=NEON). *TR

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. *TR

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. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG RANDOMLY DEPLOYED, WHILE GOING 4 MILES PER HOUR, THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO INITIATE THE DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG. THE DEPLOYMENT BUSTED OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT BLEW GLASS TO THE COMPLETE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

WHENEVER I SIT IN THE DRIVEWAY, OR LOOK FOR A PARKING SPACES, OR SIT IN TRAFFIC...THE CAR'S TEMPERATURE GAGE GOES ALL THE WAY TO HOT. I HAD IT DIAGNOSED AND THEY SAID THAT ITS THE FAN CONTROL MODULE OR RELAY...BASICALLY THE FANS STOP WORKING. *TR I HAD A NEW WATER PUMP PUT IN, A NEW THERMOSTAT, A NEW RADIATOR PUT, AND I"M BEGINNING TO THINK THAT ALL THESE PROBLEMS ARE COMING UP WHEN THE FANS STOP WORKING. IT HAS 145000 MILES ON IT, BUT I WAS TOLD THAT IS NOT A COMMON THINK ON THIS MODULE. I'M GOING TO GET REPAIRED, BUT I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE. *TR

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. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. (LAWYER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF CLIENT)*JB

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. *TR

TL*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.

TL*- THE CONTACT WAS EXITING THE PARKING COMPLEX WHILE DRIVING THE 1997 DODGE NEON AT 5 MPH, WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSED THE WINDOWS ON BOTH DOORS TO SHATTER, AND THE DASHBOARD AND AIR CONDITIONER VENTS TO COME OFF. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STRIKE OR HIT ANYTHING TO CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 108000 MILES. *AK

MY FIRST COMPLAINT WOULD BE ABOUT THE PAINT. MY CAR HAS BEEN PEELING FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS NOW, IT BUBBLES THEN PEELS AND GETS BIGGER AND BIGGER EVERY DAY. IT IS NOW PEELING IN 6 SPOTS, THE LARGEST IS THE SIZE OF A WATERMELON. VERY UNHAPPY!!!! SECOND, THE BRAKES ARE HORRIBLE, THE SQUEALING OF METAL ON METAL HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE DAY 1 OF GETTING MY CAR. I WAS RECENTLY DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING LIKE CRAZY. I PULLED OVER AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE BUT COULD NOT ACCELERATE FASTER THAN 60KM/HR. I TRIED DRIVING MY CAR TO THE MECHANICS BUT IN THE END DID NOT GET VERY FAR. I PULLED OVER ONCE AGAIN AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM MY DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL. I ALSO NOTICED THE WHEEL WELL CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO THE FRICTION. MY CAR WAS THEN TOWED AND MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A CEASED CALIPER. BEWARE, THIS WAS SCARY. MY WHOLE FRONT END BRAKE SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. TOO ADD, I FIND IT'S HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PLASTIC THAT COVERS THE HEAD LIGHTS. THEY ARE FOGGY AND DON'T GIVE OUT ENOUGH LIGHT. LASTLY, I FIND THAT THE SEALANTS ON THE WINDOWS OF MY TWO DOOR ARE HORRIBLE. I HAVE TO PUSH ON MY WINDOW WHEN CLOSING IT IN ORDER FOR THE WINDOW TO SEAL. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM, MY CAR WAS STOLEN BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. A RECALL SHOULD DEFINITELY BE CONSIDERED FOR THE PAINT, BREAKS AND HEADLIGHT COVERS AND WINDOWS/SEALS!!! *JB

1997 DODGE NEON DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WITH THE FAN RELAY.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THERE WAS AN APPARENT PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR FAN CIRCUIT. THE VEHICLE HAD DISPLAYED DIAGNOSTIC CODE P1491. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND THE SOLID STATE FAN RELAY. THERE WAS NO CONTINUITY ON PIN 18 OF THE BACK OF THE POWER CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR. THE PCM WAS DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE OUTPUT ON THE PIN. THE CONSUMER FOUND A BREAK IN THE WIRE AT THE C160 CONNECTOR. THE BREAK WAS CAUSED BY THE WIRE MANAGEMENT CLIP CHAFING AGAINST THE GROUP OF WIRES. THE PCM CONNECTOR NUMBER ONE AND IT'S COVER ARE NOW BROKEN AT THE CONNECTION POINTS AND THE COVER WILL NOT STAY ON AND THE WIRES WERE COMING OUT AND ARE EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS. *SC

CONTACT STATES: WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONSUMER SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER CAR, HOWEVER HIS DOOR WAS SCRATCHED, THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED A MINOR INJURY TO HIS WRIST DUE TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. *AK *JB

HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACE AFTER 45,000 MILES.. BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2002.. BBRAKES ARE HORRIBLE.. BRAKES MAKE NOISE, SYSTEM OPERATING NORMAL FAN RELAY SWITCH .. NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.. AND WAS ALSO RECALLED.. IN ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO.. AND NEVER NOTIFIED.. FRONT END ALWAYS CLANKING.. WHEN U TURN..

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 23-25 MPH. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK *SC *JB

MARCH 1, 2005, STOPPED ON A HILLED HIGHWAY INTERSECTION OF FRANKFORD AVENUE AND SOLLY AVE, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19136. LIGHT WAS RED TURNING TO GREEN. DRIVING 1997 DODGE NEON. REARENDING BY 99 FORD TAUARUS IMPACTED DODGE NEON THROWING FORWARD TWO DOOR NEON. SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD DRIVER. *AK

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!*AK

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.*AK

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 $600.00 -$1,000 TO GET IT FIXED" ANOTHER BULLITIN FROM CAR QUEST SAY THE OIL LEAKS DUE TO THE CAM SENSOR COVER ILE FIND OUT SHORTLY I ASSUME AND IF THATS THE CASE WHY ARENT ANY OF THESE OTHER MECHANICS CATCHING THAT OR DO THE KNOW AND JUST SAY IT IS THE HEAD GASKET FOR MORE MONEY FROM YOU? AND I GUESS THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE MY PARENTS NICE NEW DRIVE HAS DODGE DIRTY OIL STAINS ALL OVER IT, THANKS DODGE !! -- @$#HOLES!!*AK

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 CHRYSLERS 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. *AK

THE VEHICLE'S HEAD GASKET FAILED ALTHOUGH IT ONLY HAD 44000 MILES ON IT. *NM *SC *JB

BRAKES SQUEL AND MAKE NOISE, CAR WON'T STOP ABOVE 50 MPH IN SAFE DISTANCE. *JB

THE CAR STARTED LEAKING OIL X 2 MONTHS. KEPT OVERHEATING AFTER 20 MINUTES OF RUNNING. ALLE THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED OUT. HAD RADIATOR FIXED. CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT, TOLD IT WAS FAN RELAY. HAD THAT REPLACED. NOW TOLD THAT IT WAS THE GASKET. THAT IT HAD A LEAK AND NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SOME THING ABOUT THE ALUMINUM.*AK

PROBLEM WITH 1997 DODGE NEON.*MR *NM

VEHICLE'S BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED.*MR 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. *JB

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. *AK

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. *AK 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) *SC *JB

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY, BOTH FRONT TIRES, DEFLATED DUE TO LOST AIR PRESSURE. THE DRIVER NOTICED A BUBBLE LOCATED ON THE INNER SIDE OF THE TIRE. THE DRIVER CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY REPLACED BOTH FRONT TIRES. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THESE TIRES WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL. COOPER TIRES TREND SETTER SE P18565R14/#DOT 7JCZH3900D2R. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

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. *JB

TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT, MAIN GEAR CRACKED, AND HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. IN ADDITION, THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INFORMATION ON RECALLS AND WHAT JUSTIFIES THEM. *PH 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. *SC

ENGINE HEAD GASKET OIL LEAK.*AK

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.*AK

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. *NM

I HAVE A 1997 DODGE NEON. WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS THE PAINT HAS SUDDENLY STARTED TO PEEL AND BUCKLE AS IF THE PRIMER NO LONGER HOLDS IT. I HAVE NOTICED THE PAINT ON OTHER NEONS AS I AM DRIVING ARE ALSO PEELING THE SAME WAY. *LA

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. *AK 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: HTTP://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!

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.

PROBLEM: WATER LEAKING INTO THE TRUNK THROUGH THE TAILLIGHT FILLED THE SPARE TIRE WELL AND SOAKED INTO THE BACK SEAT. WE NOW HAVE A MUSTY SMELL INDICATING A MOLD PROBLEM, PROBABLY FROM THE SEAT. WE HAVE USED PROFESSIONAL CLEANING SUPPLIES TO TRY ELIMINATE THE SMELL. THE CLEANING DID HELP BUT THE SMELL IS STILL THERE. SINCE MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER HAVE ASTHMA, AND ARE ALERGIC TO MOLD, I WILL MOST LIKELY HAVE TO REPLACE THE BACK SEAT. COST UNKNOWN. I STARTED SEARCHING THE WEB FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH NEONS LAST NIGHT AFTER A NEIGHBOR, WHO ALSO OWNS A NEON AND KNEW ABOOUT OUR PROBLEM, CAME TO TALK TO ME BECAUSE THE SAME THING JUST HAPPENED TO THEIRS. PROBLEM SHOWED UP LAST SUMMER (2002)AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 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 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.

HEAD GASKET FAILURE

REPLACED 3 HEAD GASKETS IN 1997 DODGE NEON. FEWER THAN 33,000 MILES AT REPLACEMENT OF THIRD HEAD GASKET. *LA

I HAD BOUGHT 2 NEW DODGE NEONS, 1997 & 1998. FIRST 1998 NEON HAD ENGINE GASKET PROBLEM, DAIMLERCHRYSLER FIXED IT &I PAID $100.00 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. *LA

1997 DODGE NEON - HEAD GASKET LEAKED - WAS REPLACED FOR A SMALL FEE ONCE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. NOW WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE PAINT ON THE TRUCK AND SIDE PEELING AND BUBBLING OFF. WHAT CAN WE DO? CAN WE CONTACT THE DEALER TO HAVE THE CAR REPAINTED? I'VE NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM WITH NEONS. *LA

I JUST BOUGHT THIS 97 DODGE NEON WITH ONLY 23,000 MILES ON IT. THE A/C HAS A LEAK IN THE COIL , THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING . THE CAR IS IN GREAT SHAPE BUT THOSE FEW THINGS SO FAR . THE PERSON WHO OWNED THE CAR BEFORE ME WAS AN OLDER GENTLEMAN WHO DOES NOT WRECK HIS THINGS. I WAS WONDERING ARE THESE PROBLEMS, FACTORY PROBLEMS AND/OR RECALLS? *LA

STEERING KNUCKLE SHEERED OFF OF RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WITH NO COLLISION OR ACCIDENT. RIGHT FRONT HUB CAB FELL OFF AS WELL. *LA

CONSUMER NOTICED OIL ON THE DRIVEWAY. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

CONSUMER STATED HER BRAKES FAILED. THERE WAS A MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT ON THE BELTWAY. AS SHE APPROACHED SHE SAW THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER APPLY HIS BRAKES, SHE THEN APPLIED HER BRAKES. HER VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND SHE RECEIVED SOME MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES AND WAS VERY SORE. HER VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WON'T CLAIM ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT ON THE VEHICLE. *PH *SCC *JB

INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED TWICE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS/ROTORS, AND THE CALIPER PIN. ALSO, ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL. *AK

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE IN REVERSE, IT WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE FORWARD. DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK