1998 Dodge Neon complaints

AIR COMPRESSOR,PISTON HEAD WAS DAMEGED DUE TO HEAT,CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED,AND THE FIRST HEAD GASKET REPLACED ALL AT 18500 MILES.RECENTLY REPLACED A THIRD ONE AT 44500 MILES.THAT MAKES FOUR IN A YEAR AND A HALF! ECENTLY REPLACED MILES

HEAD GASKET FAILURE IS DEFENITELY A MANUFACTURING FLAW BASED ON THE REFERENCES THAT I HAVE LEARNED OF. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS CAR FOR THIS DEFECT! *AK

THE DATE THAT I PUT DOWN EARLIER, IS THE FIRST TIME THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON 7/29/98, MILEAGE 3,549; AGAIN ON 10/22/98, MILEAGE 8,234; 11/12/99, MILEAGE 27,421; AND AGAIN ON 1/10/00, MILEAGE 31,000. EVERYTIME THIS HAPPENS, MY CAR LOOSES POWER! I AM ON THE HIGHWAY ALL THE TIME AND THIS IS A VERY BIG PROBLEM. ALSO, WHEN THIS HAPPENS MY REAR DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AND MY RADIO SOUNDS FUNNY. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY CANNOT SEEM TO FIX IT. MY WARRENTY WILL BE UP VERY SOON AND I AM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CAR IS STARTING AGAIN TO LOOSE POWER, BUT IT WILL RUN LIKE THIS FOR QUITE AWHILE BEFORE THE LIGHT COMES ON! THIS IS VERY OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACUTURER DEFECT AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSBILITY FOR IT!*AK

THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE OUTSIDE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ,AND WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN TO DEALER, AND DEALER WAS TO COVER THE COST TO HAVE VALVES AND SPRINGS IN THE MOTOR REPLACED. HOWEVER, WARRANTY EXPIRED BECAUSE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE REQUIRED MILEAGE. *AK

MY CAR HAD LEAKED OIL, VERY LITTLE FOR AWHILE, I HAD PLANNED TO PUT IN THE SHOP AFTER I RECEIVED MY TAX RETURN CHECK. WELL I COULDN'T WAIT, FOR THE SMALL LEAK HAD TURNED INTO A HUGE LEAK. IT IS AT THE SHOP RIGHT NOW, AND I HAD BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS THE HEAD GASKET. I HAVE HEARD OF ALL TO THE FAMILIAR CASES LIKE THIS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL ON SUCH A PROBLEM? *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

HAVE HAD TO TAKE CAR IN SO MANY TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT WERE NOT BEING FIXED IN THE FIRST PLACE. THEY WOULD TELL ME TO DRIVE IT FOR A TIME AND SEE IF THE NOISE WOULD STOP. OR THEY WOULD JUST SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. NOW THAT THE WARRANTY IS UP I HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL I WILL NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER VEHICLE IN MY LIFE!!!. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 32,450 MILES. TOLD BY DEALER THAT THIS HAPPENING TO ALL OF THE NEONS. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL THEN. *AK

VEHICLE BOUGHT, HOWEVER HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY WRECKED, THE VEHICLE HAS MANY (NUMEROUS) PROBLEMS DUE TO PRIOR WRECK, DEALER MADE FALSE STATEMENTS AND PRACTICED POSSIBLE FRAUDULENT ACTS. *MJS

THE POWER STEERING PUMP DOES NOT HAVE A COVER OVER IT, IN RAINY WEATHER THE WATER GOES UNDER AND THE BELT SLIPS OFF CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING (LOCK UP) WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AND VEHICLE TO RUN INTO MEDIAN WITH INJURIES TO CONSUMER. *MJS

ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, CREATING A OIL LEAKAGE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, PARTS HAS YET TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION T ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED . HEAD GASKETS BLEW WHICH CAUSED OIL LEAKAGE ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK. DEALER5 HAS REPLACED THE ENGINE GASKETS , THE SENSOR AND ENGINE FILTER. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

FRONT MOTOR MOUNT FAILED. *ET

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT. NEXT DAY NOTICED AN OIL LEAK ON FLOOR. TOOK VEHICLE TO PRIVATE MECHANIC & WAS INFORMED IT WAS ENGINE HEAD GASKETS THAT CAUSED THE LEAKAGE. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED NEW VEHICLES HAVE CORRECTED, BUT DIFFERENT TYPE/STYLE OF HEAD GASKETS. HEAD GASKETS ARE YET TO BE REPAIRED. *AK

THERE IS AN OIL LEAK AT THE HEAD GASKETS, CAUSING THE HEAD GASKET TO BLOW OUT.CONSUMER HAS CONTACTEED THE DEALER, DEALER STATED ENGINEHEAD GASKET NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NO SUMMARY

WHILE CHECKING THE OIL NOTICED POWE BRAKE BOOSTER HOSE RUBBING UNDER ENGINE HOOD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURHTER INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND SHOULDER SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK, CAUSING DRIVER TO BE THROWN FORWARD ,HITTING STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES. *AK

VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE HESITATATION DURING STARTING / IDELING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUME RTHAT THE ENGINE VALVES WERE MISFIRING. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. SEEKING HELP OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER. *AK

THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT HAPPEN IN MODERN CARS. MY CAR IS ONLY A YEAR OLD. I KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS FOUND THIS MALFUNCTION AS SURPRISING! THE DEALER PROBABLY WILL NEVER OWN THEIR RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS MATTER. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ALL PERCUSSION TO INSURE SATISFACTION. I WOULDN'T EVEN MIND IF THEY WOULD AGREE TO RELEASING ME FROM ANY OBLIGATIONS. THEY CAN HAVE THE CAR BACK!

CAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY UPON STARTING OR WILL RE-REV ITSELF AFTER SHAKING. NO CONTROL WITH POWER STEERING ON WET PAVEMENT. HAS BEEN TAKEN IN A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT PROBLEM STILL THERE.

THIS CAR HAS GONE DEAD TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF WHILE DRIVING.

OIL LEAKING FORM UNDER ENGINE. TOOK VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENTENT REPAIR SHOP. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET/ A WARPED ENGINE HEAD, AND A BLOWN SEAL CRANKSHAFT. DEALER PERFORMED REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY, AND CONSUMER WANTED TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT TO NHTSA. *AK

AIR CONDITIONER ALSO MALFUNCTIONED. REPAIRED ON JULY 29, 1999. REPAIR REQUIRED VALVE EXPANSION, FREON, GASKET, AND RECHARGE. ALSO ON JULY 29, 1999, RIGHT HAND TURNS CAUSED CLUNKING NOISE. FRONT END WAS CLEANED AND LUBED BY DEALER. NOISE RETURNED 8 DAYS LATER. ALSO ON JULY 29, 1999 DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND CALIPER SLIDES DRY AND AGAIN LUBED TIE ROD AND BALL JOINTS. COMPLAINED ON SEPTEMBER 12. 1998 OF BACK FIRE OF ENGINE WHEN A/C ON. SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A NEW PROBLEM FELT AFTER 2,035 ,MILES DRIVEN. ON OCTOBER 27, 1998 HEADLIGHT BEZEL CAME LOOSE FROM VIBRATION FROM TIE ROD BEING LOOSE. PART OF DASH PANEL REMOVED TO CORRECT LOOSE SWITCHES. ON OCTOBER 27, 1998 VEHICLE WAS INTO SERVICE DEPARTMENT DUE TO DOOR TOP WEATHERSTRIPPING TABS FALLING OFF. DEALER HAD TO ORDER PARTS AND HAVE VEHICLE RETURNED AFTER PARTS ARRIVED TO REINSTALL. ON OCTOBER 27, 1998 THE FRONT AND REAL WHEEL TOE ADJUSTMENTS, RETIGHTEND NUTS ON TIE ROD AND ALIGNEMENT OF VEHICLE WAS DONE DUE TO VIBRATION. ON MAY 11, 1999, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FOUND LOW BY MYSELF. IT ALSO HAD BLACK FLAKES ON THE DIP STICK. "YOUR TRANSMISSION IS SHOT" WAS THE REPORT FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. TRANSMISSION WAS RECONDITIONED, FLUSHED, NEW BAND AND GASKET INSTALLED AT 7136 MILES. VEHICLE WENT BACK INTO REPAIRS ON OCTOBER 27, 1998 TO HAVE BODY WELD REBENTED AND PAINT TOUCHED UP DUE TO DAMAGE FROM LIFT FROM PREVIOUS REPAIR. SEVERAL CALLS TO MR. JOHN BRUNSON ON OCTOBER 23, 1998, THE GENE

THERE'S A POPPING NOISE THAT IS COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED OWNER'S VEHICLE, CAUSING BOTH FRONT SEATBACKS TO COLLAPSE. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

BEING THAT THIS IS A NEW CAR I DID NOT EXPECT THAT THE HEAD GASKET WOULD GO. UPON TALKING TO SERVICE REPAIR ADVISORS AT MY LOCAL DEALER THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS HAS BEEN COMMON FOR THE NEONS. THEY HAVE SEEN DEFECTIVE GASKETS, BUT THE CHRYSLER CORP. HAS NOT YET NOTIFIED OR SENT OUT A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS. MY CAR ALSO EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ELECRTICAL ANOMOLIES AS I WAS TOLD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON REPEATEDLY AND NO CODES WERE FOUND THAT SIGNIFIED A PROBLEM SO THE SERVICE MAN JUST KEPT RESETING THE LIGHT. THIS OF COURSE WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR ME, SO I HAD THEM REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT TO THE LIGHT(COMPUTER CONTROL UNIT). UNFORTUNETLY THE PROBLEM PERSISTS(4 ATTEMPTS AT REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE). I HAVE FOUND NO RESOLVE FOR MY PROBLEM, THUS I CONTACT YOU. HOPING FOR ANY ADVICE OR HELP THIS MAY PROVIDE.

WHENEVER GOING 50-55MPH THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE WOULD SHIMMY. HAS BEEN TO DEALER 6 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR ALIGNMENT, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. MECHANIC HAD TEST DRIVEN VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER KNOWS OF PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THERE WAS OIL DRIPPING UNDER THE CAR. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE CAR AS HAVING BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CAR CONSTANTLY CUTS OF. ,IF GOING UP ANY TYPE OF GRADE AT 25MPH THE CAR OVER HEATS AND CUTS OFF. *AK

STEERING WHEEL AND GASKET FAILURE.

ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED THE YELLOW LINE AND HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HEAD-ON, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT TO FALL BACK DUE TO THE LATCH BREAKING. SEAT CAME DOWN ON THE CHILD, AND THE CHILD ENDED UP IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. VEHICLE WAS PUSHED 30 FEET BACK, AND THE CHILD WAS IN THE CENTER. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND SHFTING TO ANOTHER GEAR, THE VEHICLE JERKS AND SHAKES AND THERE IS A LEAKAGE WITHIN THE TRANSMSSION. ALSO, FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE LOCATED ON THE BOTTOM AND THE TOP, BROKE AND THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF LEAKAGE.

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING SUDDEN ACCELERATION, DEALER CAN NOT LOCATE PROBLEM. *YC

HAVE HAD MULTIPLE FLAT TIRES (NO NAILS) ON THE FRONT TIRES ONLY AT THE EDGE OF THE TREAD. YESTERDAY, THE RIGHT FRONT EXPLODED AT 65 MPH. THE TREAD TOTALLY SEPARATED FROM BOTH SIDE WALLS AT THE EDGE OF THE TREAD (THE SAME POINT THAT ALL PUNCTURES HAVE OCCURED). IT ROLLED OVER AND STAYED UNDER THE RIM WHICH MADE STOPPING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. A SLIGHT TOUCH OF THE BREAK CAUSED THE CAR TO TURN SIDEWAYS. TOOK 150 YARDS TO STOP. CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE RIM AND INNER PANEL. I HAVE RACED CARS OFF AND ON FOR YEARS AND ALMOST LOST THIS ONE. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE TIRES ARE NOT ADEQUATELY RE-ENFORCED AT THE JOINT OF THE SIDEWALL AND TREAD. ALL FLATS AND FAILURES ON THE DRIVE WHEELS. THE TIRES WERE JUST ROTATED AND THE TIRE THAT FAILED CAME FROM THE BACK AND NEVER HAD A FLAT. ALSO, THE R/T HAS RACING SUSPENSION AND WILL LET YOU KNOW IF A TIRE IS LOW. IT HAS A VERY NOTICEABLE PULL. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OTHER THAN 2 SECONDS OF WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A MAJOR EXHAUST LEAK. NO VIBRATION, NO PULL, JUST NOISE. THEN A LARGE BANG. I HAVE TALKED TO TWO OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE CHRYSLER FRONT WHEEL DRIVER CARS AND BOTH HAVE REPLACED THEIR TIRES DUE TO NUMEROUS FLATS. AM GOING OUT ON THE WEB TO SEE IF OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.( DOT NUMBER: UNKNOWN TIRE SIZE: P185/65R14 )

NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM UNDER ENGINE.TOOK VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET/A WARPED ENGINE HEAD , AND A BLOWN SEAL CRANKSHAFT. DEALER PERFORMED REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY, AND CONSUMER WANTED TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT TO NHTSA. *AK

VEHICLE SOUNDS LIKE EXHAUST SYSTEM COMES LOOSE WHEN DRIVEN THROUGH PUDDLE AND LOOSES ENGINE POWER, DEALER GIVEN TWO TRIES TO CORRECT PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM DUE TO THE LACK OF RAIN, ANYONE WHO EXPERENCED SAME PROBLEM EMAIL AT [email protected]

THE OWNER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE BRAKING FROM ABOUT 50MPH, AND NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. ALSO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATBELT BROKE AT THE BUCKLE. DLR HAS NOT SEEN. *AK

LET WINDOW DOWN AS A RESULT MOISTURE GOT INTO THE CAR FROM RAIN . ALSO, HEADLIGHTS DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. *AK

VEHICLE WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD UNTO A GRASSY SURFACE. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BURSTED OPEN AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAUSING SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO DRIVER'S ARM, FROM WRIST UP TO SHOULDER, AND MINOR CUTS AND BRUISES. *AK

CONSUMER FEELS SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. NLM

DRIVING AT APPROX. 50MPH AT ANY GIVEN TIME THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. CONSUMER TOOKJ VEHICLE TO DEALSHIP ON THREE OCASSIONS, DEALDER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM, SECOND TIME DEALER ADDED SOME TRANSMISSION FLUED, AND VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHUTDOWN, VEHICLE WILL GO TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN ON JUN. 16, 1999. --- CRESTWOOD DODGE --

AT TIME OF PURCHASE VEHICLE HAD SPOT ON THE WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE HAS BEEN ACID WASHED MORE THAN THREE TIMES, WHEN THE GLASS IS DRY YOU CANNOT SEE SPOTS, DURING RAINY DAYS CONSUMER CANNOT SEE OUT OF WINDSHIELD.

CONSUMER'S BROTHER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

ORIGINAL MOTOR WAS REPLACED AT 22,000 MILES BECAUSE A BEARING SPUN AND RUINED THE BLOCK. THEN AGAIN, THIS TIME, THE SAME THING IN THE SAME CYLINDER(#2 OR #3, I FORGET) HAPPENED AGAIN. ENGEIN OIL IS CHECKED EVERY 3 DAYS, AND OIL IS CHANGED EVERY 3500 MILES.

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH HAD FRONTAL IMPACT. REAR ENDED A TRUCK, AND BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THE CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BETWEEN 45 AND 50 MPH CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE SHE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE FRONT FIRST, AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

WAS REAR 1ENDED BY ANOTHER CAR; DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE ON IMPACT. I HAD TO BE IMMOBILIZED WITH NECK BRACE AND BACK BOARD BECAUSE OF THE BROKEN SEAT. ENDED UP WITH ONLY SPRAINS AND STRAINS, BUT VERY DISTURBED BY THE FAILURE OF THE EQUIPMENT. *AK