2003 Dodge Neon complaints

2003 DODGE NEON SRT-4 MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FAILURE. THE WIRING CONNECTOR TO THE SWITCH IS MELTED. LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN ON. CAN PROVIDE PICTURES. *NM

2003 DODGE NEON'S HOOD UNLATCHED AND OPENED . *TS THE POLICE OBSERVED THAT THERE WAS PREVIOUS FRONT END DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. SOME PART WERE BEING SECURED WITH TWINE. HOOD LATCH AND GRILL SUPPORT APPEARED TO NOT BE IN PROPER WORKING ORDER DUE TO PREVIOUS DAMAGE. THE DRIVE CLAIMED THAT THE LATCH WAS IN PROPER WORKING ORDER. *NM

HEADLIGHT FAILURE DUE TO MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH , AND IT'S COSTING $456 TO REPAIR AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. *JB

LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FALLING OUT OF CONTROL ARM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER TO CHANGE THE MODULE SWITCH AND HARNESS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH INSIDE STEERING COLUMN MELTED WIRING HARNESS FOR HEADLIGHT SWITCH. SMOKE AND HEAT CAME OUT OF STEERING COLUMN COVER. HAD TO REPLACE DASH HARNESS AND MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. *JB

2003 DODGE NEON LIGHTS WENT OUT AND STARTED SEEING SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DASH ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE WHERE THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH IS. *NM

MULTI-FUNCTION LIGHT SWITCH ON THE COLUMN CAUSING WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR TO MELT AND CATCH FIRE. BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS WOULD COME ON FOR NO REASON AND NOT GO OFF. BACK OF SWITCH ITSELF GETTING VERY HOT. REPLACED THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS, CANNOT TURN HEADLIGHTS ON FOR EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME OR CONNECTOR MELTS AND CATCHES FIRE AGAIN. *JB

MY MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH ON MY 2003 DODGE NEON SHORT CIRCUITED AND MELTED THE PLUG THAT IT CONNECTS TO I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE AND SEARCHED MULTIPLE JUNK YARDS FOR THE PLUG AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND ONE DODGE CHARGES $1100 FOR THE WIRING HARNESS I HAVE NO LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS OR FOG LIGHTS AND CANNOT AFFORD THE PLUG FROM THE DEALERSHIP NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX MY PROBLEM. *JB

MY HEADLIGHTS/FOG LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING AND ALL OF MY DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. I THEN LOST ALL POWER FOR A BRIEF SECOND AND THEN THE CAR CAME BACK TO NORMAL. I PULLED THE STEERING COLUMN APART AND FOUND THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH HAS STARTED TO MELT. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THIS YET AS I JUST FOUND THIS TODAY. *JB

I NOTICED ONE DAY THAT A WHITE PUFF OF SMOKE CAME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN SHROUD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY AND TURNED IT BACK ON. IT DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN SO I CONTINUED TO USE THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER MY HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING, THE BRIGHTS HOWEVER WORKED FINE. I COULD WIGGLE THE WIRING IN THE DASH THE STEERING WHEEL ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THEY WORKED. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER AND BEFORE I COULD GET IN THE HEADLIGHTS DIED COMPLETELY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MULTI-FUNCTION STALK UNDER WARRANTY AND EVERYTHING WORKED FINE UNTIL I SOLD THE CAR. *NM

THE PROBLEMS FIRST STARTED WHEN THE FOG LIGHTS ON MY 2003 DODGE NEON HAD STARTED TO COME ON EVEN WHEN THE SWITCH WAS OFF. THEY WOULD DO THIS ANY TIME I TURNED THE WHEEL, OR WENT OVER A BUMP. THIS HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR ALMOST 6 MONTHS. THEN ABOUT A WEEK AGO, MY LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE LEVER WOULDN'T CLICK WHEN I HIT IT TO TURN THEM OFF. THEY CONTINUED TO STAY ON, AND THEN WOULD TURN OFF WHEN THEY WANTED TO. AFTER ABOUT A DAY I WAS DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY LIGHTS TURNED OFF, AND WOULD NOT GO BACK ON. IF THERE WERE NO STREET LIGHTS, I COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO A SEVERE ACCIDENT. *JB

THE MULTI-SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS BEHIND MY STEERING WHEEL MELTED RENDERING MY HEADLIGHTS (LOW-BEAM) AND FOG LIGHTS INOPERABLE. *JB

MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH MELTING/BURNING, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS, BLINKERS AND DASH LIGHTS NOT TO FUNCTION. PROBLEM NOT PRESENTLY FIXED. *JB

HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS NOT WORKING. MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH SHORTING OUT, THE 20 PLUG WIRING HARNESS THAT CONNECTS TO THE LIGHTS PORTION OF THE SWITCH GETS LITERALLY BURNT AND MELTS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHT MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH DID NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. *AK

HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING HARNESS SHORTED AND MELTED RESULTING IN LOSS OF ALL INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE RATTLES HARD ENOUGH TO MAKE THE VEHICLE STALL. IT HAS STALLED FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER REPAIRED TRANSMISSION BUT THE VEHICLE STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLES BEEN TO THE SHOP ON SIX OCCASIONS FOR THIS ISSUE.

CAR WAS HARD TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEARS - CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS GIVEN A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. THEY BLAMED IT ON BAD SYNCHROS. ABOUT 6,000 MILES LATER I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ONLY WORSE. THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR AT ALL. IT WOULD ONLY GRIND. THEY REPLACED IT AGAIN WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION. NOW - ONCE AGAIN I AM HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR AND SOMETIMES 4TH. *JB

I HAVE A 2003 DODGE NEON SRT-4 AND WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF MY STEERING COLUMN. I GOT TO WORK AND PULLED THE STEERING COLUMN APART AND FOUND THAT THE CONNECTOR FOR THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH (CONTROLS THE HEADLIGHTS & TURN SIGNALS) HAD MELTED INTO THE SWITCH. UPON DISCOVERING THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN HAD WITH MULTIPLE PEOPLE DRIVING NEONS FROM THE SAME MODEL YEAR, I PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS. I SPLICED THE WIRES BACK INTO PLACE AND EVERYTHING WORKED BUT MY HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE FUSE FOR THE HEADLIGHTS HAD BEEN BLOWN AND NEEDED REPLACING AS WELL. QUESTIONS POSED TO DODGE/DAIMLER-CHRYSLER RESULTED IN DEAD ENDS BECAUSE THERE WERE NO VISIBLE FLAMES. *JB

THE SPARK PLUG HAS REPEATEDLY FLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE, IT HAS BEEN FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES. THERE WAS A SLEEVE PUT IN TO KEEP IT IN PLACE ONE TIME, ANOTHER TIME THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS REPLACED, THE FINAL TIME I'M BEING TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE. I ALSO HAD TO GET THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED ONCE. I'VE HAD TO TRACK DOWN ANYONE TO SPEAK TO AT THE DEALERS, AND HAVE GOTTEN CONFLICTING ANSWERS ANY TIME I'VE SPOKEN TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE. *NM

THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN THE CAR. AFTER STARTING THE CAR, I REALIZED MY HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I PULLED ON THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH TWICE AND REGAINED THE USE OF MY HEADLIGHTS. I DROPPED THE VEHICLE OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP (BIG VALLEY DODGE/SUBARU) ON 5/24/06. ON 5/26/06, AT ABOUT 4:20 PM, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM MARVIN IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. HE ADVISED THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACE THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH AND WIRE HARNESS. HE ALSO ADVISED I WAS BEING CHARGED $386.00 + TAX AS MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT SEEMS AS THERE IS NO TSB ON THIS PROBLEM ALTHOUGH THERE ARE MANY NEON OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. PLEASE SEE LINKS BELOW. HTTP://WWW.SRTFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?P=3461887#POST3461887 HTTP://WWW.SRTFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=255414&HIGHLIGHT=MULTIFUNCTION+SWITCH HTTP://WWW.SRTFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=251467&HIGHLIGHT=MULTIFUNCTION+SWITCH HTTP://WWW.SRTFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=191421&HIGHLIGHT=MULTIFUNCTION+SWITCH. *JB

LAST WEEK THE CAR STARED BLOWING THE DASHBOARD LIGHT FUSE. I'VE REPLACED IT 4 TIMES, AND THEY ALL BLEW WITH IN A FEW MINUTES. THE DEALER SAID THEY SPENT 2 HOURS TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I PAID THE $100.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND THREE BLOCKS FROM THE DEALER, THE FUSE BLEW AGAIN. I TOOK BACK TO THEM AND WILL PAY ANOTHER $100.00 FEE TOMORROW. THE FACTORY WARRANTY RAN OUT 2600 MILES AGO, AND I PURCHASED CHRYSLER'S BEST MAXIMUM CAR UPGRADE SERVICE CONTRACT SO I WOULD NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS KIND OF STUFF, BUT IT IS NOT COVERED. NOW I HAVE A CAR I CAN'T SAFELY DRIVE AT NIGHT BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE THE DASHBOARD. *JB

THIS IS A PROBLEM NUMEROUS SRT-4 OWNERS AS WELL AS NEON OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING (HTTP://WWW.SRTFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=221333, HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/COMPLAIN/RESULTS.CFM, HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/COMPLAIN/RESULTS.CFM). MY MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH HAS GONE OUT TWICE BOTH RESULTING IN INSTANCES WHERE THE HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS DO NOT WORKING. FIRST TIME I HAD TO PAY THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. THEY NOTED THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED BUT DID NOT REPLACE NOR ASK ME IF I WANTED IT REPLACED. THIS TIME I REPLACED THE SWITCH MYSELF AND HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS STILL DON'T WORK. THE WIRING HARNESS LOOKS COMPLETELY BURNT. *JB

PLASTIC TRANSMISSION LINES RUNNING THROUGH ONLY ONE RADIATOR SYSTEM. ONE LINE BROKE DOE TO COLD TEMPERATURES ALLOWED ANTIFREEZE & TRANS COOLANT TO MIXED TOGETHER IN BOTH THE ENGINE & TRANSMISSION,BOTH HAD TO BE FLUSHED & COST ME THE CONSUMER OVER $648.93 OUT OF MY POCKET. THEIR WARRANTY DID NOT COVER IT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION SPEED SENSOR SHORTED AND CAUSED THE COMPUTER TO SHORT OUT. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE IT WAS THEN TOWED TO A CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP. THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE WERE REPLACED AS A RESULT OF THE DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE SENSOR. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN THE DASHBOARD. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED, AND THEY FOUND THE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE LEAKING. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.*AK UPDATED 1/19/2006 - REPAIRS WERE MADE ON 12/28/2005. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE CLUTCH MALFUNCTIONED THREE TIMES WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED THE CLUTCH. THIS OCCURRED EVERY SIX MONTHS. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE STALLED AND DIED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THERE WAS TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, AND THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO ACCURATELY DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. NO FURTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK

(1)HEADLIGHTS AND DRIVING LIGHTS ( THAT WAS PUT ON BY DODGE) WENT OUT. (2) WIRE HARNESS AND TURN SIGNAL/ HEADLIGHT SWITCH AT STEERING WHEEL MELTED TOGETHER.!!!!! NEVER BLOWING A FUSE !!!!! FOUND OUT THE DRIVING LIGHTS WERE STAYING ON AT HIGHBEAM. WHEN THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO GO OUT. (3) REPLACING THE SWITCH AND HAD THE END OF THE WIRE HARNESS REPLACED. OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE (FORGOT TO GET FROM MECHANIC). *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN WAS NOT WORKING. THE HORN WAS REPLACED ON AUGUST 3, 2004 AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED. ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2004 . SHE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE NOT STARTING WHEN CRANKED. SHE STATED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT WOULD START. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP , AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, AND THE FLASHED PCM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STARTING AGAIN; THIS BEGAN ON OCTOBER 19, 2005. THE VEHICLE WILL HAVE TO BE TOWED THIS TIME. *AK

THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE SCRAPING AND SQUEAKING NOISES WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS AND DIPS. I INSPECTED THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND HAD FOUND THAT THE REAR BUSHINGS ON BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS SEPARATED FROM THE CONTROL ARMS. THE PASSENGERS SIDE CONTROL ARM HAD FAILED AND WAS TOUCHING THE SUB FRAME, THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS CLOSE TO FAILING. BOTH BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

WATER FLOWS INTO THE TRUNK OF THE CAR BY GOING DOWN THROUGH THE SIDE PANELS (UNDER THE TRUNK) AND ENDS UP UNDER THE SPARE TIRE. THIS MAKES IT HARD TO IDENTIFY BECAUSE YOU DON'T NOTICE IT UNTIL YOU NEED YOUR SPARE. *JB

DT: THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE WIRING UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THIS HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THEY WERE GOING TO INVESTIGATE IT, BUT HAVE NOT DONE SO. THE VEHICLE CUT OFF, AND SMOKE CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE DASH. THEN , THE VEHICLE TURNED ON FOUR TIMES BY ITSELF WHILE CONSUMER HOLDING THE KEY IN HAND. THE HORN STARTED BLOWING AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON. *AK

DT: THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY WHILE IN MOTION AND THE STEERING WOULD LOCK. ALSO, THE HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED IN A TEN MONTH SPAN. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS ON NOVEMBER 15, 2004, THE SECOND WAS MARCH 23, 2005, AND SEPTEMBER 25, 2005. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE, AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE. THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING, NOISE AND OR WARNING LIGHTS. *AK (11/21/05) *SC

DT: THE BUSHINGS ON BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS SEPARATED FROM THE CONTROL ARMS. THE LEFT SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS TOUCHING THE SUB FRAME, AND THE RIGHT SIDE WAS ALMOST THERE. BOTH BUSHINGS HAD COME OUT. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE DEALER SAID TO HAVE CHRYSLER LOOK AT IT TOO.*AK

I HAVE A 2003 DODGE NEON THAT I BOUGHT BRAND NEW WITH ONE MILE ON IT WHEN I TOOK IT OFF THE LOT. SINCE THAT DREADFULL DAY I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STARTING AROUND 10K MILES. FIRST SOME ELECTRICAL COMPONETS IN THE SOUND SYSTEM WENT OUT. FROM THERE I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS REPLACEDBECAUSE NEARLY EVERY 5K MILES STARTING AROUND 10,500 MILES. THE CAR HAS A HARD TIME STARTING WHEN THE TEMPERATURES GET TOO CLOSE TO 20 DEGREES F, WHEN YOU GET TO ZERO FORGET IT. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY TESTED MY DEALER CHARGED ME $30.00 SOME ODD DOLLARS TO DO THAT AND SAID IT IS JUST ME. WHEN IT GETS TOO HOT LIKE AROUND 85 DEGREES OR SO IT RUNS LIKE IT IS BOGING DOWN. THE FULE INJECTION SENSORS HAVE GONE OUT TWICE 200 MILES APPART AND AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE HAS NEARLY 33K MILES ON IT. I HAVE IT SERVICED EVERY 3K MILES AND HAVE CHANGED THE AIR FILTER AND SPARK PLUGS AS DIRECTED. I ALSO HAVE ALL OF MY SERVICE RECEIPTS FROM THE TRIPS TO THE DEALR I REGUARDS TO THE ELECTRICAL, BREAK AND INJECTION WORK I HAVE HAD DONE. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO BEEN TAKEN TO THREE DIFERENT DODGE DEALERS HOPING ONE WOULD FIND SOMETHING THE OTHERS KEEPT OVERLOOKING. MORE INFO CAN AND WILL BE PROVIDED IF REQUESTED.

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES DUE TO IMPACT. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK MANUFACTURER AND INSURANCE COMPANY NOTIFIED, BUT NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *TT CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THE TALRO INSURANCE COMPANY, NEITHER WANTED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING NEITHER DID THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE INCIDENT. THE APOLLO CASUALTY COMPANY TOLD HER TO CALL CHRYSLER BACK. CONSUMER WANTS TO SUE BUT LAWYER SAID THAT THERE CAN'T BE ANYTHING DONE BECAUSE NOBODY WENT TO THE HOSPITAL.*SB

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON I-35 IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS IN JANUARY, 2004, MY 2003 NEON R/T (WITH APPROXIMATELY 10,865 MILES) EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. LUCKILY THE MOMENTUM WAS GREAT ENOUGH TO ALLOW ME TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. I CHECKED THE VEHICLE (CABLE CONNECTIONS AND FUSES) AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. AFTER 10 MINUTES THE CAR STARTED AND RAN FINE. I TOOK IT TO GUNN DODGE IN SAN ANTONIO IN FEBRUARY, AND THEY SAID A CELL IN THE BATTERY CHECKED BAD AND THAT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. WHILE DRIVING FROM SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS TO KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE ON APRIL 18, 2005, THE CAR AGAIN EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, OUTSIDE OF DALLAS, TEXAS. I WAS AGAIN ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, AND I DETECTED A SLIGHT SCENT OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OVERHEATING.. AGAIN ALL CABLES AND FUSES APPEARED TO BE OK, BUT CAR WOULD NOT START. AS I WAS TALKING WITH CHRYSLER ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE ON MY CELL PHONE, MY WIFE CHECKED THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CONNECTION, I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR, AND IT STARTED (APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES AFTER THE TOTAL LOSS OF POWER). I WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE THE TRIP TO KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE WITHOUT INCIDENT. I TOOK MY CAR TO RICE CHRYSLER-DODGE IN KNOXVILLE ON APRIL 19, 2005 (CAR HAD 24001 MILES). AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED ME ALL CABLES, WIRES AND FUSES CHECKED OUT FINE, AS DID ALL GROUND CONNECTIONS. HE ALSO TOLD ME THEY HAD CA

MY 2003 DODGE NEON, PURCHASED FROM CARMAX NEAR LAX IN INGLEWOOD, CA. IT NOW HAS UNDER 24000 MILES, AND HAS STALLED IN TRAFFIC 7 TIMES IN THE PAST 1500 MILES, TWICE FAILING TO RE-START IN TRAFFIC, AND ONCE AGAIN IN A PARKING GARAGE. THE 1ST TIME WAS ABOUT 5 MONTHS AGO IN WEST LOS ANGELES. THE VEHICLE RE-STARTED ONLY AFTER A JUMP FROM AAA, AND STALLED 2 MORE TIMES AS I DROVE TO THE CARMAX LOCATION FOR SERVICE. CARMAX FAILED TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG TO EXPLAIN THE STALL, & FOUND ONLY A LOOSE BATTERY TERMINAL BOLT, WHICH THEY SAID CAUSED THE STALLING. THEY TIGHTENED THE BOLT AND RETURNED THE CAR TO ME. LESS THAN 5 WEEKS LATER, THE CAR STALLED 3 TIMES AGAIN AROUND TOWN, RESTARTED AFTER 20 MINUTES, AND FINALLY STALLED IN SANTA MONICA, WHEN THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DIED, NO BRAKE LIGHTS OR SAFETY HAZARD LIGHTS AT ALL, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD CHRYSLER TOWING TAKE THE CAR TO BUERGE CHRYSLER IN WEST LA, AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, & DECLARED THAT THE BATTERY WAS FINE. THEY SAID A SERVICE BULLETIN SUGGESTED "FLASHING THE POWER CONTROL MODULE", WHICH THEY DID. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE. LESS THAN 6 WEEKS LATER, THE CAR STALLED ON THE ROAD TWICE AGAIN, AND ONCE MORE IN AN UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE, WHERE IT WOULD NOT RESTART: AGAIN, NO POWER AT ALL, NO BRAKE LIGHTS OR HAZARD LIGHTS. THE CAR WAS AGAIN TOWED TO BUERGE, AND 2 DAYS LATER THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE FOUND A DEFECTIVE CONNECTOR ON THE BATTERY GROUNDING CABLE, WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE CAR WAS RETURNED

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 MINI, NEED 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 HAVE A 2003 DODGE NEON THAT I HAVE TOOK BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 5 OR MORE TIMES WITH THE EMMISION LIGHT COMING ON AND IT STILL IS DOING IT.

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. *AK

CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES IN A SUDDEN STOP FROM 35 MPH AND THE LAP/SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER'S KNEE TO HIT THE DASHBOARD, AND HIS CHEST TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER DECLINED TRANSPORTATION TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. *AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION ON A DRY ROAD CONDITION AT 30 MPH. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BROAD SIDE ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. PASSENGER SUSTAINED KNEE INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. ALSO, DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL BY THE LOCAL POLICE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.*AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF MY SISTER (WHO WAS DRIVING MY CAR) AND SHE WAS GOING 40 MPH. MY VEHICLE WAS HIT ALMOST HEAD ON. AND THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT FENDER. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MY SISTER HAS MULTIPLE HEAD, NECK AND BACK INJURIES. *AK

FEB 18,2005 WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO MY MECHANIC AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND THE WIRING HARNESS AND CONNECTOR HAD MELTED. *AK

I HAVE A DODGE NEON 2003. JANUARY 2004 I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE (OIL CHANGE/PLUGS. ABOUT A WEEK LATER A SPARK PLUG SHOT OUT OF CYLINDER ONE. I CALL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND TOOK IT BY THE DEALSHIP (DARCARS) THEY PUT THE SPARK PLUG BACK IN BUT MY CAR HASN'T RUN PROPERLY YET.THEY REFUSE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT'S TAKES A THOUSAND DOLLAR OR MORE TO FIX. I'VE HAD DIANOGSTICS DONE AND NOW THE CAR IS BE REPAIRED AT LEE'S AUTO SHOP WITH PROBLEMS HARD FOR MR. LEE TO FIX (ELECTRONIC PROBLEM IN THE NO. 4 CYLINDER; IT WON'T OPEN AND CLOSE PROPERLY. LEE'S DONE ALL HE COULD DO SO FAR (THE CAR NOW IS STILL IN HIS SHOP. IT'S BEEN ABOUT A WEEK). FURTHERMORE I WAS TOLD AFTERWARD THAT A NEW CAR DOSN'T NEED A TUNE UP FOR TWO YEARS. I THINK THE SERVICE GUY SHOULD HAVE INFORMED ME OF THAT INSTEAD HE TOOK MY MONEY WITH NO REFUND. THE EXACT DAY I DON'T HAVE RIGHT NOW BUT I COULD GET IT I HAVE ALL MY PROBLEM PAPER WORK. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN THE DRIVER BARELY TOUCHED THE PEDAL, ALMOST HITTING THE VEHICLES THAT WERE IN FRONT. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY OWNER.*AK