Dodge Neon Complaints (2002)

173 consumer complaints on file.

#10178924January 17, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE HAD IDLED HARD SINCE PURCHASE. TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR KNOCKING SOUND ON START UP OF VEHICLE EVERY MORNING. OWNER WAS TOLD THAT SOUND COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. ON DATE OF INCIDENT, VEHICLE STARTED JERKING IN AND OUT OF GEAR ON HIGHWAY. LOUD WHINE STARTED AND INCREASED WITH ACCELERATION. OWNER PULLED VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER AND GOT OUT TO TRY TO LOCATE SOURCE OF SOUND. WHEN OWNER TRIED TO PUT CAR BACK INTO GEAR, GEAR SHIFT MOVED BUT DID NOT ENGAGE. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178928January 17, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE HAS CONTINUED TO IDLE HARD AFTER TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT IN NOV OF 2004. VEHICLE HAS STARTED TO STALL WHEN STOPPED. ON DATE OF INCIDENT, OWNER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE HOME IN A 55 MPH ZONE. VEHICLE MADE A SCREECHING NOISE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND VEHICLE STARTED TO SPUTTER. TRANSAXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE (FIRST ONE SHIPPED FROM MANU WAS DEFECTIVE). *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176776December 21, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DRIVING AT 49.9K MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THIS BEING 19.9K MILES AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRES (30K MILE WARRANTY). JUST MADE A LONG TRIP FROM HAMPTON, VA TO APPLETON, WI. ABOUT A WEEK AFTER ARRIVING IN WI, I AM HEADING TO WORK AND START TO HEAR A HIGH-PITCHED WHINE. WITHIN ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF HEARING THIS WHINE, I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARK AND RIDE JUST AS THE CAR STOPPED MOVING. I WAS STILL ABLE TO REV THE ENGINE, BUT NO ACCELERATION. I PLACED THE CAR INTO PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. I STARTED IT BACK UP, AND STILL COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO MOVE. PLACED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, AND THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN I TRIED TO PUSH IT. FOUND OUT, AFTER CAR WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP, THAT A PINION BOLT INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION (2002 MODEL) HAD BROKEN OFF AND WAS THE CAUSE TO THE SEIZURE OF THE VEHICLE. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND THIS HAD HAPPENED, THE CAR WOULD HAVE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND BEEN THE CAUSE OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT THAT, THANKFULLY, WAS AVOIDED IN THIS INSTANCE. NEW TRANSMISSION (2006 MODEL) INSTALLED. THE NEW SAFETY FEATURE FOR THIS MODEL IS THAT IT HAS METAL PLATES (BRACKETS) AROUND THE OFFENDING BOLT SO THAT THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. SEMI-OFF TOPIC: IF THEY (THE MANUFACTURES OF THE TRANSMISSION, AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE DEALERSHIPS THAT SELL THE VEHICLE) KNEW THIS WAS AN ISSUE (APPARENT FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF THE METAL PLATES FOR THE BOLT) WHY WAS IT NOT ANNOUNCED AND CORRECTED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY FOR THOSE THAT HAVE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 2002? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175908December 12, 2006
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE
TRUNK LEAKS WITH WATER COLLECTING IN THE SPARE TIRE WELL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175333December 6, 2006
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PLASTIC ADJUSTING VENT FOR THE HEAT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN GNAWED ON, AND THE AIR COMING OUT SMELLED LIKE FECES. THE CONTACT ASCERTAINED THAT A MOUSE HAD GOTTEN IN TO THE VENTILATION SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SPACE WHERE THE WIPER POST PROTRUDED THROUGH THE TOP OF THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED A CONCERN THAT THE MOUSE COULD HAVE CHEWED THROUGH THE WIRES IF GIVEN THE CHANCE. THE MAIN CONCERN WAS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SECURED FROM THE FORCES OF NATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173740November 17, 2006
SUSPENSION, WHEELS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON NORMAL RURAL ROADS, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY VEERED TO THE LEFT HITTING A SCHOOL BUS AND BANKING OFF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL SNAPPED OFF THE AXEL CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE CONTACT NOTICED SHAKING ON THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO PERFORMED TIRE BALANCING AND ROTATION. AS THE SHAKING PERSISTED, THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED A COMPLETE WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED THE ALIGNMENT AND THE SHAKING DISAPPEARED. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED A FEW MILES AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD THE ALIGNMENT PERFORMED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173021November 9, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN A LOUD POPPING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE AXLE WAS BROKEN. THIS MANUFACTURES DEFECT CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE CB UNIT AND THE ENGINE COMPUTER UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT WHERE THE CB UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEMS STILL PERSISTS. THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING A PART TO ARRIVE FOR THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO PERFORM A REPLACEMENT. THERE WERE NO RECALL NOR COMPLAINT FOUND ON THIS PROBLEM. UPDATED 12/05/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172267October 31, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AXLE FRACTURED. THERE WAS A NOISE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE WAS GRADUALLY WORSENING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO CHANGED THE AXLE, BUT AFTER A YEAR THE AXLE FRACTURED AGAIN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166464August 24, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
VEHICLE 2002 DODGE NEON 22,351 MILES ON VEHICLE. WHILE MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF GARAGE THE BRAKES FAILED. THREE PIECES OF FRONT DISK BRAKE PADS WERE FOUND LYING ON THE GARAGE FLOOR (STILL IN MY POSSESSION). BOTH FRONT INSIDE DISK PADS APPEARED TO HAVE BROKEN IN HALF. UPON CHECKING THE FRONT BRAKES I FOUND NO PADS IN PLACE ON THE LEFT INSIDE OF THE BRAKE AND ONLY ONE HALF OF THE BRAKE PAD ON THE INSIDE OF THE RIGHT BRAKE WHICH WAS STILL WITH THE VEHICLE, OBVIOUSLY THE REST OF THE PADS WERE ON THE FLOOR OF MY GARAGE. MY WIFE WAS SHAKEN BUT THANKFUL THAT SHE WASN'T DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WHEN THE BRAKE PADS FELL OFF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO JOE CECCONI"S CHRYSLER TO HAVE NEW FRONT BRAKES PUT ON THE VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT THIS WAS EITHER A DEFECT IN THE BRAKE PADS OR A FAULTY ENGINEERING DESIGN AND BECAUSE OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE CONSEQUENCES THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED I FELT THAT THIS INCIDENT SHOULD BE REPORTED. I'M ALSO SENDING A LETTER TO CHRYSLER IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166893August 18, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
2002 DODGE NEON CALIPERS ARE TILTED ON TOP OF THE ROTOR CAUSING WEAR. MECHANIC REPLACED ROTORS. *KB THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING DRIVEN ENOUGH.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163808July 28, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE FRONT ROTORS WERE COMPLETELY WORN. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163416July 25, 2006
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. NO PREVIOUS OWNERS. THE CAR IS A 2002 DODGE NEON 4 DOOR. THE PAINT BEGAN TO PEEL OFF APPROX TWO YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT IT. I TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT DODGE WOULD NOT HELP ME SINCE IT LOOKED LIKE THE PAINT WAS COMING OFF BECAUSE OF STONES HITTING IT. YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE WHERE THE PAINT IS ABOUT TO PEEL MORE, BECAUSE IT BUBBLES UP FIRST, THEN SPLITS, THEN PEELS OFF. THE PAINT WILL LITERALLY FLY OFF WHEN DRIVING AND YOU CAN SEE IT GO UP PAST THE WINDSHIELD. THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF IN SHEETS. I HAVE READ MANY, MANY OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THIS SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM. WHY ISN'T DODGE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS? I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE WITH NO RESPONSE. NOW THE CAR IS PAST ITS WARRANTY STAGE. SOMEONE SHOULD MAKE DODGE MAKE THIS RIGHT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163277July 24, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS,CALIPERS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160239June 20, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 2002 DODGE NEON ES HAS HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS LEADING UP TO THE EXPIRATION OF MY WARRANTY. EVERYTHING FROM ELECTRICAL ISSUES TO RADIATOR PROBLEMS TO THE TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT FOR SERVICE AT 65,000 MILES BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. MY DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINE. I KNEW THEY WERE LYING AND SURE ENOUGH, AT 72,000 MILES, 2,000 MILES AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED, MY TRANSMISSION IS DEAD. CHRYSLER CORP. REFUSES TO FIX OR EVEN DISCOUNT A TRANSMISSION FOR ME SAYING THAT MY CAR IS "ABOVE AND BEYOND" ANY WARRANTY. I DON'T CONSIDER 2,000 MILES ABOVE AND BEYOND, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE CAR HAD 5,000 MILES WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND WAS CONSIDERED BRAND NEW. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159666June 12, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCH
THE FOG LIGHT MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IN MY 2002 DODGE NEON WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE FOG LIGHTS WERE TURNING ON WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON. THIS CONTINUED FOR ABOUT A MONTH UNTIL SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN FOR ~30 SECONDS, UNTIL THE CAR WAS PULLED OVER AND THE IGNITION TURNED OFF. THE FOG LIGHTS NO LONGER WORK AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO MORE INCIDENCES OF SMOKE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET TO RECTIFY THIS, BUT THE DEALERSHIP WILL BE CONTACTED SHORTLY. WE FOUND NO OBVIOUS RECALLS FOR THIS FOR THIS VEHICLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156808May 4, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I HAD A CAR WRECK ON MAY 3 @ 5PM THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS AROUND 25-30 MPH. MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AND DO TO THAT I WAS THROWN INTO MY WINDSHIELD WHICH I CRACKED IT. I HAD TO GO TO THE DOCTOR FOR MY INJURIES. I AM ONLY 4 FOOT TALL AND I SIT TOO CLOSE TO MY STEERING WHEEL TO BEGIN WITH AND IN AWAY I AM GLAD THAT IT DIDN'T GO OFF. BUT IF I HAD A PASSENGER WITH ME THEY COULD OF BEEN HURT TOO. I ALSO NEED TO KNOW HOW I CAN GET A SWITCH PUT IN TO TURN MY BAGS ON AND OFF. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10155728April 19, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TOOK MY 2002 NEON SXT IN FOR TRANSMISSION WARRANTY WORK IN 2004...FIRST CHRYSLER DENIED THE CLAIM STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT COVERED (HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY!). HAD MY SPEED SENSORS REPLACED IN DECEMBER 2005 & AM TAKING THE CAR IN AGAIN TOMORROW TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AGAIN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154452April 3, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY CAR WAS WORKING FINE. ALL OF A SUDDEN WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR AND MADE LOUD NOISE. TOOK IT TO AAMCO AND THEY TELL MY THROTTLE REGULATOR BOX BLEW UP. MY CAR HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. I DRIVE IT 10 MILES TO AND FROM WORK. NEEDED A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION AS WHEN THE BOX BLEW UP IT SEND SHARDS OF METAL THROUGH MY TRANSMISSION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151683March 3, 2006
STEERING
THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE STARTED SINCE THE CAR HAD A COUPLE OF THOUSAND MILES. STARTED OFF WITH A TICKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL, TO A POPPING NOISE AND THEN TO CLUNKING. THE CAR ITSELF HAD A LOT OF THE SUSPENSION REVIEWED OVER 20 TIMES BY THE DEALERSHIP WITH "NO PROBLEM FOUND" THEY DID REPLACE STEERING COUPLERS BASED ON TSB'S BUT THAT DIDN'T RESOLVE IT. THE CAR STILL HAS A CLICK/POP IN THE STEERING WHEEL, WHEN ON TAKE OFF THE STEERING WHEEL STILL HAS THE ORIGINAL CLUNK. THE MAJOR CONCERNED IS THE STEERING!! AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 50 MPH THE CAR IS NOT CONTROLLABLE, IT SWAYS, SWERVES LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN TRYING TO HOLD THE CAR IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE FEELS AS IF ITS TURNING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS WHILE DRIVING, IT REQUIRES A LOT MORE EFFORT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN THEN A RIGHT TURNS. THE VEHICLE IS DEEMED UNSAFE BY ANY STANDARD, THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE DEALER SHIP STATES THAT ITS WITHIN "SPEC"... IF I HAVE TO COUNTER STEER ON A STRAIGHT LINE THERE IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE ALMOST HAD SEVERAL ACCIDENTS WITH THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE STEERING ISSUE, I AM STILL FIGHTING WITH DODGE TRYING TO GET A COURTESY DISTRICT MANAGER TO REVIEW THE PROBLEMS. THEIR "OFFICIAL" ANSWER IS THAT ITS OUT OF THE STANDARD WARRANTY AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL DODGE PAY FOR THE REPAIRS FOR STEERING ISSUES EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A PREEXISTING ISSUE!! THE DEALER STATED THAT MY LOSS OF CONTROL WAS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE OEM GOODYEAR TIRES, SO I BROUGHT IT TO GOOD YEAR AND THEY SAID THAT THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES. I INSISTED THEY REPLACE THE TIRES, AND OUT OF GOODWILL THEY DID REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED!!!.. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT AFTER REVIEWING THE CAR THAT IS THE CARS HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CAR. I KNEW IT WASN'T B/C THE CAR NEVER HAD THOSE ISSUES PRIOR TO THE 5000 MILES, THE DEALERSHIP THEN REPLACED SOME SHOCKS AND OTHER ODDS AND ENDS THAT MADE NO IMPROVEMENT TO THE VEHICLES STEERING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150791February 21, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
ON FEB 14, 2006 WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THE CAR STARTED MAKING DINGING NOISE AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO HOT AND I HEARD A BUBBLING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. AS I PULLED THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT, THE CAR STOPPED. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP IN TOWN AND THEY RAN A CHECK THROUGH THE ONBOARD COMPUTER SYSTEM. WHAT THEY FINALLY FOUND WAS THAT THE RADIATOR HAD AN INTERNAL FAILURE (THAT THE RADIATOR SEAL HAD FAILED) AND LEAKED BETWEEN THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS TO MIX. SINCE THE CAR IS A 2002 AND I HAVE HAD IT FOR 4 YRS AND 3 MONTHS WITH ONLY 68,348 MILES ON THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD HAVE BEEN STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT CHRYSLER REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY STATED, BECAUSE THE RADIATOR CAUSED THE PROBLEM AND IT (THE RADIATOR) WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS TO THE TRANSMISSION. I EXPLAINED TO THE REPRESENTATIVE OF CHRYSLER ON THE PHONE, THAT INDEED THE RADIATOR IS ONE OF THEIR COMPONENTS ON THE CAR AND ON A 4 YEAR OLD CAR IT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED (AS STATED BY THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AT THE DEALERSHIP), AND IT WAS FACTOR FOR THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE TRANSMISSION. IT WAS ALSO THE MAIN FACTOR THAT RESULTED IN THE CAR STOPPING WHILE BE DRIVEN ON A BUSY ROADWAY, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT, PERSONAL INJURY, OR EVEN DEATH. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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