Dodge Neon Complaints (2003)

202 consumer complaints on file.

#10335795June 11, 2010
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I REARENDED AN SUV DURING A RAINSTORM. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF MY CAR, AND SIDE PANELS WERE TOTALED. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CAR WAS A 2003 DODGE NEON. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT AND DAMAGE TO THE EXTERIOR FRONT OF MY CAR ACTUALLY LEFT MINOR INTERIOR DAMAGE UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL-PANEL PIECES BECAME DETACHED. I RECEIVED MULTIPLE BRUISES, MINOR CUTS, AND MAJOR HEADACHE FOR DAYS AFTERWARDS DUE TO THE FORCE OF HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL THEN MY SEATBELT JERKING ME INTO MY SEAT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10328005April 29, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE FOLLOWING IS, WHAT I CONSIDER A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM WITH THE 2003, 2004 & 2005 DODGE NEON SRT-4 MODEL CARS AND POSSIBLY OTHER MODELS THAT HAVE UNSECURED VACUUM LINES IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I HAVE TWO FIRST-HAND OCCURRENCES OF THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE DID NOT RESULT IN AN INCIDENT, BUT THE SECOND CAUSED DESTRUCTION OF MY VEHICLE AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN MY & MY SONS DEATH. IN THE FIRST INCIDENT THE SMALL VACUUM LINE COMING FROM THE TURBO BOOST GAGE AND THE CHECK VALVE BLEW OFF THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THIS LINE IS NOT SECURED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. IT IS ONLY A PUSH FIT. AS A RESULT THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY HARD AND I HAD ABOUT 20% BRAKING AT 30-40 MPH. TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN I ZIP TIED THE CHECK VALVE AND LINE ON THE BRAKE BOOSTER. IN THE SECOND INCIDENT THE LARGE VACUUM LINE FROM THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BLEW OFF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS RESULTED IN A VERY HARD BRAKE PEDAL AND NO BRAKES AT 70 MPH DURING VERY HARD BRAKING. THE RESULT WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT AND THE DESTRUCTION OF MY CAR. THIS LARGE VACUUM LINE IS NOT SECURED AT EITHER END AND ALSO HAS A COUPLING IN THE MIDDLE THAT IS NOT SECURED EITHER. I HAVE SECURED THIS LINE WITH CLAMPS AND AM EXPECTING TO GET MY CAR TO THE FRAME SHOP SOON. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS KNOWN BY A LOT OF NEON SRT-4 OWNERS AND THEY HAVE TAKEN MEASURES TO SECURE THESE LINES, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF OWNERS THAT HAVE NO IDEA THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10313086February 23, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2003 DODGE NEON AND WHEN IT RAINS WATER COLLECTS IN THE TRUNK AND RIGHT FRONT FLOORBOARD. IF YOU CHECK OUT WEBSITES ON COMPLAINTS ABOUT DODGE NEONS AND THEIR WATER LEAKS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OR MORE COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS. THIS WATER LEAK DOES PRESENT A SAFETY AND HEALTH HAZARD IN THE FORM OF MOLD COLLECTING IN A CAR. THIS DEFECT IN CONSTRUCTION NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I CONTACTED MY DODGE DEALER AND THEY WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10299895January 15, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 DODGE NEON SRT4. MFS IN STEERING COLUMN BURNT TO CRISP. NO MODIFICATIONS TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OR LIGHTS ON CAR HAVE BEEN MADE. CAUSED 2000 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE AND RESEARCH SHOWS SIMILAR PROBLEM ACROSS NEON MODELS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10299248January 6, 2010
STRUCTURE
LETTER FROM SENATOR BURR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT CONCERNING A WATER LEAK PROBLEM WITH HER 2003 DODGE NEON. *NJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10296585December 21, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE FOG LIGHT SWITCH STOPPED WORKING, THEREFORE THE FOG LIGHTS WERE ALWAYS ON. AFTER STOPPING AT A FRIENDS HOUSE AND THE LIGHTS WORKED FINE, THE HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON, AND THE BRIGHT LIGHTS COULD ONLY BE TURNED ON BY PULLING AND HOLDING THE ARM BACK. THERE WAS AN ODD SMELL, BUT I THOUGHT A FUSE MUST HAVE BLOWN. CHANGING THE FUSE DID NOT ALLOW THE LIGHTS TO WORK. I DROVE THE CAR HOME BEHIND OUR OTHER VEHICLE, AND WAS STOPPED BY THE POLICE WITH NO HEADLIGHTS. I EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND THEY GAVE ME A WARNING TO HAVE THE LIGHTS FIXED. SO I MADE AN APPOINTMENT THE NEXT DAY TO HAVE THE LIGHTS CHECKED. THEY FOUND THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH WAS MELTED AND THE WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO MY WIFE WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. NO HEADLIGHTS DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10296167December 16, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WAS GETTING READY TO DRIVE TO WORK. I TURNED ON MY HEADLIGHTS TO FIND THAT THEY WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. LATER I REMOVED THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH AND LOCATED A BURNED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. THE CURRENT REPAIR WILL BE TO REPLACE THE MULTI-SWITCH AND BURNED CONNECTOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293604November 25, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 DODGE NEON. PROBLEM, NO HEADLIGHTS. SMOKE AND A BURNING SMELL FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. ONCE IT HAPPENED THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AND WILL NOT COME BACK ON. THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH AUTO PARTS STORES OR THE DEALER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE PARTS WERE OUT OF STOCK AND COULD TAKE WEEKS TO GET IN. HE DID A SEARCH OF DEALERS AROUND THE COUNTY AND NO ONE HAD THE PART (HEADLIGHT SWITCH) HE TOLD ME THEY GET A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I HAD TO BUY A USED ONE FROM A WRECKED CAR AT A JUNKYARD TO BE ABLE TO USE MY CAR AT NIGHT. I RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND TONS OF PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. THE CONNECTIONS ARE MELTED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293333November 24, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NO PREVIOUS INCIDENTS WITH TRANSMISSION OR RADIATOR, FLUIDS BOTH FINE LAST TIME CAR DRIVEN, DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, APPROXIMATELY FOUR MILES FROM HOME, ENGINE BEGAN TO REV, APPEARED TO HAVE TROUBLE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BETWEEN GEARS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CHECKED AT LOCATION, RADIATOR EMPTY, TRANSMISSION FLUID LOW, CHECKED 30 MIN LATER, TRANSMISSION FLUID EMPTY, REFILLED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND LEAKED FROM RADIATOR- RADIATOR RUPTURE, UNSURE IF DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION FROM RADIATOR RUPTURE AT THIS TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293332November 24, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVING AT NIGHT, HEADLIGHTS WOULDN'T SWITCH TO LOW, THEN HEADLIGHTS CEASED WORKING AT ALL, EXTREMELY HOT, ELECTRICAL SMELL, MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MELTED, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292089November 13, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE NEON. HE TOOK THE REAR BRAKES APART ON HIS VEHICLE TO INSPECT THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE MAKING GRINDING NOISES. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINING SEPARATED FROM THE BACKING PLATE. ALSO THE ADHESIVE WAS SEPARATING. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290161October 28, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I OWN A 2003 DODGE NEON SRT4 THERE WAS A FIRE/SMOKING COMING FROM MY DASH/STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE PROBLEM IS FROM A BAD MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH IN THE 2ND GENERATION DODGE NEONS. THIS SWITCH IS RELATED TO THE HEADLIGHTS, SO POTENTIALLY THIS CAN BE DEADLY. FOR EXAMPLE YOU HEADLIGHTS CUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY, CAR SHUTTING DOWN, FIRE INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE CAR. I STILL NEED THIS FIX, I WORK NEARLY 9 HOUR DAYS WITH LITTLE MONEY TO FIX THESE MALFUNCTIONING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. PLEASE TELL DODGE TO CALL A RECALL THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10285454September 28, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I OWN A 2003 DODGE NEON THAT JUST SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING ON A FEW OCCASIONS. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS BLOGS AND SUCH OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR SHUTS DOWN WITH A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. NOTHING ELECTRICAL WILL WORK. I HAVE HAD THE CAR CHECKED OUT AND NO PROBLEMS CAN BE FOUND, NO CODES ON THE COMPUTER. WHEN IT DOES SHUT DOWN IT WILL NOT RESTART UNTIL I MOVE THE WIRES AT THE BATTERY. UPON INSPECTING THE BATTERY WIRES THEY SHOW NO SIGNS OF WEAR, CORROSION, BEING LOOSE OR ANYTHING OF THAT SORT. UPON TESTING THE WIRES FOR A SHORT FOUND NONE TO EXIST. THE MECHANICS AND DEALERSHIPS CLAIM THERE IS NO PROBLEM. DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTERS FIND NO PROBLEMS. ON THREE OCCASION THUS FAR WE HAVE BEEN IN NEAR ACCIDENT SITUATIONS, DRIVING ALONG AND THE CAR SHUTS DOWN, AND COMES TO AN UNEXPECTED QUICK STOP AND WITH A LOSS OF ALL POWER THAT MAY RESULT IN A FATAL ACCIDENT IN THE FUTURE. CARS DRIVING BEHIND ME HAVE NO WARNING THAT I'M COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD SOMETIMES UNABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO A SAFE AREA TO COME TO A STOP. AS MENTIONED IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR NOT ONLY OF THIS YEAR BUT OTHERS AS WELL. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OF SOME SORT BEFORE SOMEONE DIES IF THAT ALREADY HAS NOT HAPPENED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283982September 15, 2009
POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION:FRONT
PREMATURE FAILURE OF MOTOR MOUNTS. CAUSING POSSIBLE PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXHAUST SYSTEM, EXCESSIVE NOISE AND VIBRATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283767September 12, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A 2003 DODGE NEON SXT. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2008. 6 MONTHS LATER THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT. THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN AT ALL. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS TO THIS. AAMACO SAID THAT THE RADIATOR BLEW WHICH LED TO THE COOLANT AND TRANS. FLUID MIXING TOGETHER AND DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD NO WARRANTY BECAUSE THE CAR WAS BOUGHT USED. IT COST ME 3500 DOLLARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE CAR IS BURNING FUEL. I AM GETTING ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 17 MPG DEPENDING ON THE DAY. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS, INCLUDING A DEALERSHIP, WHO CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THE WORST PROBLEM YET IS THAT WHEN IT IS RAINING OUTSIDE AND I AM DRIVING THE CAR THERE IS A SMALL THUNKING NOISE, AND THEN A LOUD THUNKING NOISE THAT LOCKS UP THE REAR TIRES AND BRINGS THE CAR TO A SKIDDING HALT. SO FAR, KNOW ON WOOD, NO ACCIDENTS, BUT IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. AGAIN, THE CAR HAS GONE TO SEVERAL MECHANICS WHO CLAIMED THEY FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM. HAVE CHANGED EVERYTHING FROM AXLES, TO BRAKE CYLINDERS AND BRAKES. PAID APPROXIMATELY 1500 DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET, AND THE CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING. I HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN WHO I REFUSE TO DRIVE ANYWHERE IN THIS CAR FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283442September 9, 2009
TIRES
CUPPING OF TIRES NOT ASSOCIATED WITH NORMAL WEAR OR VEHICLE - VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE BAD ALIGNMENT, OR SHOCKS, ISSUE BEGAN AT APPROXIMATELY 20K MILES ON TIRES SOLD FOR 60K MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275830July 6, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING SPARK PLUGS IN OUR NEON, I NOTICED THE FUEL RAIL FOR THE INJECTORS UNDER THE HOOD HAS A LOT OF SEVERE RUST AND PITTING ON IT. IT MUST BE MADE OUT OF STEEL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER UNDER WATER SO THIS MUST BE BAD PARTS. I DON'T LIKE THE FACT THAT IT IS RUSTING OUT. ONE PIN HOLE AND THERE WOULD BE AN ENGINE FIRE. I HAVE MY CHILDREN WHO WORK IN A SALVAGE YARD LOOKING TO GET ME A RUST FREE ONE NOW TO REPLACE THIS ONE. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268763May 14, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE WHILE CAR WAS IN OPERATION + PREMATURE ACTIVATION OF AIRBAG. DRIVER WAS FORCED TO CLAW THE AIRBAG OUT OF HIS WAY IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND STEER IT OFF THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO KNOWN TAMPERING WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PRIOR TO THIS; CAR WAS USED, BUT HAD ONLY BODY WORK DONE TO OUR KNOWLEDGE. HEAT DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS SO EXTENSIVE THAT CAR WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. DRIVER SUFFERED SOME FACIAL AND NECK INJURY--POSSIBLY OTHERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10268322May 10, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED VIOLENTLY FORWARD CAUSING ME AND MY PASSENGERS TO SUSTAIN NECK TRAUMA, NOT SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH THOUGH TO REQUIRE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 150 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, WHICH HAS BEEN ALMOST 3 YEARS. THIS LAST TIME WAS CONCERNING ENOUGH FOR ME TO FILE THIS REPORT. MOST TIMES IT IS REALLY NOT THAT SIGNIFICANT OF A JERK OR LURCH, BUT DEFINITELY NOTICEABLE AND ANNOYING/CONCERNING. IT HAPPENS WHEN I AM USUALLY STOPPED AND START TO PROCEED, AND THE SPEEDOMETER WILL SHOW A DROP IN SPEED, HESITATE, AND JERK THE CAR FORWARD. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR AND HAVE HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE TWICE. ONCE THEY REPLACED THE GAS CAP, AND ONCE THEY REPLACED THE OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR. I HAVE SINCE BEEN ONLINE LOOKING FOR OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME, AND BELIEVE ME, THERE ARE MANY, AND FIND THAT IT IS THE OXYGEN SENSOR THAT CAUSES THIS PROBLEM. IF I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR JERKING FORWARD, ENOUGH TO CAUSE MY NECK TO ALMOST SUSTAIN WHIPLASH, I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE CAR, AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BY YOUR AGENCY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266262April 21, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, IT STARTED RAINING AND I TURNED MY HEADLIGHTS ON. THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON BUT THE DRIVING LIGHTS DID, I FLIP THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH UP TO HIGH BEAMS AND THE BRIGHTS WORKED. I NOTICED IN THE PROCESS THAT SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN AND IT SMELLED LIKE WIRES BURNING. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, AFTER IT HAD RAINED. I SET MY CRUISE CONTROL, THE FIRST TIME, USED IT SINCE THE SMOKE. I SET THE CRUISE AT 75 MPH. THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING TO 80 THE COMPUTER CAUGHT THE INCREASE AND DOWNSHIFTED ON IT'S OWN. ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER, THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING AGAIN, THIS TIME IT WAS UP TO 90 MPH, AND CONTINUING TO GAIN SPEED. I PRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON TO RELEASE THE CRUISE AND NEITHER WORKED. I WAS COMING UP ON THE EXIT THAT I WAS NEEDING TO TAKE. I DOWN SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC TO 2ND AND 1ST THE CAR SLOWED, BUT NOT ENOUGH. I SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND STILL THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EXIT RAMP THERE WAS A WIDE SPOT THAT I KNEW THAT I COULD USE IF A CAR WAS COMING. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EXIT RAMP I WAS FINALLY DOWN TO 30 MPH BUT STILL NOT ABLE TO STOP. I FINALLY PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, STILL THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. FINALLY WHEN THE CAR WAS HEADED UP A HILL THE CAR SLOWED TO 10 MPH AND I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. FINALLY, I STOPPED WITHOUT ANY DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, AND WITH OUT LEAVING THE ROAD. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED SINCE THE SMOKE AND HEADLIGHTS HAVE NOT WORKED ON DIM. THE DODGE PLACE, DALTON, GA IS SAYS THAT THE MULTI FUNCTIONAL SWITCH THAT CONTROL THE HEADLIGHT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO LOCKUP THAT IS ON A DIFFERENT CONTROL. HOW MANY LIVES HAVE TO BE INJURED OR LOST BEFORE CHRYSLER ISSUES A RECALL FOR THEIR CARS. I HAD MY 8 & 10 YR OLDS WITH ME EARLIER, AND HAD JUST DROPPED THEM OFF. IS FIXING YOUR PARTS THAT ARE INSTALLED ON CARS BY MANUFACTURERS WORTH MORE THAN 3+ LIVES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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