Dodge Neon Complaints (1998)

339 consumer complaints on file.

#737009November 28, 2000
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#735356October 28, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
NEEDS NEW HEAD GASKET AT 62,000 MILES. PAINT IS FOGGING UP ON THE BACK FOR NO REASON. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS COMPLAINING OS SIMILIAR NATURE. THE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COLUMN GOING OUT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY ALONG WITH THE HEAD GASKET. THIS IS A SERIOUSLY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#734991October 24, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM
WHILE I WAS GETTING MY OIL CHANGED AND TIRES ROTATED, THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY REAR DRUM BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE MECHANIC AT PRECISION TUNE IN ENCINITAS, CA, MENTIONED THAT HE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE DRUM BRAKE COMPONENTS. BECAUSE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED AND RUSTED THE INSIDES OF THE THE BRAKES, HE ALSO DID MENTION THAT MY RIGHT REAR TIRE DID NOT SPIN AS IT WAS SUPPOUSE TO SPIN DUE TO DAMAGE IN THE DRUM BRAKE. WHILE SHOWING ME THE INSIDES OF MY BRAKES, HE MENTIONED THAT MY CAR WAS ALSO LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. SINCE MY DRUM BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, THE DRUM BRAKES DISTORT MY FRONT DISC BRAKES FROM MAKING MY CAR STOP NORMALLY. THEREFORE NOT ONLY PUTTING MY LIFE IN DANGER, BUT ALSO PUTTING MY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS LIFES IN DANGER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#735014October 24, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
LEAKING OIL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#733619October 6, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
IN THE NEARLY 3 YEARS I HAVE OWNED MY NEON, IT HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS A TOTAL OF 8 TIMES AND STILL THERE IS NO RECALL INFORMAITION AVAILABLE FOR THESE ISSUES. NO SAFETY DEFECT DISCUSSED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#732611September 27, 2000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS RECENTLY IN A FRONT OFFSET (PASSENGER SIDE)IMPACT COLLISION IN MY DODGE NEON, AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND I WAS THE PASSENGER. HE HAD THE CRUISE SET AT 70 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNED IN FRONT OF US. WE LEFT 102' OF SKID MARKS BEFORE THE POI AND TRAVELLED ANOTHER 22' BEFORE THE POR. I CONTACTED DC ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT I HAVE BEEN BRUSHED OFF. THEY HAVE SAID THAT THEY DID AN INVESTIGATION, AND THE RATE OF DECELERATION WAS NOT MET. HOWEVER, MY CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY, AND IT LOOKS LIKE A CRUSHED ALUMINUM CAN ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED, AND I KNOW THAT WE WERE GOING AT LEAST 30 MPH WHEN WE HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE ROAD IS A HIGHWAY THAT HAS RECENTLY HAD NEW BLACKTOP LAID, AND IS VERY SLICK. I DO NOT EVEN KNOW IF THIS MATTER HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED. THE SUPPOSED INVESTIGATOR LOOKED AT THE CAR ON SEPT 19, AND THE LETTER THAT I RECEIVED REGARDING THAT IS DATED SEPT 21. TWO DAYS DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A LONG TIME TO ME FOR A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER. ESPECIALLY WHEN THE "INVESTIGATOR" COULD NOT HAVE LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE UNTIL LATE AFTERNOON ON THE 19TH AS I WAS AT THE SALVAGE YARD REMOVING THINGS FROM MY VEHICLE BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER FOR THE MAN WHO TURNED IN FRONT OF US. I AM SORRY TO TAKE UP TOO MUCH OF YOUR TIME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. SINCERELY, JAMIE EASLY. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#871372September 25, 2000
STEERING:LINKAGES
STEERING ROD FAILED, CAUSING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING. PLEASE PROVDIE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#732234September 22, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CYLINDER HEAD GASKET FAILURE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#870905September 19, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. FIRST GASKET REPLACED AT 45, 000 MILES, SECOND GASKET ABOUT 98,000. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 132,000 MILES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#730854September 9, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NOTICED SMALL OIL LEAK WHILE CHANGING OIL, LOOKED OVER ENGINE BUT DUE TO LIMITED VISIBILITY COULD NOT LOCATE LEAK.A MONTH OR SO LATER NOTICED OIL PUDDLE UNDER WHERE CAR WAS PARKED.MADE A FEW CALLS AROUND ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT FOUND OUT NOTHING.KEPT REGULAR CHECKS ON OIL LEVEL AND AT FIRST CAR USED ABOUT 1 QT OF OIL EVERY 2 OR 3 THOUSAND MILES.BUT IT STEADILY GOT WORSE SO I GOT A FRIEND OF MINE WHO IS A MECHANIC TO COME BY AND CHECK IT FOR ME.HE CAME BY AND GAVE IT A GOOD LOOKING OVER.ACCORDING TO HIM THE PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE THE HEAD GASKET.SUGGESTED I CONTACT A DEALER TO SEE IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM OR NOT.WELL I DECIDED TO CHECK THE INTERNET FOR BULLETINS OR RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM.FRANKLY I WAS ASTONISHED AT THE # OF COMPLAINTS I FOUND WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.IT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.(A BAD HEAD GASKET WAS USED)THERE IS A LOT OF THESE COMPLAINTS POSTED BUT YOU HAVE TO FIGHT WITH THE DEALER TO GET IT FIXED.EVEN THOUGH DAIMLER/ CHRYSLER ORDERED A NEW HEAD GASKET SET MADE FOR THIS CAR THE CONSUMER HAS TO FOOT THE BILL FOR THE LABOR ON THE REPAIR.OF COURSE I REALIZE THAT UNLESS FORCED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS, DAIMLER / CHRYSLER IS GOING TO STICK THE CONSUMER WITH AS MUCH AS THEY CAN.FINE,BUT I WILL NO LONGER EVEN CONSIDER THEM WHEN I PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE.THEY ARE NOW ON MY S_ _ T LIST.I WILL TRUTHFULLY TELL ANYONE ABOUT THIS AND THAT THEY SHOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER CUSTOMER SERVICE WHEN BUYING A NEW VEHICLE.THIS WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BY THE COMPANY.I AM NOT AT ALL HAPPY ABOUT THIS AND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE FEEL THE SAME. IN MY OPINION, DAIMLER/ CHRYSLER HURT THEMSELVES MUCH MORE IN TERMS OF FUTURE SALES THAN THEY WOULD HAVE LOST BY DOING THE RIGHT THING. BUT WE AS CONSUMERS HAVE COME TO EXPECT THIS FROM LARGE COMPANIES.PROFIT MARGIN AT ANY GIVEN TIME IS THE BOTTOM LINE.SHAME , SHAME N
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#869756September 6, 2000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH A SUBARU LEGACY, AND DRIVER/ PASSENGER AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DID NOT PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THIS CRASH. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#869451September 5, 2000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING A CAT CONSUMER STRUCK A TREE, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#869055August 29, 2000
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS REALLY HOT, IT WOULD SOUND LIKE SOMEONE BLOW A BULL HORN. MECHANIC SAID THE LEFT AND RIGHT BEARINGS MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND VEHICLE MISSED. THIS HAPPENED EVERY 8000 MILES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#728974August 24, 2000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I NO LONGER HAVE MY CAR, AS OF AUGUST 16, 2000 I RETURNED IT TO THE BANK. THE WARRANTY HAS LONG SINCE EXPIRED AND THE COST TO MAINTAIN THE CAR WITH ALL OF THE PROBLEMS IT HAS PROVED TO BE MORE THAN I COULD AFFORD, AND MUCH MORE THAN THE CAR WAS WORTH. MY MAIN OBJECTIVE HERE IS TO MAKE SURE THE PROBLEMS I HAD ARE KNOWN SO THAT MAYBE IT WILL PREVENT SOMEONE FROM BEING SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. GRANTED SOME OF THE PROBLEMS SUCH AS LEAKS AROUND THE DOORS AND TRUNK ARE NOT AS SERIOUS, OTHERS SUCH AS THE STEERING KNUCKLE WEARING OUT AND HAVING TO BE REPLACED, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN WHEN I RETURNED MY CAR LAST WEEK , TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, AND THROTTLE BODY PROBLEMS THAT CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL, WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I REALIZE THAT I WILL NEVER GET ANY OF THE MONEY BACK I HAVE SPENT ON THE CAR, BUT IF THIS KEEPS EVEN ONE PERSON FROM GETTING HURT OR KILLED IT WILL BE MORE THAN WORTHWHILE. CHRYSLER HAS DONE NOTHING BUT GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND, I WENT THROUGH ARBITRATION, AND RETAINED A LAWYER FOR THE LEMON LAW, BUT THE DEALERSHIPS FAILURE TO DOCUMENT EACH TIME MY CAR WAS IN FOR REPAIRS, MADE IT MY WORD AGAINST THEIRS, SO THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO LEGALLY TO MAKE THEM PAY. I KNOW OF 4 OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE HAD SEVERAL OF THE SAME PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD. I CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH A COPY OF ALL MY SERVICE RECORDS I HAVE, IF IT WILL HELP YOU. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT IN THESE CARS. THEY ARE A DEATH TRAP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#867829August 15, 2000
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
SUN ROOF HAD CLOSED UP. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNING BECAUSE TRACK OF SUN ROOF WAS OKAY. THEN, SUN ROOF JUST STOPPED WORKING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT DESIGN DOESN'T SUPPORT WINDOW BECAUSE OF HEAVY GLASS. CONSUMER STATED THAT DEALERSHIP MECHANIC DIDN'T FIX VEHICLE. TRACKS OF THE THE SUN ROOF WERE STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#867482August 11, 2000
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING 50-55MPH STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH MINOR INJURIES. *AK THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES SUDDENLY AND THE BRAKES LOCKED. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AFTER ACCIDENT DUE TO INFERIOR STRUCTURE AND BODY. THIS VEHICLE WAS SOLD BY DECEPTIVE TACTICS AND TO COVER UP PRIOR ACCIDENT, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REVEAL SERVICE RECORDS. *YH
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#727467August 10, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
CAR BEGAN TO OVER HEAT ON MAJOR INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. WHEN IT WAS REALIZED THAT PROBLEM WAS CRITICAL CAR WAS PULLED TO SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND DODGE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED. CAR WAS TOWED TO NICHOLS DODGE IN BURLINGTON, NC WHERE IT SITS AND WE ARE AWAITING DETERMINATION OF DAMAGE AND WARRANTY COVERAGE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#727204August 9, 2000
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
ON 08/08/00, AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL "LOCKED" AND I WAS UNABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE TURN. I HIT THE BRAKES HARD TO STOP MY CAR FROM HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAD TO YANK THE WHEEL HARD TO GET IT TO TURN THE WHEELS. LEFT MY CAR W/ DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE REASON WHY THE STEERING WHEL LOCKED WAS BECAUSE I HAD JUST GONE THRU A PUDDLE AND IT WET THE BELT CAUSING IT TO LOSE "TRACTION". IF THIS IS THE CASE, THEN THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND NOT WHEN I GO THRU A PUDDLE. MAYBE IN THE RAIN. IF I "NEED" IT TO SWERVE AWAY FROM DANGER, I MAY FIND MYSELF A "SITTING DUCK". IS THERE SOME WAY TO COVER THIS AREA SO WATER WILL NOT MAKE THE STEERING BELT LOSE TRACTION?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#867109August 8, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AT 87,000 MILES GASKET HAVE BUSTED, CAUSING A MAJOR OIL LEAK. CHRYSLE HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#725689July 19, 2000
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WOW! JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW STEERING WHEEL ON NEONS IS LOCKING MID-TURN (3 I KNOW OF) I HAVE TRADED MINE IN, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED 3X IN A MONTH TO FRIEND WHO WILL BE CONTACTING YOU AND TO AQUAINTENCE, AS WELL. DEALER SAYS "NOTHING IS WRONG" AS IT DOES NOT LOCK WHEN THEY DRIVE IT. (THE STEERING UNLOCKS AS MYSTERIOUSLY AS IT LOCKS)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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