Dodge Neon Complaints (2002)

173 consumer complaints on file.

#10239713August 25, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
RAPPING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM 2002 DODGE NEON ENGINE UPON COLD START WHICH WOULD STOP AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS. FIRST DEALER WE TOOK CAR TO SAID IT WAS CARBON BUILDUP; I KNEW IT WAS MORE THAN THAT AND BROUGHT IT ANOTHER DEALER WHO AT FIRST DENIED THEY HEARD THE SOUND AT STARTUP. I TOLD THEM TO KEEP THE CAR AND TRY ANOTHER COLD START - ENDED UP THAT THIRD CYLINDER PISTON WAS CRACKED AND FOURTH CYLINDER WAS SCORED AND THEY REPLACED THE SHORT BLOCK. LUCKY FOR ME, I WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THE COST WAS $100 FOR THE DEDUCTIBLE. CAR HAD JUST UNDER 42,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY - OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES, AND IS DRIVEN IN A MODERATE MANNER (NOT BEAT ON). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239055August 20, 2008
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN THE PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT THEN REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURY TO HER BACK. THE POLICE WAS NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO COLLISION SHOP FOR REPAIR ESTIMATES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT YET DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 84,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10238623August 18, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FELT A JOLT AND LOSS OF POWER. THE SPEEDOMETER THEN DIALED ALL THE WAY UP AND THEN BACK TO ZERO. PULLED OFF TO CHECK IT OUT, AS I SLOWED DOWN ON THE OFFRAMP HEARD A CRUNCHING SOUND AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. STARTED RIGHT BACK UP BUT WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION HAD LOCKED UP! I COULDN'T EVEN PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO PUSH IT OFF THE OFFRAMP. HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP WHERE THEY PUT IN A USED, NOT NEW OR REBUILT BUT A USED TRANSMISSIONS WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT FOR $1,800. THE CAR HAD 81,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF FAILURE AND IS BARELY SIX YEARS OLD! I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER BEFORE 75,000 MILES. BY FAR THE TRANSMISSION IS THE MOST UNACCEPTABLE COMPONENT FAILURE. AT ONLY 81,000 MILES AND SIX YEARS OLD DODGE NEEDS TO RECALL THESE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238425August 15, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2002 NEON DEVELOPED A TAPPING NOISE AT COLD START; THE NOISE CONTINUES UNTIL THE CAR IS WARMED UP. NO WARNING LIGHTS TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS; OWNER TOLD IT IS A ROD OR WRIST PIN, BEST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE FOR 4,600. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 44,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236230July 29, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2002 DODGE NEON SXT. FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW MY FOG LIGHTS HAVE NOT WORKED PROPERLY. WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ON MY FOG LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OF ON THEIR OWN. IF I GO OVER A BUMP THE TURN ON ANOTHER BUMP TURNS THEM OFF. THEY EVEN FLICKER ON AND OFF ON SMOOTH ROAD. I THOUGHT NOTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL I STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING ELECTRICAL BURNING. I THEN SAW A STREAM OF WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TOP OF MY STEERING COLUMN THROUGH THE HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME I TURN ON MY HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM REPAIRED YET BUT I NEED TO VERY SOON. I AM MOST SCARED THAT A FIRE WILL IGNITE WHILE I AM DRIVING OR THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WILL CAUSE MY AIRBAG TO DEPLOY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233455July 7, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE RADIATOR BROKE IN MY 2002 DODGE NEON. THE COOLANT WENT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS LAST 7/2007. NEXT THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID WENT 4/2008. NOW THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT. 7/2008 IN TALKING TO NUMEROUS REPAIR SHOPS I AM FINDING OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WITH THESE NEONS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I THINK ITS A DEFECT WITH THE WAY THIS WAS BUILT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231066June 15, 2008
STRUCTURE
MY 2002 DODGE NEON TRUNK ALSO FILLS UP WITH WATER WHEN IT RAINS AND FLOWS INTO THE BACKSEAT AND ON THE FLOOR OF THE BACK. IT'S BEEN ON GOING FOR A YEAR OR TWO. WHEN I FIRST NOTICED IT, I TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THE GUY SAID THAT HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND TOOK APART MY BACK SEAT AND SAID HE COULDN'T FIND WHERE THE LEAK WAS FROM. HE SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ME LIKE $100 TO JUST SPRAY IT WITH A HOSE AND SEE WHERE THE LEAK WAS. I SAID FORGET IT. I WENT TO OTHER SITES AND SAW THAT IT'S A COMMON FLAW IN THIS CAR. EVENTUALLY, MY BROTHER IN LAW LOOKED AT IT, AND HE UNPLUGGED A HOLE IN THE WHEEL WELL OF MY TRUNK...PROBLEM SOLVED! I WILL NEVER BUY A DODGE AGAIN, ESPECIALLY A NEON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228070May 17, 2008
STRUCTURE
EVERYTIME IT RAINS, I GET A TRUNK FULL OF WATER AND MY REAR FLOORBOARDS GET SOAKED. BY LOOKING AT THIS COMPLAINT SITE, I SEE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. WRITING DODGE MAY NOT HELP, BUT I HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225642April 24, 2008
STRUCTURE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216716February 1, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE FOGGY AND PROVIDED POOR ILLUMINATION. THE LIGHTS ALSO FACE DOWNWARD INSTEAD OF STRAIGHT AHEAD. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WHEN SHE WOULD SHIFT INTO DRIVE, THE GEAR WOULD SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR NEUTRAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,250 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000. UPDATED 03/18/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT IN 02/08 AT THE COST OF $1,864.18. UPDATED 03/18/08 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216263January 28, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
EA06-019 HEADLIGHTS & FOGLIGHTS DO NOT WORK, TRIED REPLACING BULBS, THIS DID NOT WORK. BELIEVE THE SWITCH IS BAD. VERY UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, THIS IS WHEN THE OCCURANCE HAPPENED. *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212097December 17, 2007
STRUCTURE
ANY TIME IT RAINS, THE REAR FLOOR PAN AND REAR SEATS AS WELL AS THE TRUNK FILL WITH WATER AND BECOME UNUSABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211809December 13, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. YOU WILL LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING IF THE BUSHING AND BOLT LET GO. ON AVERAGE MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP REPLACES 3 A WEEK. SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208908November 14, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE FUEL GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER, AND OTHER INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WERE INOPERABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER CAUSED THE FAILURE. AS OF NOVEMBER 14, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 46,000. UPDATED 01-10-08. *KB THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD AN INTERNAL FAILURE. THE CLUTCH, ALTERNATOR AND TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 01/08/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208134November 7, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT, STRUCTURE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP TO HAVE THE STRUTS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION K-MEMBER CORRODED THE VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,888. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF THE UNDERCARRIAGE CROSS MEMBER RUSTED. UPDATED *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206332October 19, 2007
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE AIR BAG COVER CAME OFF AND MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL. THE COVER WAS PLACED OVER THE HORN AND CAUSED THE HORN TO SOUND. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING ONCE AND STRUCK A CURB. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EXCESSIVE HEAT LOOSENED THE TRIM PIECE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG COVER WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,536 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,900.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201713September 2, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2002 DODGE NEON. IN THE FIRST YEAR I HAD THE CAR I HAD THE TYPICAL CAR PROBLEMS BUT NOTHING TOO MAJOR. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY 6 TIMES IN THE CAR, SINCE PURCHASE. IN MAY OF 2006, IS WHEN THE PROBLEMS BEGAN ROLLING IN. MY MAIN COMPUTER HAD DIED IN THE CAR, A $900 REPAIR. AFTER CONTACTING DODGE TO GET A NEW COMPUTER TO PUT IN THE CAR, I HAD TO WAIT FOR 7 MONTHS FOR IT TO BE SHIPPED, DUE TO SUCH A LARGE BACK ORDER. AND THE COMPUTER WAS ONLY SHIPPED AFTER DODGE WAS CALLED AND I HAD THREATENED TO CONTACT THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. THE DAY I HAD PICKED UP THE CAR FROM GETTING THE COMPUTER INSTALLED, MY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. SO I HAD TO REPAIR BOTH OF THEM. ONLY A FEW WEEKS LATER THE CAR WAS YET AGAIN IN THE SHOP FOR YET ANOTHER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW BACK ON, UPON HAVING THE COMPUTER CODE HOOKED UP TO THE CAR, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE IS A TRANSAXLE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE AND AN INCORRECT GEAR RATIO CONDITION IN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. THE CAR WILL NOT GO ABOVE 45 MPH. WHEN I START IT AND PUT IT IN DRIVE IT TAKES A FEW MINUTES FOR THE CAR TO RECOGNIZE THAT ITS IN THE DRIVE GEAR AND WHEN IT FINALLY DOES GO INTO DRIVE THE ENTIRE CAR JERKS. IT WILL DO THAT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THIS WILL NOW BE THE 8TH TIME FROM DECEMBER, 07 TO AUGUST, 07 THAT I HAVE HAD TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE TRANSMISSION. MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD, THERE IS NO REASON ON WHY I SHOULD BE HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS. I HAVE TAKEN CARE OF MY CAR AND IT HAS RECEIVED THE PROPER MAINTENANCE. I HAVE PUT MORE THEN $9000 IN THE CAR SINCE PURCHASE, HAVING TO GO AS FAR AS TO HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER TAKE OUT A SECOND MORTGAGE ON THEIR HOME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. AFTER LOOKING UP COMPLAINTS ONLINE, I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED?? WHY IS IT THAT THE ONLY RECALL ON THE NEON IS THE LIGHTING SYSTEM?? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10188822April 25, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE DUE TO A PLUG THAT BURNED OUT ALL OF THE WIRES IN THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED SMOKE ASCENDING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, AND THE GAUGES ON THE DASHBOARD AND ODOMETER FAILED. CHRYSLER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 63,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182609February 15, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2002 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR THE REPAIR OF A SCRAPE ON HER BUMPER. THE THE MECHANIC ADVISED HER THAT THE STABILIZER ARM AND BUSHINGS WERE A KNOWN DEFECT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ENOUGH INCIDENTS TO WARRANT A RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED SHE ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THE SAMETHING. THE VEHICLE HAS 32,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED SHE DID NOT HAVE THE STABILIZER AND BUSHINGS REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLEWAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32000.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182035February 8, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE, UPON HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE GARAGE WE WERE INFORMED, IT HAD A SIZABLE HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY ALSO FOUND AN OIL LEAK. TOTAL REPAIR COST EXCEEDED $600. THIS VEHICLE IS A 2002 DODGE NEON AND WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS RECEIVED PROPER CARE AS FAR AS OIL CHANGES, TIRES, SPARK PLUGS ETC. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT EVEN REACHED 60,000 MILES YET, AND WE'RE ENCOUNTERING SUCH PROBLEMS. IN ADDITION, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED US, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SMALL LEAKS, BUT IT WOULD BE VERY, VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR EACH LEAK, THUS THEY ONLY FIXED WHAT WAS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SLIP AND THE OIL LEAK, WHICH WAS ALSO SUBSTANTIAL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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