1996 Dodge Neon engine problems

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO PERFORMED A TUNE-UP HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE EMISSION COIL AND ALTERNATOR BELT AS A REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS LATER DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA complaint #10568374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL BRAKING FUNCTION WAS LOST WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. SHE STATED THAT IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE SHE HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROTORS, BRAKE PADS, SHOES, REAR BRAKE DRUMS, AND TWO REAR FLEX LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, WIRING HARNESS, SPEED SENSOR, COIL, VALVE COVER GASKETS AND TIMING BELT ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA complaint #10404329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH MY 1996 DODGE NEON SPORT, IT HAS BEEN INOPERABLE FOR THE LAST YEAR OR SO, DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND STALLING WHICH I BELIEVE STEM FROM THE WIRING HARNESS. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED A FEW TIMES, THE A/C REPLACED, FUEL INJECTION ACTS UP AND THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATES, MY TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED SLIPPING, POWER STEERING AND EXHAUST ARE LEAKING, NUMEROUS OIL LEAKS, REAR LIGHTS/ BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE NOT WORKED IN OVER A YEAR, DRIVERSIDE WINDOW BROKE ALONG THE EXTENDING ARM INSIDE OF THE DOOR FRAME, TRUNK RELEASE IS BROKEN AND MY CRUISE CONTROL IS BROKEN! FOR THE LAST 4MONTHS MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING AT ATLANTA DODGE LLC! JUST AFTER LEAVING IT WITH THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT, I RECEIVED A CALL SAYING I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY AND UNTIL IT WAS REPLACED FOR $180 THEY COULD NOT DO A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK FOR ANY OTHER PROBLEMS!! THE BATTERY WAS NOT EVEN A YEAR OLD AND WORKED FINE WHEN I LEFT THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP!! BUT IN HOPES OF ANY DECENT SERVICE I BOUGHT ANOTHER BATTERY FROM ADVANCED AUTO PARTS $40 AND TOOK IT IN MYSELF. DURING THIS VISIT I REMINDED THEM THAT MY MAKE AND MODEL CAR WAS UNDER A RECALL, THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS NOT!! I GAVE THEM THE NHTSA RECALL DOCUMENTATION AND WAS TOLD THAT IT DIDN'T APPLY TO MY CAR, ONLY TO THE NEONS FROM THE PLANT IN NEW MEXICO!! JUST AFTER THANKSGIVING I DECIDED TO CALL THEM TO FIND OUT WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON. I SPOKE WITH BRIAN THE CS REP. AND HE INFORMED ME THAT THE MECHANICS COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR AND REFUSED TO RESEARCH ANY FURTHER UNLESS I AGREED TO SPEND NO LESS THAN $250 TOWARDS THE REPAIRS!! IT'S NOT A COINCIDENCE THAT THE SAME PARTS ARE IN NEED OF REPAIRS AS 15,000 OTHER NEONS -- REGARDLESS OF WHICH PLANT THE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLIED, THE DEFECTS LIE IN THE PLACEMENT AND/OR MANUFACTURING OF THE FAULTY PARTS AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER ANY RELATING RECALLS! *NM UPDATED 12/1505.

NHTSA complaint #10143833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

PURCHASED IN JULY OF 1996 ONLY PUT ON 26,345 MILES MOTOR MOUNT REPAIRED TWICE,BRAKES FRONT REPLACED THEY WERE COMPLETLY GONE ,BACK BRAKES ARE NO GOOD NEED TO BE REPLACED, HIGH PITCH SQUEALING COMES FROM THEM ,OIL GASGETS HAD TO BE REPLACED, STEARING TO A HARD RIGHT OR LEFT YOU GET A GRINDING NOISE, TRANSMISSION IS KNOW LEAKING CONSTANTLY HAVING TO PUT TRANSSMISSION FLUID IN ALL THE TIME HAVE A LIST OF PAPERS FROM THE CAR BEING SERVICED AT DAIMLER ON ANDOVER ST IN PEABODY WERE I PURCHASED CAR ALSO WROTE TO MAIN OFFICE TO SEE IF THEY WOULD REPLACE THE VEHICLE AFTER PURCHASING WITH CASH AND JUST GOT THE RUN AROUND KNOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE HER THAT IS WHY SHE ONLY HAS 26,345 MILES ON HER IN 10 YEARS I AM NOT A RICH PERSON SO I CAN NOT AFFORD ANOTHER CAR IF THERE IS A RECALL ON ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW SO THEY CAN BE FIXED SO I CAN DRIVE HER WITHOUT WORRYING WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT ALSO DAMPNESS AND MILDEW SMELL AND OTHER PROBLEMS.TIRES ALSO WERE REPLACED THEY WORE TO QUICKLY.

NHTSA complaint #10113995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE APPROACHING A STOP VEHICLE IDLED/SLOWED DOWN, AND DIED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO RESTART IT. THIS HAPPENED CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL DEALERS, AND THEY COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ONE DEALER CHARGED HIM $700.00 FOR REPAIRS, BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10091991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD CAUSED THE FAN RELAY TO MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT.

NHTSA complaint #10073007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD CAUSED THE FAN RELAY TO MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT.

NHTSA complaint #10073007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD CAUSED THE FAN RELAY TO MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT.

NHTSA complaint #10073007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD CAUSED THE FAN RELAY TO MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT.

NHTSA complaint #10073007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH VEHICLE BUCKLED, THEN SHUT OFF. CONSUMER HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE. HE HAD TO WAIT ABOUT 3-5 MINUTES BEFORE VEHICLE RESTARTED. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10073611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE REACHED HIGH TEMPERATURES DUE TO THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES THE ENGINE OIL AND COOLANT TO LEAK OUT OF THE ENGINE. ALSO THE FAN RUNS ERRATICALLY AND ON AND OFF CONTINUESLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE ENGINE TO STALL.

NHTSA complaint #10073538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

RECENTLY (IN OCTOBER), THE CAR STALLS INTERMITTENTLY. I HAPPENS IN LOW SPEED AND WHEN I DON'T ADD OIL. THERE IS A OIL WARNING TOGETHER WITH THE STALLING. USUALLY I CAN NOT START THE CAR RIGHT THEN. BUT IF I ADD OIL IMMEDIATELY AND KEEP ADDING OIL WHEN I TURN ON THE KEY, I CAN TURN ON THE CAR. WHEN I RELEASE THE OIL PRESS, THE ENGINE STALLS AGAIN. I TRIED TWICE IN THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER. THEY CAN NOT FIX IT AND CAN NOT FIND THE REAL PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10071098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE, WIRE HARNESS AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. *PH ENGINE AND WIRE HARNESS WERE REPLACED TWO OR THREE TIMES. LEFT FRONT PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. ENGINE BLEW UP FOR THE THIRD TIME AND WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. MECHANIC SAID THAT VEHICLE'S ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. ALSO, INSTRUMENT PANEL NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. AIR CONDITIONER (AC) WENT OUT AFTER TWO YEARS OF PURCHASE. AC WAS NEVER REPAIRED. VEHICLE OVERHEAT MOST OF THE TIME. CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ON ENGINE WIRING HARNESS MAY SHORT CIRCUIT DUE TO CONTACT WITH EGR TUBE FROM CHRYSLER CORPORATION.

NHTSA complaint #10062888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL

NHTSA complaint #10054646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I PURCHASED A 1996 DODGE NEON FROM BOBB CHEVROLET ON 12/28/99. THE SALES FOLKS WERE TIM AND WENDY RYAN. I PAID $6343.85 FOR THE CAR. THE SERIAL NUMBER OF THE CAR IS [XXX] WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR I ASKED TIM RYAN 2 QUESTIONS: (1) WOULD HE HAVE THE HEAD GASKET CHECKED AND (2) WHY WAS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. BYERS FIXED THE HEAD GASKET AND HE SAID THAT SLIPPING TRANSMISSION WAS A CHRYSLER THING. THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING ALL THROUGH THE SPRING AND SUMMER OF 2000. SO ON 9/8/2000, THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED AT BYERS. IT WAS BYERS INVOICE [XXX]. AT THIS TIME, I ASKED IF THE HEAD WAS RESURFACED AND CHECKED FOR CRACKS ALONG IF THE HEAD BOLTS WERE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT IF BYERS DID THIS AND WAS TOLD NO. I TOOK AWAY FROM THIS THAT THIS WORK WOULD BE TOO EXPENSIVE AND THAT WAS WHY IS WASNT DONE. I WAS TOLD YESTERDAY, 1/14/04 THAT I HAD A POSSIBLE HEAD GASKET LEAK AGAIN. SO I WENT BACK TO BYERS FOR HELP. TREAT SAID TODAY THAT CHRYSLER WONT COVER THIS WORK UNDER WARRANTY. QUESTIONS: 1.WHY DID THE HEAD GASKET LEAK AFTER 37,000 MILES? 2.IF THE HEAD WAS RESURFACED AND CHECKED FOR CRACKS AND HEAD BOLTS REPLACED AS I ASKED FOR IN 2000, WOULD I WILL HAVE THE PROBLEMS IN 2004. 3. HOW MANY OTHER DODGE NEONS HAVE BAD HEAD GASKETS AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 44000 MILES. 4. WHEN THE WORK WAS DONE ON THE HEAD GASKET IN 1/2000 AND 9/2000, WHAT WORK WAS DONE EXACTLY? WERE THE HEADS TAKEN OUT AND CHECK BY DEFECTS. I NEED TO KNOW SINCE I NOW THINK THAT THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM IS CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM, IE THE ANTI-FREEZE IS LEAKING. *CB *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #10054458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

REPLACED HEAD GASKET IN 2000 AND NOW NEED TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET AGAIN IN 2003.

NHTSA complaint #10037296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, TELLING THE DRIVER TO SERVICE ENGINE SOON. CAUSE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10030114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

OIL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10019717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

HEAD GASKET FAILURES SEEM TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. CHRYSLER WILL PROVIDE NO HELP EVEN THOUGH IT IS APPARENT THAT IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM. THE DECISION MAKER AT CHRYSLER WILL NOT SPEAK TO CONSUMERS. HOW CAN THIS CONTINUE?*PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768033

NHTSA complaint #10007448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN CAUSING LOST OF POWERSTEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10018173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED OIL.

NHTSA complaint #10016045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

MY 1996 DODGE NEON HAD TWO HEAD GASKET FAILURES TO DATE NOW. THE FIRST WAS REPAIRED 29,000 MILES AGO, AND NOW, AT 89,000 MILES, I HAD ANOTHER HEAD GASKET FAIL ON ME. THE CAR IS ALSO PEELING PAINT EXCESSIVELY. INSTEAD OF UNDER TEN YEARS OLD, THE CAR LOOKS OVER TWENTY YEARS OLD!

NHTSA complaint #10010376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

OIL LEAKED FROM FAILED HEAD GASKET OR CRACKED HEAD, EXHAUST LEAK FROM HEAD OR MANIFOLD. SPEEDOMETER DIAL STOP WORKING. THE CAR ONLY HAS 30000 MILES ON IT. MY REPAIR MAN WANTS $500.00 JUST TO TEAR DOWN THE ENGINE TO SEE IF IT IS THE GASKET OR A CRACKED HEAD, AND THATS JUST THE LABOR AND NOT INCLUDING PARTS. THIS IS A SAFTY PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE CAUSE FOR A RECALL. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS OR LIVES WILL IT TAKE BEFORE NHTSA TAKES ACTION AGANIST THIS CAR MANUFACTURING COMPANY?

NHTSA complaint #10008229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

OIL LEAKED FROM FAILED HEAD GASKET OR CRACKED HEAD, EXHAUST LEAK FROM HEAD OR MANIFOLD. SPEEDOMETER DIAL STOP WORKING. THE CAR ONLY HAS 30000 MILES ON IT. MY REPAIR MAN WANTS $500.00 JUST TO TEAR DOWN THE ENGINE TO SEE IF IT IS THE GASKET OR A CRACKED HEAD, AND THATS JUST THE LABOR AND NOT INCLUDING PARTS. THIS IS A SAFTY PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE CAUSE FOR A RECALL. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS OR LIVES WILL IT TAKE BEFORE NHTSA TAKES ACTION AGANIST THIS CAR MANUFACTURING COMPANY?

NHTSA complaint #10008229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

OIL SENDING UNIT ON 1996 DODGE NEON - FLAWED PART CAUSING SEVERE OIL LEAK, BLOWING HEAD GASKET

NHTSA complaint #10005617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

I HAVE A 1996 DODGE NEON. THIS CAR IS A COMPLETE LEMON,MY ENGINE SEALENT HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR OVER 2 YEARS,IM AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER THAT HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE SEALENT.

NHTSA complaint #10004990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

96 NEON [XXX] HEAD GASKET REPLACED AT 18,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10004922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER STATES THAT OIL LEAKS FROM THE HEAD GASKET CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE 3-4 QUARTS OF OIL A WEEK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH

NHTSA complaint #10002057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

1996 DODGE NEON WITH A LITTLE OVER 70,000 MILES ON IT. CAR IS LEAKING OIL..ACCORDING TO MECHANIC, THE HEAD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $700-$800. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NEON. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. IF NOT, IS THERE ANY STEPS I CAN TAKE TO HAVE THIS COST PAID BY DODGE? TS

NHTSA complaint #10000506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER NOTICE OIL ON THEIR DRIVEWAY UNDER THEIR VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICED, DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THEIR IS A LEAK INTO THE HEAD GASKET AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS TS

NHTSA complaint #8023126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.