36 of the
553 complaints about the 1997 Dodge Neon are about the
electrical system — 7% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
55,000 miles.
1997 DODGE NEON DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WITH THE FAN RELAY.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THERE WAS AN APPARENT PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR FAN CIRCUIT. THE VEHICLE HAD DISPLAYED DIAGNOSTIC CODE P1491. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND THE SOLID STATE FAN RELAY. THERE WAS NO CONTINUITY ON PIN 18 OF THE BACK OF THE POWER CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR. THE PCM WAS DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE OUTPUT ON THE PIN. THE CONSUMER FOUND A BREAK IN THE WIRE AT THE C160 CONNECTOR. THE BREAK WAS CAUSED BY THE WIRE MANAGEMENT CLIP CHAFING AGAINST THE GROUP OF WIRES. THE PCM CONNECTOR NUMBER ONE AND IT'S COVER ARE NOW BROKEN AT THE CONNECTION POINTS AND THE COVER WILL NOT STAY ON AND THE WIRES WERE COMING OUT AND ARE EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10134549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesBeachwood, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACE AFTER 45,000 MILES.. BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2002.. BBRAKES ARE HORRIBLE.. BRAKES MAKE NOISE, SYSTEM OPERATING NORMAL FAN RELAY SWITCH .. NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.. AND WAS ALSO RECALLED.. IN ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO.. AND NEVER NOTIFIED.. FRONT END ALWAYS CLANKING.. WHEN U TURN..
NHTSA complaint #10129445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesBeachwood, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACE AFTER 45,000 MILES.. BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2002.. BBRAKES ARE HORRIBLE.. BRAKES MAKE NOISE, SYSTEM OPERATING NORMAL FAN RELAY SWITCH .. NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.. AND WAS ALSO RECALLED.. IN ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO.. AND NEVER NOTIFIED.. FRONT END ALWAYS CLANKING.. WHEN U TURN..
NHTSA complaint #10129445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE'S BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED.*MR THE VEHICLE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS A BAD BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, THREE TURN SIGNAL SWITCHES, A BLOWN HEAD GASKET, STICKING THROTTLE BODY, AN OIL PAN LEAK, ALL FOUR WINDOWS HAD AN AIR LEAK WHICH WHISTLE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT HIGH SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #10079946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saugus, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND GAUGES STARTED TO ACT FUNNY AND THEN IT STARTED TO SMOKE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND IS A TOTAL LOST.
NHTSA complaint #10018765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesOakland, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE MECHANIC STATED THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN, AND THE RADIATOR FAN RELAY SWITCH NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
NHTSA complaint #10006701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EAU Claire, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
WHILE PARKED, TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED OUT OF VEHICLE. DEALER FOUND TRANSMISSION LINES LOOSE. VEHICLE SHIFTING BY ITSELF DUE TO A STICKY CABLE. OIL LEAK IN ENGINE. DEALER FOUND HEADGASKET FAILURE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ENGINE RUNS ROUGH. CAMSHAFT REPLACED. VEHICLE SHAKES AND TREMBLES WHILE BRAKING. WEATHERSTRIPPING FELL OFF ON DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. ANTIFREEZE LEAKING. DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP. BATTERY CLAMP LOOSE CAUSING BATTERY LIGHT TO STAY ON. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8005218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chocowinity, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH NEONS MADE IN 97 AND THEY SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. ALSO THE PAINT IS COMING OFF. I HAVE SEEN MANY NEON'S SINCE I BOUGHT MINE, WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. . NO SAFETYD EFEC TMENTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #757823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Akron, OHCrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WELL LETS SEE THE FIRST DEFECT WAS A FAN RELAY WHICH WAS REPLACED 5 TIMES BEFORE A WIRING DEFECT WAS FOUND NEXT WE HAVE "HARD BRAKES" WHICH CONTRIBUITED TO AN ACCIDENT WHICH CAUSED 7000 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE AND 1 MINOR INJURY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WE FOLLOW THAT UP WITH A LEAKY HEAD GASKET WHICH CHRYSLER WAS KIND ENOUGH TO RETURN 1/2 OF MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES ALONG WITH WIRING DEFECTS AND AIR BAGS THAT DON'T COME OUT OTHER THAN THE FACT I HAVE HAD MORE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR THAN EVERY OTHER CARS I HAVE EVER OWNED THEY MADE UP FOR THIS LEMON BY HAVING A BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOO.
NHTSA complaint #735533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dover, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF WHILE STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. ALSO, BATTERY LIGHT AND SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON.CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #895675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dublin, VACrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
THAT IS ONLY SOME OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY NEON, THE SPEEDOMETER SENSOR WENT OUT AT 14,000 MILES, THE PAINT HAS BEEN PEELING EVEN AFTER CAR COMPLETELY REPAINTED AT MY COST PAINT PEELED AGAIN VA BEACH DODGE TOLD ME IT IS A DEFECT IN THE METAL AND PAINT THAT THE CAR WOULD HAVE TO BE TREATED WITH A CHEMICAL AND REPAINTED AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME, HEAD GASKET BLEW AND HEAD SEVERLY PITTED MY MECHANIC SAW 5 IN THE WEEK MINE WENT OUT ALL LEAKING FROM THE SAME AREA, ENGINE LOOSES POWER CONSTANTLY, TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEARS AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT WANT TO CHANGE GEARS CAUSING ENGINE TO RACE, CAR OVERHEATS PERIODICLY SINCE HEAD GASKET AND HEAD SHAVED, INTERIOR SENSORS FOR DOORS WORK RANDOMLY BUT MOSTLY DO NOT WORK, BACK UP LIGHTS BLOW OUT EVERY 2 MONTHS, CAM SENSOR BACKS OUT OF ENGINE PERIODICLY, FRONT END MAKES CLUNKING NOISE DURING TURNS WAS TOLD STRUT BEARINGS WERE BAD AND CAUSING NOISE ALTHOUGH AFTER REPLACEMENT NOISE CONTINUES, BRAKES ALWAYS NOISY CLEANING AND REPLACEMENT DOES CLEAR NOISE UP, AIRLEAKS IN WINDOWS OF THE CAR CAUSING NOISY RIDE, CAR DOES NOT LIKE TO START IN COLD WEATHER, POWER LOSS WAS NOT ABLE TO BE CORRECTED EVEN AFTER MECHANIC HAD THE CAR FOR 3 MONTHS AND COULD FIND NOTHING CAUSING IT BUT COULD RECREATE THE PROBLEM, AND AN O-RING ON THE FUEL LINE CONNECTORS TO THE "FUEL ACCUMILATOR" BLOW OUT (HAPPENED 6 TIMES SO FAR) CAUSEING GAS TO POOR OUT ON TO ROAD WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING AND ENGINE TO CUT OUT.. NEONS IN GENERAL ARE LEMONS, CHRYSLER EVEN AFTER CONTACTING OVER SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR REFUSE TO HELP ANY WITH COST OF REPAIRS DUE TO WARRANTY EXPIRED. WOULD LOVE TO GET RID OF THIS CAR BUT CAN NOT DUE TO ONLY TRANSPORTATION AND PUTTING ALL MONEY INTO IT TO FIX IT AND REPAIR CHRYSLER'S DEFECTS IN DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #745476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laconia, NH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEWOUT. HAD HAPPENED TWICE, AND EACH TIME WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH SPARK PLUGS.
NHTSA complaint #887467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roseville, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I BOUGHT THIS NEON IN AUGUST OF 1998, IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WORKED ON TWICE. WHEN YOU GO OVER 60MPH THE STEERING WHEEL RATTLES. THE SPEAKERS FOR THE RADIO WORK SOMETIMES. THE OVERHEAD LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN IT RAINS THE FRONT FLOOR BOARDS GET SOAKED WITH WATER. LAST MONTH THE I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE HEADGASKET, AND AFTER SEVERAL CALLS THE THE MANUFACTURER THEY PAID HALF, BUT THE NEXT DAY THE ENGINE STARTED TO KNOCK SEVERLY.
NHTSA complaint #744722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holded, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT IF IT WAS SITTING AT STOP LIGHT. DEALER REPLACED JUMPER WIRING AND RADIATOR FAN RELAY.ALSO, MANUFACTURER HAD A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. CONSUMER WILL ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATING TO TSB.
NHTSA complaint #887361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clayton, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR FAILED 6 MILES AFTER WARR. EXP. DEALER REFUSE TO HELP W/ ANY OF COSTS. NOW THE HEAD GASKET SAME FROM DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #739948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clayton, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
SIX MILES OVER MY WARRANTY MY ALTERNATOR WENT OUT. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO FIX IT. MY HEADGASKET WITH LESS THAN 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #739796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belcourt, ND
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND IS WORRIED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL CATCH FIRE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #784723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westmoreland City, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
FIRST- THE CAR BLEW A HEAD GASKET AT LESS THAN 24000 MILE. NOW WE CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR STALLING. THE FUSE UNDER THE HOOD FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTINUES TO BLOW. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM, I HAVE COMPLETELY REPLACED THE FUEL SYSTEM. IT IS NOW IN THE GARAGE FOR THE EIGHTH TIME. DODGE WILL NOT BACK THEIR PRODUCT AND THE DEALER JUST SENDS THE CAR OUT TO BE REPAIRED, SINCE "THEY CAN NOT FIX IT". THE VIN NUMBER THAT WAS SUBMITTED IS THE NUMBER FROM THE CAR. IT IS COMING UP THE WRONG NUMBER, THIS IS THE ONLY NUMBER I HAVE.
NHTSA complaint #736819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orange Park, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
I BOUGHT MY NEON USED (BUT ONLY A YEAR OLD) I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR MY BLINKERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES, MY TRUNK AND BACK FLOORS ARE GETTING DRENCHED (PUDDLES OF WATER 3 INCHES) MY BRAKES ARE SQUALING, MY DOOR LIGHT IS SHORTING MY REVERSE LIGHTS ARE BLOWN MY HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN TWICE. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEM WITH MY FIRES UNDER THE HOOD. THIS CAR IS MADE POORLY. I AM TRYING TO TRADE IT AND IT NOT AS MUCH AS I OWE. TALK TO DEALER BUT DOES NOT SEEM LIKE THEY WANT TO HELP.
NHTSA complaint #731841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
MY SISTER IN TN HAS A NEON THE DEALER FIXED HER HEAD GASKET THESE CARS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY ONE AUTO REPAIR THAT HE FIXES THESE HEAD GASKETS AT LEAST ONE EVERY OTHER WEEK DODGE SHOULD HAVE DONE A RECALL OR AT LEAST FIX THE PROBLEM I CAN NOT GET ANY ONE ON THE PHONE AT CHRYSLER AND I LIVE HERE. THEY SHOULD PAY THE COST THEY KNOW THAT ITS A PROBLEM. THE UP AND DOWN STREAM SENSORS WENT BAD IT COST ME $300. TO FIX. I KNOW A GENTLEMAN THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM HIS WENT BAD TWICE AND THE CAR DEALER PAID FOR HIS. I ON THE OTHER HAND COULD GET NO ONE HELP WITH THIS EITHER. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE PROBLEMS WITH THERE NEON'S AND PAY TO CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER ONE. IF CHRYSLER WANTS ME TO BUY THERE PRODUCT AGAIN THEY NEED TO MAKE THE FIRST ONE RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONCERN.
NHTSA complaint #728906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Village, AR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
MY CAR HAD EXACTLY 12000 MILES ON IT WHEN PURCHASED. AT AROUND MILE 43000, THE CAR BEGAN TO LEAK OIL. I THEN TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE VALVE COVER GASKET. THE REPAIR WAS TO COST ME $800 UNTIL HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS REOCCURING IN DODGE NEONS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THE DODGE DEALERSHIP TOOK CARE OF IT. THEN, AROUND MILE 70000, THE CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT TREMENDOUSLY, GOING DEAD EVERY TIME THE GAS PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BEGAN TO GO HAYWIRE, THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND AS WELL AS THE THERMOSTAT. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND FOR THIS TO BE MY DEPENDABLE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION, IT IS TRULY A JOKE. THE DODGE CORPORATION SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU!
NHTSA complaint #727119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Village, AR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
MY CAR HAD EXACTLY 12000 MILES ON IT WHEN PURCHASED. AT AROUND MILE 43000, THE CAR BEGAN TO LEAK OIL. I THEN TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE VALVE COVER GASKET. THE REPAIR WAS TO COST ME $800 UNTIL HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS REOCCURING IN DODGE NEONS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THE DODGE DEALERSHIP TOOK CARE OF IT. THEN, AROUND MILE 70000, THE CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT TREMENDOUSLY, GOING DEAD EVERY TIME THE GAS PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BEGAN TO GO HAYWIRE, THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND AS WELL AS THE THERMOSTAT. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND FOR THIS TO BE MY DEPENDABLE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION, IT IS TRULY A JOKE. THE DODGE CORPORATION SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU!
NHTSA complaint #727119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
MY CAR HAS HAD TO HAVE A CIRCUT BOARD, FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, AND NEW GASKETS AT ONLY TWO YEARS OLD AND 39280 MILES. I FEEL THAT THE CIRCUT BOARD COULD CAUSE CRASH OR INJURY BECAUSE I CANNOT TELL HOW FAST I AM DRIVING OR IF I HAVE GAS IN MY CAR. I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS A NEON WITH THE SAME PROBLEM (CIRCUT BOARD) THAT THEY HAD FIXED JUST THE WEEK BEFORE.
NHTSA complaint #711132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Griffin, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED OIL LEAKAGE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. VEHCILE HAS ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #857588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ringgold, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IN THE FIST MONTH I HAD THE VEHICLE IT BLEW 4 OXYGEN SENSORS.WHEN YOU GO TO BRAKE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL COMES ON, ALSO THE CAR WILL SHOCK YOU WHEN YOU GET OUT EVEN WHEN IT IS TRUNED OFF. THE LOCKS ON THE SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK SEAT HAS BROKEN OFF FOR NE REASON. THE BACK SE
NHTSA complaint #718897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wheatland, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
UNDER THE DASH ELECTRICAL WIRING SHORT OUT, CAUSING A FIRE, RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #849508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centreville, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF. VEHICLE IS HARD TO START DUE TO A SHORT WITHIN IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER HAS TO WAIT UNTIL VEHICLE WILL START UP. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #847874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centreville, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF. VEHICLE IS HARD TO START DUE TO A SHORT WITHIN IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER HAS TO WAIT UNTIL VEHICLE WILL START UP. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #847874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kentfield, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
THE ATTACHMENT WHICH COVERS THE AIRBAG / HORN ASSEMBLY IS LOOSE AND CAN BE PULLED OFF.
NHTSA complaint #845802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DRIVING 55MPH & NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. SMOKE NOTICEABLE HEAVIER INSIDE VEHICLE. LIFTED HOOD & FLAMES WERE AROUND ENGINE AREA. FIRE DEPT CALLED & PUT FLAMES OUT. WAS HARD TO DETERMINE ORIGIN OF FIRE, BUT INDICATED IT WAS ELECTRICAL WIRING.
NHTSA complaint #846434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.