FaultScore

FaultScore report

1999 Dodge Neon problems

Owners have filed 152 complaints about the 1999 Dodge Neon with NHTSA between 1999 and 2018. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 12 worst.

C

FaultScore 47/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Dodge Neon.

How this is worked out

The numbers

152

Complaints

29

Crashes reported

5

Fires reported

18

Injuries reported

2 complaints report a death.

59,995 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

23%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 18 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 39 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 18
Against the median year of the Dodge Neon. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
35.5% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 39
23% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1999 compares with every other Dodge Neon

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1999 Dodge Neon

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 59 38.8%

1 crashes, 1 fires · median 56,017 mi

2 crashes, 3 fires · median 82,000 mi

Airbags 13 8.6%

11 crashes, 0 fires · median 86,000 mi

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 9 5.9%

Median failure at 60,495 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 9 5.9%

Median failure at 47,500 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 6 3.9%

Median failure at 184,750 miles

Suspension 6 3.9%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 50,203 mi

Brakes 6 3.9%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 67,000 mi

Steering 6 3.9%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 13,000 mi

Seat Belts 5 3.3%

3 crashes, 1 fires

Equipment & Accessories 4 2.6%

Median failure at 24,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 3 2.0%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 24,000 mi

Tires 3 2.0%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 44,000 mi

Body & Structure 3 2.0%

Median failure at 235,500 miles

Seats 2 1.3%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Lights 2 1.3%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 2 1.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Engine 40 58.0%
Frontal 8 11.6%
Automatic Transmission 5 7.2%
Gasoline 4 5.8%
Exhaust System 4 5.8%
Sun/Moon Roof Assembly 3 4.3%
Front Underhood 3 4.3%
Electrical 2 2.9%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 3 6.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 6 13.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 8 18.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 18 40.9%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 4 9.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 2 4.5%
150,000+ miles 3 6.8%

NHTSA crash tests

The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.

These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.

Configuration Overall Front Side Rollover
1999 Dodge Neon 4-DR.

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Mar 1999 peak 17 Sep 2018

NHTSA investigations into the 1999 Dodge Neon

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

PE02082 Opened 6 Nov 2002 Closed 23 Apr 2003 SEAT BELTS

SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE

THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.

Recalls on the 1999 Dodge Neon

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

06E049000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

06E026000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

LOS Osos, CA 1 injured

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

A 20" AREA ON RIGHT-HAND SIDE BETWEEN WINDSHIELD AND DOOR WINDOW WITH MIRROR OBSTRUCTING VIEW FROM DRIVER WHOSE SEAT IS FORWARD BECAUSE OF HEIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10300450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,390 miles Vestal, NY Crash

STEERING

1999 DODGE NEON SPORT - STEERING LOCKS UP UNDER VEHICLE MOTION, SEEMS TO PULL CAR TO THE SIDE. HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE MOST RECENT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. WHILE TRAVELING ON A CLEAR, DRY DAY AT HIGHWAY SPEED (55 MPH+), A LANE CHANGE FROM THE RIGHT TO PASSING LANE WAS ATTEMPTED. AS THE VEHICLE WAS STEERED INTO THE LEFT LANE, THE STEERING LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK TO THE RIGHT. IN AN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR, THE STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME UNLOCKED, CAUSING OVER CORRECTION. NOW THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING HARD LEFT, CORRECTION ATTEMPT BACK TO THE RIGHT CAUSED VEHICLE TO SPIN UNCONTROLLABLY, CROSSING 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC, LEAVING THE ROADWAY, PASSING BETWEEN 2 METAL LIGHT POLES, AND STOPPING IN A DITCH. NO INJURIES, COLLISIONS WITH OTHER VEHICLES OR OBJECTS, OR MAJOR VEHICLE DAMAGE OCCURRED. VEHICLE WAS REMOVED FROM DITCH BY A TOW-TRUCK AND WAS DRIVEN HOME. CHECK OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM REVEALS FULL FLUID LEVEL, BELTS SEEM TIGHT, NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS SEEN. WILL HAVE VEHICLE EVALUATED BY MECHANIC ASAP.

NHTSA complaint #10098400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,000 miles Cleveland, OH Crash

SUSPENSION

I CAN NOT GIVE EXACT DATES BUT HAVE ALL SERVICE BILLS. I HAD THE HEAD GASKET CHANGED WHEN IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE AIR COMPRESSOR IS BAD AND NOW MY STRUTS ARE BAD ALL AT 44 THOUSAND MILES. ALL THE TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WERE REPLACED WAY BEFORE THE WARRANTY. I HAD MIDAS PUT MY NEW BRAKES ON SO I DON'T HAVE TO KEEP GOING BACK AND REPLACING THEM THROUGH SPIZTER DODGE. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I EVER HAD AND I HAD A YUGO THAT SAYS ALOT

NHTSA complaint #10070476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,000 miles Cleveland, OH Crash

TIRES

I CAN NOT GIVE EXACT DATES BUT HAVE ALL SERVICE BILLS. I HAD THE HEAD GASKET CHANGED WHEN IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE AIR COMPRESSOR IS BAD AND NOW MY STRUTS ARE BAD ALL AT 44 THOUSAND MILES. ALL THE TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WERE REPLACED WAY BEFORE THE WARRANTY. I HAD MIDAS PUT MY NEW BRAKES ON SO I DON'T HAVE TO KEEP GOING BACK AND REPLACING THEM THROUGH SPIZTER DODGE. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I EVER HAD AND I HAD A YUGO THAT SAYS ALOT

NHTSA complaint #10070476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,000 miles Cleveland, OH Crash

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I CAN NOT GIVE EXACT DATES BUT HAVE ALL SERVICE BILLS. I HAD THE HEAD GASKET CHANGED WHEN IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE AIR COMPRESSOR IS BAD AND NOW MY STRUTS ARE BAD ALL AT 44 THOUSAND MILES. ALL THE TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WERE REPLACED WAY BEFORE THE WARRANTY. I HAD MIDAS PUT MY NEW BRAKES ON SO I DON'T HAVE TO KEEP GOING BACK AND REPLACING THEM THROUGH SPIZTER DODGE. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I EVER HAD AND I HAD A YUGO THAT SAYS ALOT

NHTSA complaint #10070476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,000 miles Cleveland, OH Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I CAN NOT GIVE EXACT DATES BUT HAVE ALL SERVICE BILLS. I HAD THE HEAD GASKET CHANGED WHEN IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE AIR COMPRESSOR IS BAD AND NOW MY STRUTS ARE BAD ALL AT 44 THOUSAND MILES. ALL THE TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WERE REPLACED WAY BEFORE THE WARRANTY. I HAD MIDAS PUT MY NEW BRAKES ON SO I DON'T HAVE TO KEEP GOING BACK AND REPLACING THEM THROUGH SPIZTER DODGE. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I EVER HAD AND I HAD A YUGO THAT SAYS ALOT

NHTSA complaint #10070476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Emerson, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

RECENTLY BOUGHT A 99 DODGE NEON. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AS WHOLE WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND OFTENTIMES THE SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK EVEN WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THE THE COLD SODERS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE TO BLAME, AND ARE BAD ON MOST CHRYSLER VEHICLES FROM THIS ERROR. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #11124007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,000 miles Looneyville, WV

AIR BAGS

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND IS STAYING ON AT ALL TIMES. ALSO THE HORN DOES NOT WORK THROUGH THE COLUMN.

NHTSA complaint #11100481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 235,500 miles West Townsend, MA

STRUCTURE

ON 5/614, I NOTICED A SHREDDED PIECE OF PLASTIC FROM A BLUE TARP WAS UNDER MY 1999 DODGE NEON. APPARENTLY IT HAD BLOWN UNDER THE CAR BY THE WIND. I PULLED THE PLASTIC PIECE OUT FROM UNDER MY CAR, AND IN SO DOING I HEARD A DISTINCT "TWANG" NOISE. CURIOUS, I KNELT DOWN AND PEERED UNDER THE CAR AND WAS HORRIFIED TO SEE ONE OF THE METAL STRAPS THAT HOLDS THE FUEL TANK UP WAS BROKEN DUE TO CORROSION. ONE SECTION WAS HANGING DOWN SEVERAL INCHES, BUT NOT LONG ENOUGH TO REACH THE GROUND. THERE ARE TWO STRAPS THAT HOLD THE TANK IN PLACE, THE SECOND STRAP IS ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY RUSTED BUT STILL APPEARS TO BE INTACT WITH NO APPARENT VISIBLE RUST-THROUGH. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SERIOUS ISSUE. IF BOTH STRAPS LET GO THERE IS NOTHING TO HOLD THE TANK UP WHICH WOULD RESULT IN THE TANK DROPPING TO THE ROAD WITH THE END RESULT BEING AN ABSOLUTE DISASTER. IF IT WASN'T FOR A WIND BLOWN, 3 FOOT LONG PIECE OF SHREDDED PLASTIC GETTING SNAGGED ON MY FUEL TANK STRAP, I MOST LIKELY WOULD NEVER HAVE KNOWN THERE TO BE A PROBLEM. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THIS HASN'T ALREADY HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE.

NHTSA complaint #10587153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 235,500 miles West Townsend, MA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ON 5/614, I NOTICED A SHREDDED PIECE OF PLASTIC FROM A BLUE TARP WAS UNDER MY 1999 DODGE NEON. APPARENTLY IT HAD BLOWN UNDER THE CAR BY THE WIND. I PULLED THE PLASTIC PIECE OUT FROM UNDER MY CAR, AND IN SO DOING I HEARD A DISTINCT "TWANG" NOISE. CURIOUS, I KNELT DOWN AND PEERED UNDER THE CAR AND WAS HORRIFIED TO SEE ONE OF THE METAL STRAPS THAT HOLDS THE FUEL TANK UP WAS BROKEN DUE TO CORROSION. ONE SECTION WAS HANGING DOWN SEVERAL INCHES, BUT NOT LONG ENOUGH TO REACH THE GROUND. THERE ARE TWO STRAPS THAT HOLD THE TANK IN PLACE, THE SECOND STRAP IS ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY RUSTED BUT STILL APPEARS TO BE INTACT WITH NO APPARENT VISIBLE RUST-THROUGH. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SERIOUS ISSUE. IF BOTH STRAPS LET GO THERE IS NOTHING TO HOLD THE TANK UP WHICH WOULD RESULT IN THE TANK DROPPING TO THE ROAD WITH THE END RESULT BEING AN ABSOLUTE DISASTER. IF IT WASN'T FOR A WIND BLOWN, 3 FOOT LONG PIECE OF SHREDDED PLASTIC GETTING SNAGGED ON MY FUEL TANK STRAP, I MOST LIKELY WOULD NEVER HAVE KNOWN THERE TO BE A PROBLEM. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THIS HASN'T ALREADY HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE.

NHTSA complaint #10587153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Osos, CA 1 injured

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

A 20" AREA ON RIGHT-HAND SIDE BETWEEN WINDSHIELD AND DOOR WINDOW WITH MIRROR OBSTRUCTING VIEW FROM DRIVER WHOSE SEAT IS FORWARD BECAUSE OF HEIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10300450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vina, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

I HAVE A DODGE NEON WHICH KEEPS STALLING IN TRAFFIC. IT KEEPS BLOWING FUSES. IT IS 1999 MODEL.

NHTSA complaint #10227955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 134,000 miles Oswego, IL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS NOTICED. UPON INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL LINE INTO THE FUEL RAIL HAD DEVELOPED SEVERAL PIN HOLE LEAKS. GASOLINE WAS SPRAYING OUT INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10166232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,950 miles Racine, WI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW AND IT CURRENTLY HAS 44,000 MILES. ENGINE NOW LEAKS LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL, SO BADLY THAT I AM ADDING 1-2 QUARTS 3 TIMES A WEEK. PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE THE HEAD GASKET AND ESTIMATES FOR REPAIR RANGE FROM 700-1200.00. HOW CAN SUCH A LARGE COMPANY SCAM SO MANY INNOCENT CONSUMERS AND NOTHING BE DONE???????

NHTSA complaint #10110290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,000 miles Watertown, NY

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

WHEN DRIVING THROUGH RAIN OR THROUGH A PUDDLE THE STEERING GOES OUT AND LOCKS UP. WHEN THE DRIVER IS TRYING TO TURN LEFT VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO GO RIGHT. ALSO, THERE IS AN OIL LEAK. IT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED FROM WHERE THE LEAK ORIGINATED. THE VEHICLE IS LOSING ABOUT 2 QUARTS PER DAY. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ARE COVERED WITH OIL, BUT THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DETECT THE OIL LEAK.

NHTSA complaint #10103789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,000 miles Watertown, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHEN DRIVING THROUGH RAIN OR THROUGH A PUDDLE THE STEERING GOES OUT AND LOCKS UP. WHEN THE DRIVER IS TRYING TO TURN LEFT VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO GO RIGHT. ALSO, THERE IS AN OIL LEAK. IT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED FROM WHERE THE LEAK ORIGINATED. THE VEHICLE IS LOSING ABOUT 2 QUARTS PER DAY. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ARE COVERED WITH OIL, BUT THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DETECT THE OIL LEAK.

NHTSA complaint #10103789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,390 miles Vestal, NY Crash

STEERING

1999 DODGE NEON SPORT - STEERING LOCKS UP UNDER VEHICLE MOTION, SEEMS TO PULL CAR TO THE SIDE. HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE MOST RECENT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. WHILE TRAVELING ON A CLEAR, DRY DAY AT HIGHWAY SPEED (55 MPH+), A LANE CHANGE FROM THE RIGHT TO PASSING LANE WAS ATTEMPTED. AS THE VEHICLE WAS STEERED INTO THE LEFT LANE, THE STEERING LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK TO THE RIGHT. IN AN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR, THE STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME UNLOCKED, CAUSING OVER CORRECTION. NOW THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING HARD LEFT, CORRECTION ATTEMPT BACK TO THE RIGHT CAUSED VEHICLE TO SPIN UNCONTROLLABLY, CROSSING 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC, LEAVING THE ROADWAY, PASSING BETWEEN 2 METAL LIGHT POLES, AND STOPPING IN A DITCH. NO INJURIES, COLLISIONS WITH OTHER VEHICLES OR OBJECTS, OR MAJOR VEHICLE DAMAGE OCCURRED. VEHICLE WAS REMOVED FROM DITCH BY A TOW-TRUCK AND WAS DRIVEN HOME. CHECK OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM REVEALS FULL FLUID LEVEL, BELTS SEEM TIGHT, NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS SEEN. WILL HAVE VEHICLE EVALUATED BY MECHANIC ASAP.

NHTSA complaint #10098400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Bruno, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE NEON. ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO I NOTICED AN OIL LEAK. IT KEPT GETTING WORSE TO WHERE I WAS PUTTING IN A QUART OF OIL A WEEK. ESTIMATES TO HAVE IT FIXED WERE VERY EXPENSIVE. I FINALLY DECIDED TO HAVE IT FIXED TWO WEEKS AGO BECAUSE I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS CAR. THE LEAK WAS DUE TO A GASKET PROBLEM AND IT COST ME ALMOST $1000.00 TO REPLACE IT. MY CAR IS ONLY FOR YEARS OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON IT, THIS SHOULD NOT OCCUR IN A CAR OF THIS AGE. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER NEON OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, I FEEL THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THIS PART. DODGE/ CHRYSLER SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10093791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,990 miles Detroit, MI

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE NEON. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN MAY 2002 AT BRUCE CAMPBELL DODGE IN REDFORD, MICHIGAN. MY SUNROOF WENT OUT IN SEPTEMBER 2002. AFTER ARGUING WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER, THEY REPLACED THE SWITCH (OR THE WIRES). I HAVE THE POWERTRAIN EXTENDED WARRANTY (ADDED CARE). THE NEXT OCCURENCE (MAY, 2004) WAS WHEN I KEPT HEARING NOISE IN MY DRIVER WHEEL AREA. I TOOK MY CARE TO BRUCE CAMPBELL TO CHECK 3 TIMES, THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. AFTER THE 3RD TIME, I TOOK IT TO BIRMINGHAM CHRYSLER AND ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT IT AND THEY TOLD ME THE CYLINDER WAS CRACKED. I WAS GRATEFUL THAT MY WARRANTY COVERED THAT PROBLEM (I WAS WITHOUT MY CAR FOR 2 WEEKS). I STILL HAVE A TREMBLE IN MY STEERING WHEEL WHEN I REACH THE SPEEDS OF 50 TO 70 MPH. I HAVE PURCHASED NEW WHEELS, RIMS, AND HAVE HAD MY TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED IN MAY, 2004, BUT I STILL HAVE ISSUES WITH THE TREMBLING. I'M TOLD THAT THE CAR IS SUPPOSED TO DRIVE THAT WAY. I'VE HAD A '93 PLYMOUTH COLT THAT DROVE BETTER. MY 3RD OCCURENCE IS NOW MY SUNROOF HAS WENT OUT AGAIN. I JUST SPENT $70.00 AT BIRMINGHAM CHRYSLER TO DIAGNOSIS THAT THE WIRE ARE BROKEN AND IT'LL COST MY AROUND $1,000 TO FIX IT. MY WARRANTY COVERS SUNROOFS FOR SWITCH PROBLEMS, BUT NOT WIRING. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO BE SPENDING ON REPAIRS WHEN I HAVE 3 MORE YEARS OF PAYING CAR NOTES. THE REASON I BOUGHT THIS PARTICULAR CAR WAS BECAUSE OF THE SUNROOF. I HAVE HAD 3 CHRYSLER CARS AND NO BREAK FROM REPAIR SHOPS. I NEED SUGGESTIONS. *AK THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10081193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,407 miles Titusville, FL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING/POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND HAD BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON BOTH SIDES REPLACED. *AK THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUE FOR THIS FAILURE (RECALL 99V-114). THE CONSUMER CONTACTED BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10081709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,035 miles Mantua, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

IN THE LAST 21/2 YEARS I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OIL LEAKS ALL PERTAINING TO A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AND NOW I HAVE A HESITATION WHEN I GO TO TAKE OFF. MY RPM GAUGE NEVER GOES BELOW 6. I HAVE DUMPED SEVERAL BOTTLES OF GAS TREATMENT IN THE CAR ON THE ADVICE OF A TECHNICIAN BUT THAT DOES NOT WORK. IT IS ALMOST LIKE A KINK IN A RUBBERBAND. WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS THGE RPM GAUGE GOES TO 8 AND STAYS THERE UNTIL YOU EASE UP ON THE GAS. THEN THE CAR SHOTTS FORWARD AND THE RPM GAUGE GOES TO 6. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER 1999 4-CYLINDER CARS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10079241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Delphos, OH

SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING THE LEFT FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED. *MR THE CONSUMER ENTERED A PARKING LOT AREA AT A LOW ACCEPTABLE SPEED WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE ENTIRE FRONT AXLE AND SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY FELL. THE AXLE DISENGAGED FROM THE DRIVE UNIT, THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY WAS AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE TO NORMAL POSITION. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10075820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,180 miles Fort Worth, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING HOME ON AN INTERSTATE FROM WORK WHEN THERE WAS A POP FROM BENEATH THE HOOD AND THE CAR BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC IN THE MORNING AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN AND WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $700 TO REPAIR. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IT WAS UNCOMMON FOR A HEAD GASKET TO FAIL AT 68,000 MILES AND THAT ALL THE ENGINE'S FLUIDS WOULD NEED TO BE CHANGED. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND HAVE NOTICED THAT NOW IT CONSUMES AROUND 1 QUART OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES(3,000 MI).

NHTSA complaint #10075296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,000 miles Charlton, MA

POWER TRAIN

SINCE OWNING THIS CAR I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM 0 TO 36,000 MILES MOST WERE MINOR AND WERE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE DEALER (ALTHOUGHI HAD TO TELL THEM WHAT WAS WRONG - THEY REPLACED THE WRONG PARTS THE FIRST TIME!). UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF THE PROBLEMS OCCURED AFTER 36,000 MILES WERE ON THE ODOMETER AND CHRYSLER HAS NOT BEEN TOO RESPONSIVE TO MY REQUESTS FOR ASSISTNACE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO FIX IT BUT WHO WANTS TO PAY $75.00 SO THAT A TECHNICIAN CAN LEARN TO FIX MY CAR. IN FRUSTRATION, I HAVE PURCHASED A SHOP MANUAL AND HAVE STARTED TO REPAIR THESE PROBLEMS MYSELF. MY SUN ROOF NEEDS A 10 CENT PLASTIC PART WHICH CHRYSLER DOES NOT STOCK SO IN ORDER TO GET IT I NEED A NEW $500 SUNROOF MECHANISM! NOW, MY TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY (IN ALL GEARS) AND I EITHER NEED TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION, REPLACE THE CLUTCH OR THE CLUTCH CABLE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATOIN ON MY SAGA PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME.

NHTSA complaint #10070371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,000 miles Charlton, MA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

SINCE OWNING THIS CAR I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM 0 TO 36,000 MILES MOST WERE MINOR AND WERE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE DEALER (ALTHOUGHI HAD TO TELL THEM WHAT WAS WRONG - THEY REPLACED THE WRONG PARTS THE FIRST TIME!). UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF THE PROBLEMS OCCURED AFTER 36,000 MILES WERE ON THE ODOMETER AND CHRYSLER HAS NOT BEEN TOO RESPONSIVE TO MY REQUESTS FOR ASSISTNACE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO FIX IT BUT WHO WANTS TO PAY $75.00 SO THAT A TECHNICIAN CAN LEARN TO FIX MY CAR. IN FRUSTRATION, I HAVE PURCHASED A SHOP MANUAL AND HAVE STARTED TO REPAIR THESE PROBLEMS MYSELF. MY SUN ROOF NEEDS A 10 CENT PLASTIC PART WHICH CHRYSLER DOES NOT STOCK SO IN ORDER TO GET IT I NEED A NEW $500 SUNROOF MECHANISM! NOW, MY TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY (IN ALL GEARS) AND I EITHER NEED TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION, REPLACE THE CLUTCH OR THE CLUTCH CABLE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATOIN ON MY SAGA PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME.

NHTSA complaint #10070371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,000 miles Charlton, MA

AIR BAGS

SINCE OWNING THIS CAR I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM 0 TO 36,000 MILES MOST WERE MINOR AND WERE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE DEALER (ALTHOUGHI HAD TO TELL THEM WHAT WAS WRONG - THEY REPLACED THE WRONG PARTS THE FIRST TIME!). UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF THE PROBLEMS OCCURED AFTER 36,000 MILES WERE ON THE ODOMETER AND CHRYSLER HAS NOT BEEN TOO RESPONSIVE TO MY REQUESTS FOR ASSISTNACE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO FIX IT BUT WHO WANTS TO PAY $75.00 SO THAT A TECHNICIAN CAN LEARN TO FIX MY CAR. IN FRUSTRATION, I HAVE PURCHASED A SHOP MANUAL AND HAVE STARTED TO REPAIR THESE PROBLEMS MYSELF. MY SUN ROOF NEEDS A 10 CENT PLASTIC PART WHICH CHRYSLER DOES NOT STOCK SO IN ORDER TO GET IT I NEED A NEW $500 SUNROOF MECHANISM! NOW, MY TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY (IN ALL GEARS) AND I EITHER NEED TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION, REPLACE THE CLUTCH OR THE CLUTCH CABLE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATOIN ON MY SAGA PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME.

NHTSA complaint #10070371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SINCE ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER GETTING MY 1999 DODGE NEON I STARTED HAVING DIFFICULITES WITH IT.RANGING FROM LIGHTS COMMING ON AND OFF INSIDE AND ROUGH IDLE.THENTHEN WHEN THE WIRING ISSUE WAS PRESENTED FOR LEFT TURN SIGNAL POPPING ON AND OFF AT WILL,AND THE WHOLE CAR JUST SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.STEERING WHELL LOCKING UP AND NO CONTROL OVER THE FUNCTIONS AT ALL THEN CAR WOULD NOT START.I KEPT TAKING IT IN AND ADDRESSING TO CRYSLER THAT THE MAIN ENGINE FUSE BY THE FIREWALL WAS BLOWING AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR THAT TO HAPPEN AND UPON INITIAL INSPECTION THEY FOUND THE WIRING HARNESS WARDED FROM THE HEAT OF THE FUSE BLOWING AND REPLACED FUSE AND SENT ME ON MY WAY FOR IT ONLY TO HAPPEN 3 MORE TIMES!AT THIS POINT THEY DOUBLE FUSED THE LINES AND NOW THE CHK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REGISTER MY CAR NOW WITH THAT LIGHT ON AND BECAUSE OF THAT IT FAILED SMOG!! NOW IAM STUCK WITH FINANCING ON A CAR THAT HAS TREMENDEOUS TROUBLE THAT EVERYONE CLAIMS DOESNT EXIST.PLEASE HELP!!!

NHTSA complaint #10070663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,000 miles Cleveland, OH Crash

SUSPENSION

I CAN NOT GIVE EXACT DATES BUT HAVE ALL SERVICE BILLS. I HAD THE HEAD GASKET CHANGED WHEN IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE AIR COMPRESSOR IS BAD AND NOW MY STRUTS ARE BAD ALL AT 44 THOUSAND MILES. ALL THE TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WERE REPLACED WAY BEFORE THE WARRANTY. I HAD MIDAS PUT MY NEW BRAKES ON SO I DON'T HAVE TO KEEP GOING BACK AND REPLACING THEM THROUGH SPIZTER DODGE. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I EVER HAD AND I HAD A YUGO THAT SAYS ALOT

NHTSA complaint #10070476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,000 miles Charlton, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

SINCE OWNING THIS CAR I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM 0 TO 36,000 MILES MOST WERE MINOR AND WERE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE DEALER (ALTHOUGHI HAD TO TELL THEM WHAT WAS WRONG - THEY REPLACED THE WRONG PARTS THE FIRST TIME!). UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF THE PROBLEMS OCCURED AFTER 36,000 MILES WERE ON THE ODOMETER AND CHRYSLER HAS NOT BEEN TOO RESPONSIVE TO MY REQUESTS FOR ASSISTNACE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO FIX IT BUT WHO WANTS TO PAY $75.00 SO THAT A TECHNICIAN CAN LEARN TO FIX MY CAR. IN FRUSTRATION, I HAVE PURCHASED A SHOP MANUAL AND HAVE STARTED TO REPAIR THESE PROBLEMS MYSELF. MY SUN ROOF NEEDS A 10 CENT PLASTIC PART WHICH CHRYSLER DOES NOT STOCK SO IN ORDER TO GET IT I NEED A NEW $500 SUNROOF MECHANISM! NOW, MY TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY (IN ALL GEARS) AND I EITHER NEED TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION, REPLACE THE CLUTCH OR THE CLUTCH CABLE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATOIN ON MY SAGA PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME.

NHTSA complaint #10070371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,000 miles Cleveland, OH Crash

TIRES

I CAN NOT GIVE EXACT DATES BUT HAVE ALL SERVICE BILLS. I HAD THE HEAD GASKET CHANGED WHEN IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE AIR COMPRESSOR IS BAD AND NOW MY STRUTS ARE BAD ALL AT 44 THOUSAND MILES. ALL THE TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WERE REPLACED WAY BEFORE THE WARRANTY. I HAD MIDAS PUT MY NEW BRAKES ON SO I DON'T HAVE TO KEEP GOING BACK AND REPLACING THEM THROUGH SPIZTER DODGE. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I EVER HAD AND I HAD A YUGO THAT SAYS ALOT

NHTSA complaint #10070476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,000 miles Charlton, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

SINCE OWNING THIS CAR I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM 0 TO 36,000 MILES MOST WERE MINOR AND WERE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE DEALER (ALTHOUGHI HAD TO TELL THEM WHAT WAS WRONG - THEY REPLACED THE WRONG PARTS THE FIRST TIME!). UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF THE PROBLEMS OCCURED AFTER 36,000 MILES WERE ON THE ODOMETER AND CHRYSLER HAS NOT BEEN TOO RESPONSIVE TO MY REQUESTS FOR ASSISTNACE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO FIX IT BUT WHO WANTS TO PAY $75.00 SO THAT A TECHNICIAN CAN LEARN TO FIX MY CAR. IN FRUSTRATION, I HAVE PURCHASED A SHOP MANUAL AND HAVE STARTED TO REPAIR THESE PROBLEMS MYSELF. MY SUN ROOF NEEDS A 10 CENT PLASTIC PART WHICH CHRYSLER DOES NOT STOCK SO IN ORDER TO GET IT I NEED A NEW $500 SUNROOF MECHANISM! NOW, MY TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY (IN ALL GEARS) AND I EITHER NEED TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION, REPLACE THE CLUTCH OR THE CLUTCH CABLE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATOIN ON MY SAGA PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME.

NHTSA complaint #10070371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.