59 of the
152 complaints about the 1999 Dodge Neon are about the
engine — 39% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
56,017 miles.
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 milesWatertown, 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.
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 54,035 milesMantua, 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.
at 68,180 milesFort 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 milesCharlton, 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.
at 61,000 milesCharlton, 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 milesCleveland, OHCrash
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 24,000 milesLAS Vegas, NV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 90,000 milesHighsprings, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HAD CAR REPAIRED FOR A CRACKED HEAD GASKET AND CRACKED RADIATOR. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP WASN'T THERE A RECALL ON CRACKED GASKETS I WAS TOLD FOR THE 98 DODGE NEON. GOT NEW BRAKE PADS. THEY SQUEAL LOUD AND IT TAKES A LOT FOR CAR TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. HAD TO GET A NEW THERMOSTAT ON MY CAR BECAUSE IT KEPT RUNNING HOT. IF THEY REPLACED MY RADIATOR IN JAN 2003 WHY IS MY THERMOSTAT OUT. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL INDUCTOR REPLACED ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER THINGS.
NHTSA complaint #10071031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Otis Orchards, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MAJOR OIL LEAK. HAD TO REPLACE VAVLE COVER AND MAIN SEAL.
NHTSA complaint #10060466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON MY 1999 DOGE NEON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND MY CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC AT A STOP LIGHT I WAS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE AGAIN AND TOOK THE CAR TO TUFFY AUTO CENTER WHERE HE DIAG THE CAR AND REPORTED TO ME IT WAS THE CAM SENSOR AND THAT HE WOULD ORDER ANOTHER ONE, THE SENSOR ARRIVED AND HE ATTEMPTED TO IN THIS ONE AND COULDN'T BECAUSE THE CAM SENSOR HE HAD WAS FLUSH AND THE ONE HE REMOVED WAS RECESSED. HE CALLED AROUND TO FIND THIS RECESSED CAM SENSOR AND COULD NOT LOCATE ONE , BUT DID FIND OUT THAT THE COMMON PROBLEM IS THAT THE CAM ITSELF BACK OUT OF THE ENGINE AND DAMAGES THE SENSOR CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL AND NEEDS TO BE BACKED DOWN INTO THE ENGINE AND WILL IN 40K OR LESS MILES DO IT AGAIN THIS IS AN ENGINE DEFECT THAT IS COSTLY AND ME $150 TO REPAIR. THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT FOR REEMBURSTMENT AND RECALL FOR REPAIR THIS IS STATED AS COMMON AMONG MECHANICS, WHAT CAN BE DONE???
NHTSA complaint #10054636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Petersburg, FL5 killed
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I PURCHASED THIS DODGE NEON VEHICLE FROM DODGE DEALER ST. MTN GA IN AUG 1999-WHO TRANSOUTH MORTGAGE CORP WAS THE 2ND LENDER 6533 FLYING CLOUD DR EDEN PRAIRIE MN 55344 AND BOUGHT THE ACCOUNT BEFORE I COULD MAKE MY FIRST PAYMENT. PLUS DODGE LIED ON THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT AND SAID I PAID DOWN SO MUCH MONEY WHEN I DIDNT AND I HAD ONLY A TRADE IN A, FORD ESORT. I TOOK THE CAR TO MECHANICS WHO SAID THE ENGINE IS NO GOOD, LIKE THE CAR HAD SAT IN A CANEL. I ASK THEM TO COME GET THE CAR AND THEY REFUSED. THEY TOLD ME THE BANK WILL CONTACT ME TO APPROVE THE LOAN WE NEVER SPOKE. WE KEPT MISSING EACH OTHER CALL. THEN WHEN I MOVED TO FL 2001 THEY WANTED TO PICK UP THE CAR THEN WHICH THEY DID BY 3/02. IN TURN THEY SOLD THE CAR FOR WHAT I DONT KNOW. THE DEFICIENCY IS 11,703.42 AFTER I PAID 360 PER MTH OVER 9K. AND NOW THEY SENT IT TO COLLECTIONS AGENCY WHICH I SENT DISPUTE LETTERS.
NHTSA complaint #10054507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,660 milesEaston, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE'S HEAD GASKET FAILED AND CAUSED OIL TO LEAK. THE CONSUMER HAD TO REFILL THE VEHICLE WITH OIL OFTEN. THE DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
NHTSA complaint #10052137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,000 milesHavre, MT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET FAILED. CHECKED REPAIR COSTS AT 7 DIFFERENT MECHANICS, INCLUDING DODGE DEALER ($650-$1000); ALL SEEMED VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. MANY DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO LOOK UP THE PRICE TO REPAIR, THEY KNEW IT OFF HAND. 4 DIFFERENT FAMILY/FRIENDS ALSO HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM. WAS TOLD BY DEALER TO WATCH FOR OIL LEAKING INTO COOLANT, AS THIS IS ANOTHER COMMON PROBLEM, WITH MORE DIRE CONSEQUENCES. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL ISSUE?
NHTSA complaint #10047014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,682 milesDewey, OK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
NOTICED OIL IN RADIATOR FLUID. TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKETS WERE CRACKED. REPAIRED AT A COST OF $1500. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY OF THE COST. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 53,000 MILES ON IT. I NEED ANY INFO ON HOW TO RECOUP MY MONEY FROM THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #10043758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,000 milesMadison, AL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET: TOOK THE 1999 DODGE NEON TO A MECHANIC AFTER EXPRESS OIL NOTICED AN OIL LEAK. I ALWAYS HAVE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I HAD A WARPED HEAD GASKET AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 60,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS AND WONDER WHY DODGE WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL? MY BILL ENDED UP BEING $2000 BECAUSE THEY ALSO NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT WHICH SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE REPLACED UNTIL AFTER 90K MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10041104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesNorwood, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
EXCESSIVE OIL LEAK FROM ENGINE. MAY BE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET OR OTHER GASKETS. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 30,000 MILES ON IT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ON RECALLS OR MANUFACTURERS SERVICE BULLETINS.
NHTSA complaint #10018381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 milesMorgantown, WV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FLUID LEAKED UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS ONLY 46000 MILES ON THE CAR AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. *JB *CB *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10017891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,125 milesGlendale, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE.HEADGASKET FAILURE MODERATE TO SEVERE OIL LEAKAGE
NHTSA complaint #10016782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesMuncie, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL LEAK FROM THE HEAD GASKET OF MY DODGE NEON 1999. I KNOW THIS IS NOT THE ONLY NEON WITH THIS FACTORY PROBLEM; MY FAMILY MEMBERS OWN 3 NEONS ALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10014158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesAurora, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS BAD ON MY CAR THAT HAS HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES AND THESE ARE HIGHWAY MILES.TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NEONS
NHTSA complaint #10002890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN OIL LEAK DUE TO THE OIL SEAL HAVING A CRACK IN IT.*JB
NHTSA complaint #10003678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norfolk, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT THEN SMOKE. DEALER DETERMINED HEADGASKET HAD BLOWN.
NHTSA complaint #8014428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taylorsville, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT, CAUSING ENGINE TO LEAK. HAD PART REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALER CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #8012816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mission, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING OIL IS LEAKING FROM VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #8009760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairmont, WV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WE ARE UPSET BECAUSE THE HEAD GASKET SHOULD NOT BE A REGULAR PROBLEM. WE WERE TOLD THAT ALL THE GARAGES DO ALL DAY LONG IS REPLACE HEAD GASKETS. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW BUYS CARS AT AUCTIONS AND HE TOLD US THAT DEALER WILL NOT EVEN BUY NEONS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOTED FOR THE HEAD GASKET GOING OUT. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT THERE MAY BE A RECALL ON THIS. I AM WANTING INFO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH YOUR VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #761572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Depue, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
INTERMITTENT ENGINE DIES AND WILL NOT RESTART UNTIL CAR SETS AND COOLS DOWN FOR A WHILE, DIAGNOSE FUEL PUMP TO BE THE CAUSE OF ENGINE STALLING. ON ANOTHER OCCASSION CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, HAS BEEN LOOKED AT SEVERAL TIMES AND TOLD IT HAS A TSB OPEN, TEST DROVE AND INSTALLED DRB. #4 CYLINDER MISFIRE. ERASE DTC AND RETEST, NO MISFIRE PRESENT. REPROGRAM PCM PER TSB 18-46-98 TEST DROVE OK. DEFECTIVE RADIATOR (REPAIR),
NHTSA complaint #9003222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laurel, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #759765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Central Point, OR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8005929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.