113 of the 4,954 complaints filed about the Dodge Neon are about the equipment — 2% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1995.
113
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
5
Crashes
4
Fires
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE AC UNIT LEAKS INTO THE ENVIRONMENT NEEDING TO BE FILLED YEARLY. WE PAID A DEALER TO REPAIR THE AC AND IT ALL LEAKED OUT AGAIN. THEY REFILLED ONCE AGAIN AND SAID TO BRING IT BACK EVERY YEAR TO HAVE IT REFILLED AGAIN. SO FAR IT HAS ALL LEAKED OUT 3 TIMES NOW.
NHTSA complaint #11329820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. GOING ABOUT 65 MILES AN HOUR.. I REAR ENDED SOMEONE ON THE FREEWAY. I HAD MY CRUISE CONTROL AT THE TIME.. WAS A CAR AND A HALF AWAY. THE CAR AHEAD OF ME STOPPED VERY SUDDENLY I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO REACT WHEN I HIT HIM HEAD ON. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10370975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR, USED, I NOTICED A DEFORMITY IN THE WINDSHIELD. OVER THE LAST YEAR IT HAS DOUBLED IN SIZE, AND NOW THERE IS ANOTHER ONE. THE FIRST ONE WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND WAS MORE OF AN NUISANCE, BUT THE SECOND ONE IS RIGHT IN MY LINE OF SITE WHEN DRIVING. IT CAUSES WHATEVER IS OUTSIDE TO BE BLURRED, AND CONTORTED. IT IS ALMOST LIKE LOOKING THROUGH A COKE BOTTLE, AND IS VERY DISTRACTING.
NHTSA complaint #10248714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
PEELING PAINT ON MY 1995 DODGE NEON. I AM ON MY THIRD TRANSMISSION, REPLACED AIR CONDITIONER BECAUSE OF SMOKE UNDER HOOD, BRAKES, ROTORS, FUEL LEAKING, VALVE COVER GASKET, HEAD GASKET, NO OIL IN ENGINE HAD IT TOWED. I ALSO IN THE TIME I OWN MY NEON I HAVE HAD ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS. AFTER REPLACING ALL THIS I ONLY HAD ONE RECALL SENT TO ME ON THE STEERING COUPLER. I HAD THAT FIXED AT THE DEALER. BUT, I HAVEN'T HAD ANY OTHER RECALLS SENT TO ME. 2 TRANSMISSIONS AND ALOT OF MONEY SPENT ON A LEMON.
NHTSA complaint #10231525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
I BOUGHT A USED CAR FROM JD BYRIDER OF READING PA ,I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS SAFETY INSPECTED AND THE STICKERS ARE ON VEHICLE, COME TO FIND OUT FROM MY OWN MECHANIC THE CAR WAS NOT SAFETY INSPECTED PROPER BECAUSE THERE WAS ALOT OF THINGS FOUND DEFECTIVE ON IT LIKE ROTORS WERE WARPED BRAKE PAD FELL APART DRUMS NO GOOD BROKEN BOLTS TO OIL PAN AND REAR MAIN SEAL BROKE CAR VIBRATES WHEN AT A RIGHT LIGHT AND WHO EVER DID THE INSPECTION DIDN'T DO IT THE WAY HE WAS SUPPOSED TO WHICH I THINK WOULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10230209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE NEON. THE RADIATOR CLAMP FELL OFF AND CAUSED ALL OF THE RADIATOR FLUID TO LEAK OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. AT 9,000 MILES, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. BOTH REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED UNDER WARRANTY. AT 15,000 MILES, THE TIRES CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE WHEN THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AT 18,000 MILES, THE BRACKETS UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED AND THE SEAT COULD NOT BE MOVED BACKWARDS OR FORWARDS. THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED UNDER WARRANTY. ALSO AT 18,000 MILES, THE DEALER HAD TO ADJUST THE REAR BRAKES BECAUSE THEY WERE SQUEALING AND PULSATING. THE SQUEALING AND PULSATING OCCURRED ALL THE TIME, BUT ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNINGS. THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE ADJUSTMENT. THE CD PLAYER FAILED AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. CURRENTLY, THE REAR BRAKES ARE STILL SQUEALING AND PULSATING, AND THE MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE FAILED. THE MOTOR MAKES A POPPING SOUND DURING ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE MOTOR WILL SINK INTO THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY THING SUPPORTING THE MOTOR IS THE EXHAUST. THE MOTOR IS ALMOST TOUCHING THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IS CLOSED. HE HAS SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE MOTOR MOUNTS TO BE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,764 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.
NHTSA complaint #10223350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
UPON PURCHASING MY CAR, BRAND NEW IN 2004, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH IT. AFTER A SHORT YEAR OF HAVING MY CAR MY POWER WINDOWS WENT OUT, SHORTLY AFTER MY FRONT DOOR SPEAKERS STOPPED WORKING AND MY RADIO/CD PLAYER OFTEN DOESN'T WORK CORRECTLY...CD DISCS WILL GET STUCK IN PLAYER AND CONTINUALLY PLAY UNTIL CAR IS SHUT OFF AND SOMETIMES THAT DOESN'T EVEN RESOLVE PROBLEM. FRONT BRAKES STARTED TO SQUEAK AND GROAN CONSTANTLY, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES TO HAVE THEM TRY TO FIX BRAKES. WHILE HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR STARTED TO CHUG AND JERK FREQUENTLY. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP, DIAGNOSTIC SHOWED #4 CYLINDER MISFIRE, HAD PLUGS AND WIRES REPLACED, HOWEVER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AFTER DRIVING CAR <10 MILES. TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES TO FIX, ON THE FOURTH OCCASION THEY FINALLY FOUND A BROKEN RING LEADING TO THE MOTOR, PROBLEM IS STILL UNRESOLVED. I THEN CALLED WARRANTY PEOPLE TO DISCOVER THAT MY RING IS COVERED UNDER MY POWER-TRAIN WARRANTY AFTER HAVING BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THE RING COULDN'T BE FIXED. WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE WIRING WAS FAULTY IN THE RADIO PLAYER AND NOT THE SPEAKERS.
NHTSA complaint #10182021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
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.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
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.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
DT: ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2005 THE RADIO CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONTACTED DODGE, THEY SENT AN INVESTIGATOR , AND CONSUMER WAS STILL WAITING FOR A DISPOSITION FROM THEM. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THAT THE AMP HAD OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. NOTHING WAS IN CONTACT WITH IT. THERE WAS NO MODIFICATIONS MADE TO IT, AND THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10138358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED THREE TIMES IN THIS CAR. EACH TIME I HAVE ASKED FOR AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY A YEAR OLD BATTERY WOULD GO BAD. THE EXPLANATION LAST WEEK WAS "A SHORT IN THE BATTERY, NOT CAUSED BY THE CAR." SINCE THE FIRST 2 TIMES IT WAS REPLACED BY THE WARRANTY, I CAN'T UNDERSTAND THIS ISSUE. THIS TIME THE BATTERY WAS NOT COVERED. EACH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, IT HAS BEEN WITHOUT WARNING, NO LIGHTS FLASHING, NOTHING. JUST GO TO START THE CAR AND NOTHING. I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED EACH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. CLEARLY, EITHER THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE BATTERIES BEING INSTALLED, OR THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH MY CAR. EITHER WAY, IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE COMPANY. AS IT IS, I HAD TO SHELL OUT $150 LAST WEEK.
NHTSA complaint #10137642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
I HAVE A NEW 2003 DODGE NEON THAT HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED AND SO FAR THE SHIFTER BOOT HAS TORN(WAS REPLACED) BUT IS NOW CRACKING AGAIN (IT'S [XXX] COLD WHERE I LIVE, -50 TO -60 HAPPENS). I HAD AN OIL LEAK THAT WAS BLAMED ON ME BY ANCHORAGE CHRYSLER, I REPORTED THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKES ALWAYS SQEAL WHEN APPLIED (I WAS TOLD THATS DUST) BUT IT'S HAPPENES EVERY DAY. I NEEDED AN WHEEL ALIGNMENT (CAR PUULS TO THE LEFT) AND I'M TOLD YOU CANT ALIGN A NEON. YOU CAN PART OF THE ALIGNMENT BUT WERE SORRY [XXX] IT WILL ALWAYS PULL TO THE LEFT BECAUSE IT IS NOT ADJUSTABLE.THE ALIGNMENT CAME FROM LITHIA IN ANCHORAGE ALASKA (THEY ARE GREAT PEOPLE) I DONT BLAME THEM 1 BIT THEY DIDNT MAKE A CAR THAT CANT BE FIXED(DODGE DID). ANCHORAGE CHRYSLER WAS MY BEST FRIEND UNTIL I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR REPAIRS THEN THEY ACTUALLY TOLD ME THE REASON I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH IT IS BECAUSE IT'S A CHEAP NO GOOD CAR. I SENT AN E-MAIL TO DODGE ASKING WHY THEY WOULD BUILD SUCH A VEHICLE THAT COULD NEVER BE ALIGNED AND THEY SAID WE TRY TO MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY. NOT ONCE GETTING TO THE QUESTION "WHY" WHAT WAS THE REASONING BEHIND SUCH A STUPID IDEA. I LOVE MY CAR BUT BECAUSE OF THIS 1 FLAW I CANT WAIT TO GET RID OF IT. I'M CHECKING INTO A MINI, NEED TO MAKE SURE IT CAN BE FIXED IF NEEDED FIRST. THE CAR STILL PULLS TO THE LEFT(RATHER HARD AT TIMES), THE SHIFTER BOOT IS STILL SPLITTING, THE BRAKES STILL SQUEEK. AND NOW I'M WONDERING IF THE FUEL GAUGE IS CORRECT. ANYBODY WANT TO BUY A NICE "LOOKING" NEON WITH LOW MILES. I DONT REMEMBER THE ACTUALL INCIDENT DATES. THIS IS AN ONGOING THING INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10121804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
BACK IN 2003 I TURNED MY VEHICLE OFF AND IT WOULDNT START AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD SO I CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE THEY TOOK IT TO CARMAX IN LOS ANGELES, CA FOR AT THE TIME I WAS LIVING IN THE AREA. CARMAX TOLD ME THE BATTERY WAS DISLODGED I FOUND THIS FUNNY BECUASE I HAVE NEVER TOUCHED THE BATTERY THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD. WHEN I HAD TURNED THE KEY ALL THE LIGHTS WENT CRAZY AND IT WOULDNT START. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE BATTERY HAD DRAINED ITSELF. WELL THEY CHANGED THE BATTERY AND EVERYTHING WAS OK UNTIL NOW. ABOUT 1 YEAR AND HALF LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE SEATBELT LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT AND THE SPEDOMETER STARTED TO BLINK. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. I GOT A JUMP TO GET HOME AND IT BLINKED THE WHOLE WAY THERE. I THEN TURNED THE CAR OFF WHEN I GOT HOME. WHEN I WENT TO THE CAR IN THE MORNING TO GO TO WORK THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. I CALED AAA AND THEY GAVE ME A JUMP AND I WENT TO THE AUTO PLACE AND GOT A BATTERY IT HAS BEEN A FEW HOURS AND ITS OK RIGHT NOW BUT FOR HOW LONG. THEN I READ ABOUT THIS PERSON HERE THAT WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS I DID AND SHE NEEDED TO HAVE HER CAR ALL REWIRED. I AM TAKING TO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SUGGEST THAT ANYONE ELSE DO THE SAME.
NHTSA complaint #10119920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
OIL LEAKAGE, HEAD GASKET REPLACED 2X IN 1997, AGAIN HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN, CAM AND TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE ALSO. CAR HAS ALWAYS LEAKED A BIT OF OIL DAILY; HOWEVER, OIL CHANGES EVERY 2000 MILES COUPLED WITH WEEKLY LEVEL CHECKS MAINTAINED ABILITY TO DRIVE VEHICLE. AS OF 2/05, OIL LEAKING PROFUSELY VIA PASSENGER PORTION OF ENGINE GASKET. MECHANIC CONFIRMS BLOWN HEAD GASKET, SAYS THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT OF THE NEONS AS A WHOLE. I HAVE CHOSEN TO NOT REPAIR HEAD GASKET AT MY EXPENSE AT THIS TIME. I PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW IN OCT. 1996, AS A NEW YEAR NEON FOR 1997. I MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE METICIOUSLY, AND BOTH THE BODY AND INTERIOR ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION (BODY HAS NO RUST). CAR HAS 88,000 MILES CURRENTLY. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN DODGE'S LACK OF CONCERN AND RESPONSIBILITY IN PRODUCING A QUALITY CAR. I BOUGHT THIS NEW AND HAD HOPE TO TRANSFER IT TO MY DAUGHTER WHO WILL BE LEAVING FOR COLLEGE SOON. REPLACING A HEADGASKET TWICE SHOULD ASSURE ME, THE BUYER, THAT I CAN MAINTAIN MY CAR WITHOUT SUDDENLY FINDING OUT THIS WAS A DAMAGED VEHICLE FROM THE GET GO, AND NOW I HAVE TO FIND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION TO WORK WHILE I SET TIME ASIDE TO QUICKLY FIND ANOTHER CAR. SHAME ON DODGE!
NHTSA complaint #10112556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, THERE IS A BURNING SMELL WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON AT NIGHT. THE SMELL COMES FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER TURNING ON THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR THE ELECTRICAL DEFECTS BEGAN TO SURFACE. WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON, IT DRAINS POWER FROM THE VEHICLE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #10105079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
2000 DODGE NEON-I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 5 YEARS AND USE IT SOLELY FOR COMMUTING TO AND FROM WORK. I AM A CAREFUL DRIVER AND DO NOT ABUSE THIS VEHICLE. *AK DURING THESE 5 YRS I HAVE HAD THE FOLLOWING WORK ON THIS CAR; REPLACED THE BRAKES TWICE WITHIN THE FIRST 2 YRS REPLACED THE BATTERY 3 TIMES OVER 5 YEARS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 70K REPLACED THE RADIATOR AT 70K THE CAR PERFORMS VERY POORLY IN ICE AND SNOW. I HAVE SPUN OUT ON SEVERAL MAJOR HIGHWAYS MERELY DOING LESS THAN 10 MPH IN SNOW/SLUSH. I WAS TOLD MY MECHANIC THAT IT IS THE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION AND POOR DESIGN OF MY VEHICLE THAT THIS HAPPENS. MY TIRES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED/REPLACED WHEN TREAD WAS GETTING LOW. I RECENTLY PAID $400 FOR A SET OF NEW MICHELIN HARMONY TIRES HOPING THAT THE UPCOMING SNOW AND ICE SEASON MAY NOT KILL ME. CAR HAD A MUSTY/FISHY ODOR WHEN I USED THE HEATER DURING THE FIRST 2 YEARS. THIS HAS SINCE GONE. MY TRANSMISSION DIED DURING A THUNDERSTORM ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK. IT GAVE NO WARNING, ALL FLUIDS HAD JUST BEEN CHECKED THE WEEKEND BEFORE WHEN MY OIL WAS CHANGED. THIS INCIDENT RESULTED IN OVER $1900 WORTH OF REPAIR CHARGES. I HAD JUST BOUGHT OUT MY LEASE THAT VERY WEEK. THE $1900 I PAID WAS MY ENTIRE SAVINGS. THE FOLLOWING REPAIR WORK OUTSTANDS; CDPLAYER IS DEAD. IT CHEWED UP MY CDS. (1 YEAR) MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCK BUZZES WHEN I LOCK IT. IT APPARENTLY NEEDS A NEW DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY AND ACTUATOR. (2ND YEAR) THE TRUNK LATCH DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY OPEN. IT TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO LOCK. (1ST YEAR).
NHTSA complaint #10100566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DOME LIGHT AND THE POWER DOOR LOCKS LOCKED OFF AND ON INADVERTENTLY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 3 OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A FULL REFUND OF THE DOWN PAYMENT AND SALES TAX. *SC THE RADIO WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10101365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
RADIO QUIT, LIGHTS WILL STILL COME ON BUT WILL NOT PLAY.
NHTSA complaint #10098057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
CONSUMER HAD THE AIR CONDITIONER REPAIRED FOR BLOWING HOT AIR SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. TWO YEARS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HALF PRICE TO THE OWNER. VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY THE CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #10081971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES ON THE 2002 DODGE NEON SEEM TO HAVE MANY PROBLEMS AND I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. THE FRONT BRAKES (PADS AND ROTORS) HAD TO BE REPLACED AT AROUND 7000 MILES DUE TO WARPED ROTORS CAUSING SEVERE SHAKING OF THE VEHICLE DURING BRAKING. NOW AGAIN AT 17000 MILES THE VEHICLE EXIBITS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKES HAVE HAD A SEVERE SQUEAL SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED - IT WAS IN THREE SEPERATE TIMES FOR THIS. WE WERE TOLD THIS IS A NORMAL PROBLEM THAT ALL NEONS HAVE. THE FIRST TWO TIMES IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THEY CLEANED THE BREAKS AND SAID THEY WERE FINE. THE THIRD TIME WE WERE TOLD THE REAR SHOES WERE NO GOOD AND THE REAR DRUMS WERE RUINED AND NEEDED REPLACED. (AT 16500 OR SO MILES) I CALLED THE DODGE CORPORATION AND AFTER MANY CALLS THEY OFFERED THE PARTS ON THE REAR FREE BUT WE HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW AND I FEEL THE BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDS IMPROVED TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPINING. THE VHEICLE IS A 2002 DODGE NEON SXT DRIVEN VERY LITTLE BY MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, A VERY EASY PERSON ON THE CAR SO THERE IS NO EXCESSIVE DRIVING BY ANY MEANS THAT WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PROBLEM. REAR DRUMS SHOULD ALMOST NEVER NEED REPLACED, THEY SEEM TO LAST FOREVER ON MOST VEHICLES AND ROTORS DO WARP SOMETIMES BUT NOT TWO SETS IN 17000 MILES. I HAVE SEEN MANY NEONS EXIBIT THE REAR SQUEALING PROBLEM ON THE ROADS SO I KNOW THIS IS NOT JUST THIS CAR AND I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO LOOK INTO THIS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. BEN HODGES.
NHTSA complaint #10072996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.