Had noticed a large puddle of oil on garage floor. Took to mechanic and had it checked. Was informed that seals were not involved, but head gaskets were causing leakage.
1995 Dodge Neon engine complaints
Page 4 of 11: complaints 71 to 100 of 292, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Vehicle experienced overheating and loss of coolant while driving. Taken to an independent repair shop, and informed consumer of a head gasket failure. Manufacturer notified, and informed that it was not covered under a recall. *ak
I bought veh in dec of 1998 have made $2000.00 worth of engine repairs since 02/01/00 which consisted of replacing entire engine now a year later my veh is leaking oil again from the rear main seal which will be another $400.00 dollars to repair and I still owe 4000.00 on the vehicle with the amount of complaints on the engines on these cars you would think something would be done I cant keep replacing engines every year. Dodge has really screwed thousands of people on this vehicle.
Head gasket failure, possible engine problems, manufacturer has denied assistance for the repairs.
Engine gauge went into the red, consumer turned off car to cool. Two days later, mechanic said it was a butsted head gasket.*ak consumer stated engine damage from overheating included piston rings and crankshaft bearings.
Brakes are continually experiencing excessive wear, consumer has replaced the brakes on several occasions since ownership, last repair on 3/17/01.
I just had the clutch repaired, and was told by mechanic that my head gasket is causing serious oil leak and needs to be repaired, I was told the dealership should repair this since it is a known problem with neons, mechanic stated he notice this problem with neons he has repaired.
2 weeks prior to reported incident vehicle had a coolant leak. Garage found that the coolant resevoir had split and replaced it. On the 9th march my wife drove the car and dropped a college of to pick up his car at a garage. When she restarted the vehicle and proceeded to drive it she noticed that the engine did not sound right. Shortly after the car started to wobble, the engine check light came on and the temperture gauge started to climb higher. She arrived home, I rang the garage, told them of the symptoms and was told to bring the car in. On starting it up I noticed a lot of blue grey smoke come out of the exhaust. The vehicle drove with no problems to the garage. Subsequent inspection of the engine showed a coolant leak, when the head gasket was taken off there were 2 cracks on the engine block. The estimated cost of a temporary repair is $1000, but there is no guarantee how long the repair would last. The only other option was a new engine which is out of the question. I cannot understand how this problem could occur with only 76k on the clock. The vehicle was purchased used with 45k on the clock in september 1997. Since then it has been serviced according to the manufacturers instruction, with an oil and filter change every 3 months.
Dealer now refuses to replace; claims it is different part leaking. Separate repair shops state it is head gasket again.
Oil is leaking from head gasket which could damage engine.
Head gasket failures are common with neons. I have aske chrisyler to settle my complaint and they don't care.
Head gasket is defective in all 1995-1999 dodge neons, in 2000 models,dodge corp used a different manufacturer and the new head gaskets have a safety cover to prevent burning.I have reported this to chrysler corp(my file #[xxx])and they refuse to admit to the defect and only will grant $100.00 to provide assistance to a $820.00 repair.VIN#[xxx], please help!!*ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Head gasket failed at 85,800 and has now failed again.
While driving, consumer heard strange noise and then vehicle died, mechanic stated cylinder head broke, causing timing belt to break, water pump to lock up, and other parts to fail, consumer states this is a manufacturers defect and questions why there is no recall, consumer is also requesting reimbursement.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Rred at approx. 90000 miles. Have had brake system replaced approx. Every 30000 miles.
Driver experienced no heat, and then problem became worse. Dealer said it was head gasket.
Engine head gasket failed 12/9/00. It was determined that it was a salvaged engine. A replacement engine, also salvaged, was sent to mechanic by great lakes warranty company. On 1/18/01, the head gasket failed once again, only 4 weeks since the last repair for the same problem. The great lakes warranty expires 1/26/01. It is unknown why the original engine was replaced.
Vehicle experienced overheating and shut off. Vehicle taken to dealer, and informed of a head gasket failure. Manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was out of its warranty, and not covered under a recall. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
While trraveling at speed of 70 MPH noticed vehicle smoking. Dealer stated head gasket was leaking oil. Please provide further information.
09/13/2000-head gasket, timing belt, water pump all failed. 8/1/2000-fuel gauge stopped working.
A bent valve caused misfiring in cylinder #4.
Vehicle has experienced a leaking head gasket on two occasions, the dealer stated that they now use a metal gasket because of all the failures.
Many persistent problems with car. Especially with head gaskets and brakes. Have heard from many other neon owners of head gasket problems. Have had breaks replaced at least every year of ownership and sometimes twice in a couple of years. Breaks sqeak and moan regardless.
This problem with the head gasket appears to be widespread in the neons. Although dc has not admitted to a faulty part they have sent out several technicial bulletins on how to install a new gasket and have paid for the repairs in cars under 50000 miles. On my car the head was so pitted that dealer could not replace the gasket and expect it to seal properly. I do not think this is the fault of the dealer but a manufatures defect in the head itself which lead to the gasket leaking. Although my dealership offered to pick up the cost of the head on a goodwill warrenty I believe the entire cost should be picked by dc since they are aware of this defect. As it stands now, after calling dc customer services they have not made a final decission on what amount to pick up for the repairs. I have diligently maintained my car since purchasing it and do not feel they are justified in asking me to pick up any of the cost on something clearly the fault of the material and the manufacturer.
Vehicle experiencing overheating while driving. Vehicle taken to independent repairshop, and informed consumer that a head gasket failed. Dealer notified, and informed that vehicle was out of its warranty, and not responsible for repairs. *ak
Head gasket leaked. Then had to replace clutch because it failed after oil leaked on it. Spent tons of money and it's now my understanding that dodge was aware of this problem. With such as severe oil hemmorhage, I'm lucky my car is still operating. I'm a student and can't afford these problems. No one can. And we shouldn't have to pay for something that could have been recalled. I'm irate.
Gasket failures (head and transaxle) diagnosed by ultraviolet dye test. Brake deficieny discovered in high speed commuter traffic with near collision. The frequency of the same complaints from many owners suggests that a large recall action is in order before many serious accidents result.
Upon verifying that it was the head gasket, was informed of other such problems from other dodge neon owners. I believe that this should be looked into. What other problems could exist. Do we need deaths to occure as with the tires?
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