Took vehicle in to repair shop after noticing an oil leak. They told me at first it was normal leaking from routine oil change. Then thanksgiving day 2001, at freeway speeds (75 MPH) the head gasket blew. Oil went every where. I had oil even in the coolant system. Took to my personal mechanic, he told me he has seen this many times before with neon's. Final price to fix problem 987.36, head gasket replaced coolant system flushed out, etc. Now I need a new radiator because of it. Seems to be common with this year of vehicle. My friend had a 1998 dodge neon that the head gasket was recalled in and she was able to get it fixed for free. Obviously for consumer satisfaction it would be in chryslers best interest to acknowledge, at the very least, that they have produced a less than satisfactory engine component in the 1997 neon. What I would like to see is that some of the money, if not all, is refunded back to us. Otherwise I am satisfied with my neon. It is out of commission right now due to needing a water pump. I purchased the vehicle december 20th, 1996 and have been the only owner.
1997 Dodge Neon engine complaints
Page 2 of 9: complaints 11 to 40 of 221, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The vehicle's head gasket failed although it only had 44000 miles on it. *nm *sc
The car started leaking oil x 2 months. Kept overheating after 20 minutes of running. Alle the radiator fluid leaked out. Had radiator fixed. Continued to overheat, told it was fan relay. Had that replaced. Now told that it was the gasket. That it had a leak and now needs to be replaced due to some thing about the aluminum.
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.
While driving 65 MPH head gasket and fuel pump failed without warning. As a result vehicle over eated. Dealer replaced the parts, and 2 1/2 years later ,the same parts failed again.
The consumer saw oil leaking from the vehicle. The dealership informed the consumer that the problem pertained to a head gasket failure. The mechanic did not resolve the problem. *ak on june 3rd 2002, the consumer had to have the transmission re-built. The main gear had a crack in the casting and started to loose teeth. The consumer noticed the casing of the transmission was wet. The heads of the engine were warped. The dealers in both case only changed the gasket and not checking to see if the head was warped. When the vehicle was cold in the morning, it wouldn't engage in reverse for up to 30 seconds, then clunks in hard and if driving when still cold, it seemed to shift in and out of gear. (and shifts hard from 2nd to 3rd and over revs in 2nd prior to shifting) *sc
1997 dodge neon, color lapuis blue, I am the original and only owner. Not only have I had a series of engine repairs between 40,000 to 80,000 miles, the same as I've read on dozen's of other consumer complaints, I now have the peeling lapuis blue paint which started slowly peeling a year ago. The paint now blows off the car as I drive. This car has cost the consumers thousands of dollars, and should have been recalled for all the defects in this car.
Transmission was rebuilt, main gear cracked, and head gasket problems. In addition, the consumer requested information on recalls and what justifies them. *ph the main gear experienced a crack in the casting and started to lost relating components. The consumer noticed that the casing of the transmission was wet. The consumer was told that the problem was the head gasket.
Engine head gasket oil leak.
For the second time the defective head gasket caused oil to leak. I had it replaced once and I feel it's too much to replace it again. I understand this is a common problem and I can't understand why dodge doesn't assist with fixing it right.
The vehicle consumer excessive amounts of oil due to a blown head gasket. The head gasket was replaced but the problem recurred 2 years later. The head gasket needs to be replaced again.
I own a 1997 dodge neon - a model (and apparently, the dodge brand itself) that has a reputation for blowing head gaskets at about 60,000 miles because of a poor composite material the gaskets were made out of. *ak just today, I found the tell-tale sign of fluid mixture (oil in my coolant lines) that indicates a head gasket failure. I called chrysler and explained my situation, and the customer service rep told me that based on my car's year and the mileage (approx 54800), there was nothing they could do. I've scoured the internet and found countless tales of "secret warranties" and "customer goodwill money." stories about chrysler paying for the entire cost of a replacement, $100 deductables, 50/50 split policies, and of course, down-right refusals and denials of the problem itself, which chrysler acknowledged in a service bulliten, located here: http://www.neons.org/neontsb/tsb/09/090598.htm they know about the problem, and have for many years, but continue to deny customers the appropriate compensation for a problem that is their fault. I'm going to call my local dodge dealers to see if I can get any different answers from them, but I doubt it. My complaint stands!
Head gasket failure
The biggest problem I have is the engine oil leaking. It is so costly to repair everytime. I never contacted the dodge company since I though that I gto a bad car.
I own a 1997 dodge neon. Purchased june 1997. This car too date has approximately 27,500 original miles on it. Starting in august 1999 I had to have the head gasket replaced on 3 occasions.I had to have the same repair job done again in july 2001 when I had only put another 7,108 on the car. May 2003 I had for the 3rd time the same repair jobe done when my car reached 26152 (7,166 miles added after 2nd repair job). Too date the manufacture has paid the repair bills with the exception of a $100 deductible I had to pay the last time they reapired it. I protested having to pay the $100 because I felt the manufactur should have paid the complete bill. They refused to refund my money. This car has on ongoing problem with the head gasket. My fear is the manufacture will refuse to pay the repair bill the next time this happens and I don't know what my legal rights are because I feel I have a lemon.it seems the problem comes up as soon as I put 7,000 miles on the car. I had only put 14,000 miles from the first time this repair job took lace to the 3rd repair job. I have tried to talk to chrysler about the secret warranty I found on the internet for this very problem and was informed by a customer service rep.that the secret warranties are illegal and they do not honor them. I have been told by several mechanics this is a well know ongoing problem with the neon's and chrysler is well aware of it. I woul appreciate if I can receive any advice regarding whether or not my car falls under the lemon law considering the age of the car.
First of all, my car has been leaking oil for quite a few months now ...I just kept putting a quart in every now and then. Well, when I went to get the car inspected at pep boys, they said that my head gasket was leaking. They recommended me getting an estimate and the work done at an authorized dodge dealer. I want to find out more information from your organization or from dodge on the head gasket problems that dodge neons have. I didn't know this until very recently. I have no repair date or cost yet. I was hoping to get information before I get an appointment/fixed. Can't this be a recall? If so many people have this problem with their neons why doesn't dodge fix them? I am paying a car loan on this and it needs fixed already...and it is a major fix.
Replaced 3 head gaskets in 1997 dodge neon. Fewer than 33,000 miles at replacement of third head gasket.
I had bought 2 new dodge neons, 1997 & 1998. First 1998 neon had engine gasket problem, daimlerchrysler fixed it &I paid $100.00 as I had extended warranty. Now 1997 neon with lower mileage has same engine gasket problem. Two cars same problem. Requested daimler-chrysler to fix the problem as this is manufacturing problem daimlerchrysler is refusing to fix it. Please make daimlerchrysler fix this for all neon owners this is similar to the jeep car problem after you all got after them they are fixing the jeep problem for the jeep customers without any charge. The engine gasket problem is an inherent problem with neon cars.
I just bought this 97 dodge neon with only 23,000 miles on it. The A/C has a leak in the coil , the transmission is slipping . The car is in great shape but those few things so far . The person who owned the car before me was an older gentleman who does not wreck his things. I was wondering are these problems, factory problems and/or recalls?
Consumer noticed oil on the driveway. Took vehicle in for service. Head gasket was leaking oil and needed to be replaced.
Independent shop replaced twice the front brake pads/rotors, and the caliper pin. Also, engine head gasket was leaking oil.
I purchased this vehicle 5-15-03 and noticed an oil leak the size of a 50 cent piece every time the vehicle was driven. When purchasing I asked if the head gasket problems had been taken care of on neon's, and was told it is not an issue anymore. I had an oil change today 7-18-03 and was told that I needed a new head gasket and it was an often done repair at a cost of $700.00! After researching on the internet and finding hundreds of complaints about head gasket failure on this particular model, I am more than slightly displeased that dodge, knowing of the problem, and even having a service bulletin out regarding this very problem is interested in taking care of it's owners, I will not be buy a dodge, chrysler, or plymouth ever again!
Speed control speedometer doesn't work most of the time. Replace the sencsor but still doesn't work. I will never buy a dodge again. I've also had to replace the brakes and rotor,catalytic converter. Now I'm having trouble with the paint. It's bubling and peeling off in layers all over car.
Vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs. Head gasket was warped. Please provide details.
The consumer has replaced 3 head gaskets since the vehicle was purchased. The last blown gasket caused irreparable damage to the engine.
Purchased car in october or 1996. Replaced head gasket in 1998 due to oil leaking in spark plugs. Then again in 2001. Now 2003 and oil in spark plugs again.
The vehicle overheated without warning.
Dodge neon 1997, I found out today the head gasket was cracked, I was told by 4 different mechanics, 2 were dodge mechanics, that they are always fixing the head gaskets and it was a design flaw, the gasket was too thin, I have changed the oil every 2500-3000 miles the car was never run hard and is very well maintained they need to issue a recall for this problem. Ts
My daughter just turned 16 and bought a used 1997 dodge neon with 60,000 miles. The dealer told her of what had been done and replaced. One of his selling points was a new head gasket had been installed. Well it's been just over the 3 month, 3000 miles and the head gasket blew, spilling oil all over the highway. I went to the web, and to my horror this has happened to alot of people. The roads are being made hazardous with slippery oil and people are getting ripped off by a badly designed engine. Chrysler should recall them. I know you are well aware of the problem and hope your agency can make chrysler recall this accident waiting to happen.
The vehicle overheated and made a loud noise when in reverse, also the engine light illuminated, the engine was replaced, however it continued to overheat and the engine light reappeared, the dealer then informed consumer a radiator and thermostat was needed, however the problem was still not resolved.
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