2003 Dodge Neon engine problems

Filed Apr 25, 2013 · Engine, Visibility · 110,000 miles · IL

Upon warming the car before driving to work windows steamed up badly I thought it was because of cold temp outside. This happened throughout the winter. Always having a sweet taste in my mouth took the car back to the dealer where I bought it there said the heater core was leaking would have to replace it. I called the local parts store and got a price on it 60.00 dollars I thought this price was ok .the parts house said good luck I asked why he was smiling when he said that .he said that was an 800.00 dollar job by the dealer. He was so right!! The sob who designed that should been made to change it in every car that the core wet bad in I have owned 96 1500 97 1500 99 1500 and now 2003 every one heater core leaks .went on line to see how many people had this problem hundreds. People are breathing antifreeze vapor. Help!!!!

Filed Jul 27, 2011 · Engine · 85,000 miles · PA

Engine blowing due to rings deteriorating before reaching 100,000 miles. Compression low, car shakes, close to stalling out. Harder to start. Only way to fix is by replacing engine. Have seen thousands of references to this on many dodge forums and other sites. Does not just include the 03 neon sxt, also se, srt, intrepid, and one of the chrysler models.

Filed Nov 10, 2010 · Engine · 98,800 miles · WI

No prior incidents. Driving along, transmission slips. I let off gas, seems to re-engage, press on gas again, slips again. Pulled over after about 200 yds, tried reverse - no movement. Trail of transmission fluid behind me, puddle of transmission fluid on the ground. Take to shop - told radiator is ruined, and coolant had circulated through the transmission. Mechanic hasn't seen this before, yet is obviously a common complaint here on the federal safety agency. Lines running through radiator to cool trans. Fluid are plastic - doomed for failure. I see a pattern here, anyone else?

Filed Nov 24, 2009 · Engine · 150,000 miles · NE

No previous incidents with transmission or radiator, fluids both fine last time car driven, driving on highway, approximately four miles from home, engine began to rev, appeared to have trouble with automatic transmission between gears, check engine light came on, checked at location, radiator empty, transmission fluid low, checked 30 min later, transmission fluid empty, refilled transmission fluid and leaked from radiator- radiator rupture, unsure if damage to transmission from radiator rupture at this time.

Filed Mar 28, 2008 · Engine, Transmission · 55,000 miles · NJ

I am the 2nd hand owner of this vehicle. I have been in possession of it for about a year and 1/2 have meticulously maintained it and it has 55,000 mile on it. Recently the transmission became rather jumpy and it was to go into service but the day before I was to schedule an appointment it was more jumpy than usual and I smelt trans. Fluid through my air vents. Checked trans. Fluid and found nothing on the stick, shut if off, looked under the car and there was a puddle of pink fluid under on the ground. Looked at the little bit of fluid that was the trans stick and it was the same color. Looked in the coolant, same fluid as on the stick and the ground. My radiator had given out mixing my coolant with trans. Fluid. This left me to pay $974 out of pocket because chrysler would not help pay for this common problem. Car is under a 7/70k power train warranty. Radiator is not covered.

Filed Jan 19, 2008 · Engine · CA

Car had a problem with a fuel sensor, we had it replaced. Couple of weeks later a fuel cam went out. We had it replaced. We took the car home and next morning it had oil all over the place. Towed it to the shop and they said they didn't work on that side of the car. They stated I had a major head casket problem. It started out at $800, then they kept finding more problems with the head. The grommets needed replaced and a lot more parts. Finally they stated they had to replace the whole head. It started at $800 then went to $1100 then $1800 then $2100. By the time they where done it was up to $2,600. They gave me a technical bulletin stating that chrysler knew about these problems and won't do anything to fix the problem. These vehicles are know to be throw away cars built to replace over and over. Wish I had known before I brought it.

Filed Jul 19, 2006 · Engine · 34,900 miles · CA

Dt*: the contact stated the engine rattles hard enough to make the vehicle stall. It has stalled four times. The dealer repaired transmission but the vehicle still has the same problems. The vehicles been to the shop on six occasions for this issue.

Filed May 30, 2006 · Engine · 55,000 miles · CT

The spark plug has repeatedly flown out of the engine, it has been fixed multiple times. There was a sleeve put in to keep it in place one time, another time the cylinder head was replaced, the final time I'm being told I need a new engine. I also had to get the catalytic converter replaced once. I've had to track down anyone to speak to at the dealers, and have gotten conflicting answers any time I've spoken to different people.

Filed Jan 5, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · 66,928 miles · WV

Dt*: the contact stated while driving the transmission speed sensor shorted and caused the computer to short out. The engine and transmission completely locked and the vehicle stalled. The contact pushed the vehicle to the side of the road, where it was then towed to a certified dealership. The transmission and engine were replaced as a result of the damages caused by the sensor.

Filed May 5, 2005 · Engine · 10,000 miles · AR

I have a 2003 dodge neon that I have took back to the dealership 5 or more times with the emmision light coming on and it still is doing it.