Dodge Neon harsh shifting problems

Filed Jan 9, 2013 · Body, Steering · 93,000 miles · IL

I was hearing a clunk under my car. Took it to goodyear. They said it was a rusted subframe. Needs to be repaired to the tune of 1000 dollars. They said nothing else looked rusted. Hmmmm odd.

Filed Mar 3, 2006 · Steering · 5,000 miles · NJ

The problem with the vehicle started since the car had a couple of thousand miles. Started off with a ticking noise in the steering wheel, to a popping noise and then to clunking. The car itself had a lot of the suspension reviewed over 20 times by the dealership with "no problem found" they did replace steering couplers based on tsb's but that didn't resolve it. The car still has a click/pop in the steering wheel, when on take off the steering wheel still has the original clunk. The major concerned is the steering!! At any speed above 50 MPH the car is not controllable, it sways, swerves loss of control when trying to hold the car in a straight line. The driver side front tire feels as if its turning in different directions while driving, it requires a lot more effort to make a left turn then a right turns. The vehicle is deemed unsafe by any standard, the other problem is the dealer ship states that its within "spec"... If I have to counter steer on a straight line there is a problem. I have almost had several accidents with the vehicle due to the nature of the steering issue, I am still fighting with dodge trying to get a courtesy district manager to review the problems. Their "official" answer is that its out of the standard warranty and under no circumstance will dodge pay for the repairs for steering issues even though it was a preexisting issue!! The dealer stated that my loss of control was due to a defect in the oem goodyear tires, so I brought it to good year and they said that there isn't anything wrong with the tires. I insisted they replace the tires, and out of goodwill they did replace all 4 tires, but the problem persisted!!!.. I brought the car back to the dealer and they advised that after reviewing the car that is the cars handling characteristics of the car. I knew it wasn't b/c the car never had those issues prior to the 5000 miles, the dealership then replaced some shocks and other odds and ends that made no improvement to the vehicles steering.

Filed Jun 4, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 44,438 miles · 00

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

Filed Mar 21, 2002 · Brakes, Engine · AZ

Chrysler sold neons with known factory defects as evidenced by issuance of 70 tsbs and failed to recall cars which are highway hazards.to date, I have spent $10,088.79 on repairs due to these known defects. Two head gaskets, cylinder heads, cam seals and sensors have been replaced by the dealer under chrysler's "secret warranty"--at 20,871 and 54,049 miles. Now supposedly only defective camsensors are the problem. Other defects beginning 20,000 miles: radio/tape player, vibration, clinkling/clunking sound, steering wheel shake, "toe" problem due to faulty design resulting in excessive tire consumption (tire & wheel run out), ABS failure, brake failure due to faulty design, brake howling, brake metal to metal contact, need for larger brake drums, trunk weatherstripping defective, faulty design results in leaks to interior, lower control arm defective, cannot hold alignment, suspension system defective, tires collapse and fly off, AC failure (hose leaks, compressor replaced), new batteries repeated replaced ( aaa called 12 times and recharger purchased) now a tbs says this is due to a defective rke transmitter, 02 sensors, various seals leak, wiring defective, transmission replaced (nothing but shards of metal left--on display at transmission shop), transaxle differential replaced, oil leakage, lifetime brakes replaced every 6 months, insufficient power on incline, with parking brake and foot brake on car rolls or lurches when ignition turned off, steering column shakes violently at 45 MPH, difficult to steer at under 45 MPH, driver side rear view mirror fell off, turn signal defective, separation of lower control arm ball joint, wheelcover loss due to missing or loose bolts, rim replacements due to tires flying off, oil leak, glove compartment latch failure, poor design with no lights around lighter, and other minor problems. Chrysler is a negligent manufacturer and all neons should be taken off the road.

Filed May 17, 2001 · Electrical · VA · crash

That is only some of the problems I have had with my neon, the speedometer sensor went out at 14,000 miles, the paint has been peeling even after car completely repainted at my cost paint peeled again va beach dodge told me it is a defect in the metal and paint that the car would have to be treated with a chemical and repainted again for the third time, head gasket blew and head severly pitted my mechanic saw 5 in the week mine went out all leaking from the same area, engine looses power constantly, transmission slams into gears and sometimes does not want to change gears causing engine to race, car overheats periodicly since head gasket and head shaved, interior sensors for doors work randomly but mostly do not work, back up lights blow out every 2 months, cam sensor backs out of engine periodicly, front end makes clunking noise during turns was told strut bearings were bad and causing noise although after replacement noise continues, brakes always noisy cleaning and replacement does clear noise up, airleaks in windows of the car causing noisy ride, car does not like to start in cold weather, power loss was not able to be corrected even after mechanic had the car for 3 months and could find nothing causing it but could recreate the problem, and an o-ring on the fuel line connectors to the "fuel accumilator" blow out (happened 6 times so far) causeing gas to poor out on to road while vehicle is moving and engine to cut out.. Neons in general are lemons, chrysler even after contacting over several problems with the car refuse to help any with cost of repairs due to warranty expired. Would love to get rid of this car but can not due to only transportation and putting all money into it to fix it and repair chrysler's defects in design.

Filed Mar 1, 2001 · Engine · OR

My neon started making a noise--knocking noise in the pistons at around 5800 mi.contacted chrysler about the problem.a representative from chrysler told me that the noise was normal for those type of cars.you can hear the noise when it's warm out from aprox. 10ft away--this is wrong for a new car.I could have bought a clunker-to have this noise.what do I do?please e mail me &let me know..thank you!

Filed Apr 5, 2000 · Engine · OH

Chronic oil leak due to head gasket failure, chronic clunking in right front either steering or suspension problem which after multiple trips for service remains uncorrected.

Filed Feb 10, 2000 · Transmission · NY

Vehicle would fail to shift into reverse when weather is cold outside. Previouse owner had transmission rebuilt for same problem in 1995. Owner now had transmission rebuilt for hard shifting into reverse. Insurance company refused to cover due to design flaw from manufacturer. The manufacturer is not covering eventhough a new updated part is available. *ak according to third party mechanical inspector it was founding that there was a material failure to the forward piston seal due to a design flaw from the manufacturer. The insurance policy does not cover design flaws.

Filed Oct 18, 1999 · Electrical, Engine · CT

Whenever turning the steering wheel either left or right, it would make a clunking, popping noise. The sway bar went out. Also, was informed the by the mechanic that power steering rack/ coil, and engine head gasket need replacing.

Filed Sep 30, 1999 · Body, Suspension · FL

Air conditioner also malfunctioned. Repaired on july 29, 1999. Repair required valve expansion, freon, gasket, and recharge. Also on july 29, 1999, right hand turns caused clunking noise. Front end was cleaned and lubed by dealer. Noise returned 8 days later. Also on july 29, 1999 dealer service department found caliper slides dry and again lubed tie rod and ball joints. Complained on september 12. 1998 of back fire of engine when A/C on. Service department claims this is normal even though it was a new problem felt after 2,035 ,miles driven. On october 27, 1998 headlight bezel came loose from vibration from tie rod being loose. Part of dash panel removed to correct loose switches. On october 27, 1998 vehicle was into service department due to door top weatherstripping tabs falling off. Dealer had to order parts and have vehicle returned after parts arrived to reinstall. On october 27, 1998 the front and real wheel toe adjustments, retightend nuts on tie rod and alignement of vehicle was done due to vibration. On may 11, 1999, the transmission fluid was found low by myself. It also had black flakes on the dip stick. "your transmission is shot" was the report from the service department. Transmission was reconditioned, flushed, new band and gasket installed at 7136 miles. Vehicle went back into repairs on october 27, 1998 to have body weld rebented and paint touched up due to damage from lift from previous repair. Several calls to mr. John brunson on october 23, 1998, the general manager of dayton andrews dodge, st. Peterssburg, florida, but were never answered or returned. I had several talks with mr. Mike armus, salesperson, who stated he couldn't get me any straight answers from steve, service manaager, regarding the loose front end problems.