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Dodge Neon transmission failure problems

40 of the 3,483 owner complaints about the Dodge Neon describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 2002 model year.

owner complaints
40
worst model year
2002
typical repair cost reported
$1,864
typical mileage
67,234
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 20, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 124,000 miles · IN

This makes 3rd transmission that has been put in this 2003 dodge neon xst . I have put $10.000.00 in transmission replacements ! These are lemons!! I will never buy another dodge!!

Filed Oct 17, 2014 · Transmission · 70,503 miles · OH

Driving on rt224 and car started squealing, lost power in gas pedal, got off busy road, turned on side st. And had no gas power, had to call my husband to pick me and my uncle up, he lost paid work , mechanic came to parking lot, he said transmission blew, had it towed to shop. Cost me 2,323. Also rip in left front axel mechanic says these neons are known for this trouble and to file with you. I need to get refunded in full, these cars should not be on the road. I do not work and it was very hard to scrap up the money to pay this and our lives were seriously in danger on a busy road. I called on 9-29-14 and filed a complaint with your worker ref #10639796 and she said she would send me an email and paper in the mail conserving this phone call . I have never received anything. Plus I will sending a complaint about my husband's jeep 2000 gas tank shield is rotted away and pieces missing. This should be recalled.

Filed Jan 17, 2011 · Transmission · 125,349 miles · IL

I was driving on the interstate when, with no warning, I felt a jolt (like being hit from behind), then a strange sound from the engine compartment. I was able to control the car and pull off to the side of the road where I discovered that I had lost all gears. The car would not shift and would not move. I had to have it towed home (about 80 miles) where I took it to a transmission shop. They did a complete diagnostic evaluation and determined that the transmission was completely blown along with the cooling system radiator. I had to have the transmission rebuilt and the radiator replaced at a cost of almost $1,800. After talking with several transmission shops and reading comments on various websites on the internet, it appears that this type of transmission failure is very common with the dodge neons. It would seem reasonable that this be addressed in a recall by chrysler.

Filed Aug 25, 2010 · Engine, Transmission · 66,447 miles · WI

S10 appropriate handling - letter from regarding dodge problems. *kb 2004 dodge neon. The consumers wife was driving the vehicle when the vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating. The transmission failed and she was barely able to make it to the side of the road. The hood was extremely too hot to touch and noises and liquids were coming from the vehicle. The consumer stated there was a known problem with the transmission cooler in the radiator. The transmission, radiator, hoses and thermostat had to be replaced. Also, the engine was flushed.

Filed Mar 19, 2010 · Engine, Transmission · 67,234 miles · IA

2004 dodge neon sxt. Transmission / cooling system failure resulting in antifreeze mixing with transmission fluid destroying transmission and radiator. Dodge refuses to honor their power train warranty citing the cooling system as the cause of the transmission failure, and not the powertrain. This should be a rare occurrence according to my mechanic, but it is one of the largest problems with the car online. There seems to be a major defect in these cars causing a catastrophic failure. Dealer estimated 3900 parts and labor to fix.

Filed May 15, 2009 · Transmission · 55,000 miles · WV

My 2002 neon dodge neon's transmission went out before 60,000 miles.

Filed Feb 1, 2008 · Lights, Transmission · 63,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge neon. While driving 40 MPH, the headlights were foggy and provided poor illumination. The lights also face downward instead of straight ahead. The contact was also experiencing transmission failure. When she would shift into drive, the gear would shift into reverse or neutral. The dealer stated that there were no recalls for the headlights. The purchase date and powertrain were unknown. The current mileage was 75,250 and failure mileage was approximately 63,000. Updated 03/18/08. *lj the consumer stated vehicle's transmission was rebuilt in 02/08 at the cost of $1,864.18. Updated 03/18/08

Filed Sep 2, 2007 · Electrical, Transmission · 75,000 miles · OH

I have a 2002 dodge neon. In the first year I had the car I had the typical car problems but nothing too major. I have replaced the battery 6 times in the car, since purchase. In may of 2006, is when the problems began rolling in. My main computer had died in the car, a $900 repair. After contacting dodge to get a new computer to put in the car, I had to wait for 7 months for it to be shipped, due to such a large back order. And the computer was only shipped after dodge was called and I had threatened to contact the better business bureau. The day I had picked up the car from getting the computer installed, my radiator and transmission went out. So I had to repair both of them. Only a few weeks later the car was yet again in the shop for yet another transmission problem. The check engine light is now back on, upon having the computer code hooked up to the car, I have learned that there is a transaxle control system failure and an incorrect gear ratio condition in 2nd and 3rd gear. The car will not go above 45 MPH. When I start it and put it in drive it takes a few minutes for the car to recognize that its in the drive gear and when it finally does go into drive the entire car jerks. It will do that for several minutes. This will now be the 8th time from december, 07 to august, 07 that I have had to make repairs to the transmission. My car is only 5 years old, there is no reason on why I should be having so many problems. I have taken care of my car and it has received the proper maintenance. I have put more then $9000 in the car since purchase, having to go as far as to have a family member take out a second mortgage on their home to pay for the repairs. After looking up complaints online, I have found numerous complaints about transmission problems, why has this not been recalled?? Why is it that the only recall on the neon is the lighting system??

Filed Apr 23, 2007 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · WI

Total transmission failure. Yet to be rebuilt very expensive! I will never purchase another dodge/chrysler/jeep product again!

Filed Jan 17, 2007 · Transmission · 76,328 miles · CA

Vehicle has continued to idle hard after transmission replacement in nov of 2004. Vehicle has started to stall when stopped. On date of incident, owner was driving vehicle home in a 55 MPH zone. Vehicle made a screeching noise, check engine light came on, and vehicle started to sputter. Transaxle had to be replaced twice (first one shipped from manu was defective).

Related recalls

Power trainReported February 23, 1994 · 7,100 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Moisture can get into the powertrain control module (PCM) causing driveability malfunctions, including stalling.
Risk
Should drive ability malfunctions or stalling occur whilethe vehicle is in motion, a traffic accident may occur.
Remedy
The powertrain control modules on these vehicles will be replaced.

Recall number 94V033000 · Recall details

Questions about the Dodge Neon transmission failure

Which Dodge Neon years have complete transmission failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2002 (10 complaints), 1996 (7 complaints) and 1997 (5 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix complete transmission failure on the Dodge Neon?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,864 (median of 9 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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