1996 Plymouth Neon: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Aug 1, 2007 · Engine · 400,000 miles · MI · fire

The car was run for 45mins at 10mph following a tractor. The last 2 miles were at 55mph. A few minutes after the vehicle was home and the engine turned off, the engine compartment caught on fire. All wiring and plastic components are a complete loss, hood is damaged, and all light units are ruined.

Filed Sep 10, 2004 · Airbags · 103,000 miles · NJ · fire · 1 injury

When turning into a parking lot dual airbags deployed inadvertently. As a result, when air bags deployed they caught on fire. Driver sustained burns to the chest. *ak

Filed May 19, 2001 · Engine · WI

Exhaust has a small amount of black smoke coming from it and the air-conditioner compresser whistles. I checked for an oil leak and found it to be the head gasket. Why such a huge problem is not causing a forced recall is beyond me!

Filed Mar 20, 2001 · Engine · MD

I have had repeated incidents of gasket failure (both) with this 1996 neon. I'm afraid to drive my car anywhere and rely on it for work. At this point I'm sick of hearing other neon owners complain about the gaskets cracking and leaking oil, smoke coming from the back of the vehicle, etc. Chyrsler/daimler is endangering our lives. I had my spark plugs changed during a tune up and the mechanic couldn't believe how soaked they were in oil. My car could have caught fire. He said the entire undercarriag of my car is soaked in oil. Chrysler tried to charge me for previous repairs and said they had no inherent problems with the cars. But one of their employees, and former employees, have told me it's a design defect and even replacement gaskets will crack. It's a problem with the power vs. The manifold of the car (this is what I was told). Isn't it false advertisement to sell a car with a known defect to the unwitting public? Do we need another firestone where people die from their car having defects? I plan to contact the better business bureau, my congressman, the environmental protection agency (major amounts of oil and smoke leave the car), and maryland state government. I want something to be done about this problem. The cars should be recalled or we should be offered deals on different model cars so we can get rid of this hazard. These repairs take more than one day because the engine has to come out. My mother is sick and lives in new york, I shouldn't have to drive a bus to go visit her because I'm afraid to drive due to oil/smoke problems. Consumers of the neons have been duped and bilked of their money. Please investigate the neon!

Filed Feb 19, 2001 · Electrical · TN

Going down road at close to stopping, about 10mph and all the needles started going crazy in colunm of dashboard with lights of seatbelt and battery going off and on. Took car to get diagnostic test done on it and found out that the altenator is producing too much output for car and is trying to burn up wiring harness unit in car. Said this can be very dangerous and catch the car on fire. Have extended warrenty but the dealership seems to find ways around the warrenty of the things I find wrong of saying it iss something else doing it. Service lights did not come on to indecate problem with anything in engine nor did the oil light come on to tell me that my car had leaked out all oil. Have a oil leak again. Fixed once already. 350.00 is too much to pay out for a problem occuring every two years. This also dangerous according to mechanic. Why is there no recall if altanenator is not correct size for car?

Filed May 10, 2000 · Engine · OH · 2 injuries

Vehicle was leaking oil from underneath the vehicle, and vehicle was blowing white smoke coming from engine manifold.

Filed Feb 7, 2000 · Brakes · VA

When applying brakes, they would lock up and smoke came from the brakes. This happened during normal braking. Vehicle was taken to the dealership twice. The first time dealer could not find a problem with the brakes. Vehicle was taken to the dealership again on feb 4, 2000. Master cylinder was changed, along with new pads and rotors.

Filed Sep 7, 1999 · Engine · NC

Had turned vehicle off & smelled burning oil. Took to shop to locate odor. Was informed smell coming from engine head gaskets. Dealership knew about head gaskets leaking oil.

Filed Dec 30, 1998 · Engine · MI

There is a oil leakage coming from the head gasket, and the oil is dripping out onto the ground. If keep on driving the vehicle will catch on fire. Also, if the oil gets onto the engine the vehicle can catch on fire.

Filed Jul 12, 1998 · Fuel system · WI · fire · 2 injuries

As I was driving, my wife noticed a burning smell. I looked in rear view mirror and on the rear deck of the back seat, by the rear window, flames could be seen above my sons head. After we got out and ran away from the vehicle I could see the fuel from the fuel tank burning as it ran onto the ground from the bottom of the vehicle. Campaign # 96v228000

Filed Jul 12, 1998 · Fuel system · WI · fire · 2 injuries

As I was driving, my wife noticed a burning smell. I looked in rear view mirror and on the rear deck of the back seat, by the rear window, flames could be seen above my sons head. After we got out and ran away from the vehicle I could see the fuel from the fuel tank burning as it ran onto the ground from the bottom of the vehicle. Campaign # 96v228000

Filed Jun 22, 1996 · Steering · MD · fire

Drove vehicle to parking lot, took items out of trunk, set alarm then walked away, someone noticed smoke, informed driver vehicle was on fire, wires burned completely.