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!
1996 Plymouth Neon engine complaints
Page 3 of 7: complaints 41 to 70 of 167, newest first, as owners wrote them.
There was leaking in coolant. Took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced oil filter / anti freeze, and engine bolt. Car has to go in for same problem every two years. Consumer feels it's a manufacturs defect/ poor design.*ak consumer states head gasket failed three times within the first 90,000 miles, consumer is requesting reimbursement for the repairs.
While driving vehicle just stops running, consumer states this has been happening for 3 years, it started right after warranty ended, vehicle has been to dealership numerous times and dealership states there is nothing wrong with vehicle, however the vehicle will barely start at all.
Head gasket on this car has been replaced 3 times! It's no longer under warranty and now I am expected to pay for a new one-$750!! Obvoiusly the head gaskets were faulty to begin with, so why should I have to pay to fix chrysler's mistake!?
I have heard too many complaint on these problems not only from other neon owners, but dealership mechanics as well. Last chrysler product that I will ever purchase. No safety defect mentioned.
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!
The head gaskets leak oil in a remote corner of the gasket. Bottom of car is soaked in oil causing a fire hazard. Heard this is a defect in the gasket chrysler is using and happens every 40,000 miles. Chrysler knows of the problem. Ford recalled the same problem several years back.
While vehicle was being serviced for a oil change noticed a head gasket failure. Manufacturer notified, and informed consumer to take vehicle to nearest dealer. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
Noticed oil leakage in august 2000.
After having my engine repaired for $570.00, I searched the internet to see if this is a common problem and found it was.this is potentially dangerous, if the engine failed while my wife was driving on the highway to work she could be hurt.after calling chrysler about the problem they were very rude and offered no solution at all, not even a compromise, knowing this is an issue but technically not yet recalled.I believe a recall should be forced as this is a major defect on all these model cars. Thank you.
Head gasket replaced once already,and needs replaced again due to a leak,checking on any tsb bulltins avaiable for this on going problem or parts redesigns made.
Defective head gasket malfunctioned, causing oil to leak and damage engine and engine block. Common problem. Please provide further information.
Engine gasket was leaking, oil under car. Also, horn would go off by itself when ever weather was cold.
Consumer had found oil leak on driveway. Then, had taken vehicle to dealer for repairs where they found out that oil was coming from head gasket. They said that this was normal for make/model and year.
This is a chrysler engine product. The engine has a oil head gasket leakage. I have contacted a dealer twice regarding this problem in the past two years, and there has been no recall on this problem. There is numerous reports of this in the internet by consumers, complaining. This a costly repair for the consumer. There should be a recall immediately, because this has been going on for years, with no concern from chrysler.no one should have to buy a new engine when the vehicle is less than 1 to five years old when purchased. Please we need your help.
Head gasket has been replaced 4 times and has caused damage to transmission. Please provide further information.
The head gasket blew which caused oil to leak in the cooling system and overheat.
Soon after buying 1996 neon used engine started leaking oil. At first leaking was not too bad. After awhile it started to get worse. At this moment vehicle is leaking up to two quarts a week. Contacted dealer, and could not resolve problem.
Small leak from head gasket, has escallated to adding a quart every 2 weeks. This problem is one mentioned quite often and appears to be a manufacurer problem, maybe not chrysler but certainly the maker of the gasket. Is chrysler in litigation with the manufacturer and is something going to be done?
Engine head gaskets are leaking oil onto engine. Dealer has been notified.
No summary
Bad head gasket ,we have to put about 2 to3 quarts of oil a week in it.
Engine head gaskets are leaking oil into engine. Dealer will be notified.*ak the failure of the gasket is due to faulty design. The battery died while the vehicle was under repair.
10/11/00-is the second failure of both the headgasket and cam sensor on my neon.
Vehicle experienced failure of the head gasket which causes vehicle to overheat and leak oil, consumer is being denied the extended warranty that was issued by the manufacturer, consumer is requesting reimbursement.
Vehicle leaks oil. Consumer feels it's dangerous because it could cause a fire, and someone could slip.
This car has been garaged for it's entire life. At 56,000 the paint is beginning to chip/pop off the car. Driver's side door trim has already been replaced by the dealer. Dealer cannot seem to fix any of the car's problems permanently. Head gasket and cylinder gaskest have been replaced at 32,000 and 50,000 respectively. Car is unfit and engine poorly designed as a whole. I have driven this car for 4.5 years and have spent alot of money to keep it going.
I have had non-stop problems with the car since day one. It is getting to costly to keep repairing the same problems over and over again. I am really disappointed in the help I have received from the dealership in regards to the several problems I have had with the car. No safety defect mentioned in summary.
Failure#1:1/97-6/97 horn made no noise when pushed. Several visits to two dealers in ft.wayne and indianapolis, in and 6 months later it was finally resolved as being a pinched wire. Had to involve owner of the dealership before it was fixed properly. Failure#2:1/97-3/97 the rear defrost switch failed on occassion for first three months of ownership. Works continuously now. Failure#3:8/97-1998 left turn signal would light up when the brake was applied, only occassionally and while it was slowing down, not at a stop. Failure#4:6/99-current power locks failed. Failure#5: 7/99-8/99 power steering failed. Power switch replaced. Failure#6: 3/00-7/00 A/C failed. 1/2 lb coolant leaked out and was replaced.
Blown head gaskets in april 2000 costing approximately $950 --- replace engine (short block) in august 2000 costing approximately $2500. Bad wrist-pins and/or rocker arms due to faulty engine design by chrysler. Chrysler should reimburse me!
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