Problems with 1998 Dodge Neon ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Dealer repaired vehicle under 7yr/70k warranty. had to pay for broken manifold bolts ($100) - dealer said they were not part of warranty repair

Cylinder head gasket failure

Car began to over heat on major interstate highway. when it was realized that problem was critical car was pulled to side of the highway and dodge roadside assistance was called. car was towed to nichols dodge in burlington, nc where it sits and we are awaiting determination of damage and warranty coverage. *ak

Dash gauges failed due to printed circuit board failure: head gasket failed and replaced by dealer with mls gasket: fuel pump failed replaced by dealer under warranty

Went in for regular service and they noticed a oil leak coming from the head gasket. contacted dealer. *ak

No summary listed in above vehicle. *ak

In the nearly 3 years i have owned my neon, it has been serviced for the same problems a total of 8 times and still there is no recall informaition available for these issues. no safety defect discussed within summary. *ak

Dealership stated this is a problem on all neons because of a faulty part. mentioned that even if you did not have a warranty they would still fix it but it is not published any where. no safety defect listed in the summary. *ak

Head gasket failure at 40000 mi. spring sleeves replaced at 500 mi, failed around 3000 mi. *ak

Chrysler knows that there is a defect in the head gasket and has "secret warranty" which chrysler has extended the warranty up to 5 years/100,000 miles. it is difficult to get dealers to honor this warranty.*ak

Oil leaking from head gasket. per carmax service mechanic "gasket defective". oil dye test performed to verify repair. *jb ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****743020

Consumer took car to dealer for routine check up, and dealer did not see an oil leak, but when consumer took vehicle to a private mechanic, he noticed an oil leak. *ak

I called a local dealer and they told me that the recall for the 1998 dodge neon sohc for the head gasket was no longer honored by dodge, i have since found this to be false. i just want this taken care of and feel they should fix it for free. there is a rumor that chrysler has a 5 year/ 100,000 mile warranty out for this problem in particular. thanks, clyde and myhia hubble

This car has been driven under normal condtions for approximately 18000 miles. i just don't see the head gasket becoming damaged after this amount of driving. *ak

For as much as i pay per month on this vehicle, it has been nothing but constant problems. i am a single mom and cannot afford to have my only vehicle in the shop every time i turn around. it seems that most of my problems are common in the neons. no afety defect listed in the summary. *ak

I want the secret warranty to cover this. no safety defect in summary. *ak

Consumer took car into dealer for a front end problem. mechanic put car on the lift and noticed a problem with engine gasket. *ak the radiator was also replaced. *slc

I bought this car on 3/15, on 4/11 i had to go back with a major oil leak, dealer replaced oil pressure switch, went back 4/18 still leaking, put in a tracing dye, went back on 4/25 was told it would need a head and valve cover gasket to stop leaking, cam sensor mentioned but not repaired. head gasket replaced on 5/3, by 5/6 almost all oil lost mixed w/coolant and foreign material. dealer now says it has a cracked head. this is ridiculous, there should be an entirely new engine because we all know it won't stop here!!! this has to be stopped, i have checked other websites and not found any recalls by dodge for this problem, your website has shown me that this is happening far too frequently. *ak

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

Head gasket failure is defenitely a manufacturing flaw based on the references that i have learned of. there should be a recall on this car for this defect! *ak

On the morning of 06/27/00,while driving to work. as i accelerated to 70 from 65, the donut on the exhaust manifold (flange gasket) gave out. the car began to sound like a lawnmower. i toke it to midas. they told me to check with dodge for federal repairs for exhaust. dodge said no, it wasn't covered, only catylitic converters and brain of elect. i didn't beleive the rep. he proved no proof. the brake system, had the rotors resurfaced and pads replaced at 36244. is this normal? the drums had to be recerfaced also.

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

The vehicle cuts out at highway speed without warning, the installing of new throttle as well as power train module could not fix this failure, possible engine failure caused the vehicle to stall. yh

Head gasket failed at 32,450 miles. told by dealer that this happening to all of the neons. why isn't there a recall then. *ak

Head gasket began leaking around 48,000 miles and was replaced by myself at 54,000 miles. *ak

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

There was oil leaking from the outside. vehicle was taken to dealer ,and was told the head gaskets needed to be replaced. consumer took vehicle in to dealer, and dealer was to cover the cost to have valves and springs in the motor replaced. however, warranty expired because vehicle exceeded the required mileage. *ak

The vehicle was parked in garage overnight. next day noticed an oil leak on floor. took vehicle to private mechanic & was informed it was engine head gaskets that caused the leakage. contacted dealership & was informed new vehicles have corrected, but different type/style of head gaskets. head gaskets are yet to be repaired. *ak

Car shuts off completely upon starting or will re-rev itself after shaking. no control with power steering on wet pavement. has been taken in a couple of times but problem still there.

This problem should not happen in modern cars. my car is only a year old. i know that i am not the only person that has found this malfunction as surprising! the dealer probably will never own their responsibility in this matter. i would like to take all percussion to insure satisfaction. i wouldn't even mind if they would agree to releasing me from any obligations. they can have the car back!

Upon investigation of an oil leak under the hood of my 1998 dodge neon i was informed that the problem was a defective head gasket and sending unit. when i called the local dodge dealership, marietta dodge, inc., 701 cobb parkway south, marietta, ga 30062, (770-424-6601) i was told that this was a common problem and since my auto was not over 80,000 miles the part would be replaced. however, when i arrived for service i was told that the 36,000 mile warrantee was expired so the part could not be replaced free of charge. i feel that the part is a manufacture defect and should be covered regardless of the 36,000 mile warrantee, especially since it did not show up until that particular warrantee was already expired. i see that this problem has been addressed in service bulletin # 090899 and 090997. i feel there should be a recall on these parts since the failure of such cuts down on compression and gas milage making the neon an undesirable automobile. i was informed by the technician that found the source of the leak that his company sees two to three automobiles with this same problem per week. he is the one that advised me to check on a recall since it seems to be a common problem. i have also experienced problems with defective seals that were replaced free of charge after my rear floorboard was getting soaked everytime there was a heavy rain. air conditioner odor which was addressed and treated but not depleated (service bulletin #241197). i also am experiencing brake squeal and groans (service bulletin #051097). i would like to know what my recourse is? where do i go, what do i say, how do i get these problems taken care of before i run out of time? *ak

This car has gone dead twice in the last year and a half while driving.

Being that this is a new car i did not expect that the head gasket would go. upon talking to service repair advisors at my local dealer they informed me that this has been common for the neons. they have seen defective gaskets, but the chrysler corp. has not yet notified or sent out a recall notice for this. my car also experienced several elecrtical anomolies as i was told. the check engine light came on repeatedly and no codes were found that signified a problem so the service man just kept reseting the light. this of course was not acceptable for me, so i had them replace the sending unit to the light(computer control unit). unfortunetly the problem persists(4 attempts at repairs have been made). i have found no resolve for my problem, thus i contact you. hoping for any advice or help this may provide.

While the car was parked the consumer noticed that there was oil dripping under the car. dealer diagnosed the car as having blown head gaskets. *ak

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

Noticed oil leaking from under engine.took vehicle to an independent repair shop. consumer was informed that there was a blown head gasket/a warped engine head , and a blown seal crankshaft. dealer performed repairs under warranty, and consumer wanted to report this incident to nhtsa. *ak

Driving at approx. 50mph at any given time the engine shuts down, vehicle comes to a complete stop. consumer tookj vehicle to dealship on three ocassions, dealder could not find a problem, second time dealer added some transmission flued, and vehicle continues to shutdown, vehicle will go to dealership again on jun. 16, 1999. --- crestwood dodge --

Original motor was replaced at 22,000 miles because a bearing spun and ruined the block. then again, this time, the same thing in the same cylinder(#2 or #3, i forget) happened again. engein oil is checked every 3 days, and oil is changed every 3500 miles.

No summary listed.

Oil leak at 42,000 took to dealership told nothing wrong it was over flow. still leaking oil called and they have no record of bring car in. called again to see if there was a recall on car dealership said they have no problems with this make and modle of car. i have talked with 15 other neon owners and every one of them have the same problem. somethings need to be done i do not have 600.00 to fix the car and feel that the manf. needs to fix my car at no cost to me. this a problem that most everyone with this veh. has thank you

Head gasket failed. yh

Engine head gasket failed, this is a common enough problem with the engines used in these cars that chrysler has issued serveral tsbs on it. none of the failures to my knowledge have to date caused anything worse than overheating due to oil/coolant loss, but could potentially cause more serious damage if left unrepaired for any length of time. *ak

Head gasket blew at 44,000, two exhuast valves not seated. no extended warranty. *ak

Head gasket blew at 44,000 miles. no extended warrenty. $950.00 to fix

Front motor mount failed. *et

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

This car has endless problems. with 2 head gaskets and 1 valve gasket blown, i worry about what damage has been done to my car. i just hope it doesn't blow too. i want chrysler to double my warranty! *ak

Orginally motor mounts were broken, repairs were made. in addition, engine head gaskets were leaking and needed to be replaced. no extended warranty. dealer indicated that can remedy problem but at owner's expense. provide further information. *ak

When driving at any speed and shfting to another gear, the vehicle jerks and shakes and there is a leakage within the transmssion. also, front of the vehicle where the motor mounts are located on the bottom and the top, broke and there was some type of leakage.

While driving car constantly cuts of. ,if going up any type of grade at 25mph the car over heats and cuts off. *ak