Problems with 1996 Dodge Neon ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge neon. the contact stated that all braking function was lost while driving at an unknown speed. she stated that in order to stop the vehicle she had to engage the emergency brake. the vehicle was taken to a local repair shop who diagnosed that the rotors, brake pads, shoes, rear brake drums, and two rear flex lines needed to be replaced. in addition, she stated that the vehicle stalled sporadically and without warning. she took the vehicle back to the local repair shop who diagnosed that the crankshaft sensor, wiring harness, speed sensor, coil, valve cover gaskets and timing belt all needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was repaired. the failure mileage was 17,000 and the current mileage was 32,000.

i have had ongoing problems with my 1996 dodge neon sport, it has been inoperable for the last year or so, due to electrical problems and stalling which i believe stem from the wiring harness. i have had the brakes replaced a few times, the a/c replaced, fuel injection acts up and the fuel gauge fluctuates, my transmission has started slipping, power steering and exhaust are leaking, numerous oil leaks, rear lights/ brake lights have not worked in over a year, driverside window broke along the extending arm inside of the door frame, trunk release is broken and my cruise control is broken! for the last 4months my car has been sitting at atlanta dodge llc! just after leaving it with their service department, i received a call saying i needed a new battery and until it was replaced for $180 they could not do a diagnostic check for any other problems!! the battery was not even a year old and worked fine when i left the car at the dealership!! but in hopes of any decent service i bought another battery from advanced auto parts $40 and took it in myself. during this visit i reminded them that my make and model car was under a recall, they informed me that it was not!! i gave them the nhtsa recall documentation and was told that it didn't apply to my car, only to the neons from the plant in new mexico!! just after thanksgiving i decided to call them to find out what has been going on. i spoke with brian the cs rep. and he informed me that the mechanics could not figure out what was wrong with my car and refused to research any further unless i agreed to spend no less than $250 towards the repairs!! it's not a coincidence that the same parts are in need of repairs as 15,000 other neons -- regardless of which plant the vehicles were assemblied, the defects lie in the placement and/or manufacturing of the faulty parts and should be covered under any relating recalls! *nm updated 12/1505. *jb

The consumer stated while approaching a stop vehicle idled/slowed down, and died. the consumer had to restart it. this happened continuously. the consumer had taken the vehicle to several dealers, and they could not resolve the problem. the consumer stated that one dealer charged him $700.00 for repairs, but it did not fix the problem. *ak *sc

Electrical system:wiring:front underhood caused the fan relay to malfunction which caused the engine to overheat.*ak

Consumer stated while traveling on the highway at 60 mph vehicle buckled, then shut off. consumer had to pull to the side. he had to wait about 3-5 minutes before vehicle restarted. consumer was told by mechanic this was a common problem with this make and model vehicle.*ak

While driving vehicle reached high temperatures due to the engine head gasket failure. this problem causes the engine oil and coolant to leak out of the engine. also the fan runs erratically and on and off continuesly causing the vehicle engine to stall. *ak

I purchased a 1996 dodge neon from bobb chevrolet on 12/28/99. the sales folks were tim and wendy ryan. i paid $6343.85 for the car. the serial number of the car is [xxx] when i purchased the car i asked tim ryan 2 questions: (1) would he have the head gasket checked and (2) why was the transmission slipping. byers fixed the head gasket and he said that slipping transmission was a chrysler thing. the head gasket was leaking all through the spring and summer of 2000. so on 9/8/2000, the head gasket was replaced at byers. it was byers invoice [xxx]. at this time, i asked if the head was resurfaced and checked for cracks along if the head bolts were replaced. i was told that if byers did this and was told no. i took away from this that this work would be too expensive and that was why is wasnt done. i was told yesterday, 1/14/04 that i had a possible head gasket leak again. so i went back to byers for help. treat said today that chrysler wont cover this work under warranty. questions: 1.why did the head gasket leak after 37,000 miles? 2.if the head was resurfaced and checked for cracks and head bolts replaced as i asked for in 2000, would i will have the problems in 2004. 3. how many other dodge neon_x0019_s have bad head gaskets and have to be replaced 3 times in 44000 miles. 4. when the work was done on the head gasket in 1/2000 and 9/2000, what work was done exactly? were the heads taken out and check by defects. i need to know since i now think that the head gasket problem is causing problems with the cooling system, ie the anti-freeze is leaking. *cb *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Recently (in october), the car stalls intermittently. i happens in low speed and when i don't add oil. there is a oil warning together with the stalling. usually i can not start the car right then. but if i add oil immediately and keep adding oil when i turn on the key, i can turn on the car. when i release the oil press, the engine stalls again. i tried twice in the local dodge dealer. they can not fix it and can not find the real problem.

Replaced head gasket in 2000 and now need to replace head gasket again in 2003.

Head gasket leaking oil

The head gasket leaked oil. *jb

Oil sending unit on 1996 dodge neon - flawed part causing severe oil leak, blowing head gasket

My 1996 dodge neon had two head gasket failures to date now. the first was repaired 29,000 miles ago, and now, at 89,000 miles, i had another head gasket fail on me. the car is also peeling paint excessively. instead of under ten years old, the car looks over twenty years old! *jb

96 neon [xxx] head gasket replaced at 18,000. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

1996 dodge neon with a little over 70,000 miles on it. car is leaking oil..according to mechanic, the head gasket needs to be replaced at a cost of $700-$800. mechanic indicated that this is a very common problem with the neon. i would like to know if there is a recall on this issue. if not, is there any steps i can take to have this cost paid by dodge? ts

Oil leaked from failed head gasket or cracked head, exhaust leak from head or manifold. speedometer dial stop working. the car only has 30000 miles on it. my repair man wants $500.00 just to tear down the engine to see if it is the gasket or a cracked head, and thats just the labor and not including parts. this is a safty problem that should be cause for a recall. how many complaints or lives will it take before nhtsa takes action aganist this car manufacturing company? *jb

While driving the vehicle engine stalled. dealer has been notified. please provide further information. mr

There was oil leaking from underneath vehicle. also there was a loud noise in rear of wheel. dealershipis aware of problem.*ak

While driving temperature gauge went to hot. consumer made it to dealer, and dealer stated that radiator needed replacing. one week later, head gasket needed replacing. please provide any further information.*ak

Gauges went too high, and engine blewout. mechanic stated engine needed replacing. when engine blewout was unable to exit highway because of traffic. please provide any further information.*ak

While driving vehicle check engine light came on. dealer states head gaskets needed to be replaced. please provide more details and information.*jb

Engine head gaskets are leaking. consumer does not think it should leak because of such low mileage. consumer was told by mechanic that this is unusual.*ak

Oil leak first documented by dealer at 30404 mi. problem continued to worsen until headgasket had to be replaced on 3/4/02 at 36794 mi. i have heard and read about numerous complaints about blown headgaskets on the neon and stratus and felt i should go on record with my complaint. i have documentation for all service done on my vehicle. thank you. *ak

Vehicle was leaking oil. taken to a repair shop and informed of a blown head gasket. dealer was notified. feel free to provide any further information.*ak

Consumer states vehicle is leaking transmission fluid. *slc

This is an used auto but it has many problems ,some were told to me by a mechanic that were recalls,there are many things wrong such as the floors fill up with water when it rains,the door hinges have rusted and broke,the brakes squeal,the motor leaks oil around the sealsthe fan doesn't kick on to cool the motor nor does the gauge register when it is hot. are these things that the recalls take care of?*ak

I'm wondering why chrysler corp has not recalled the head/head gaskets on the 1996 neon with all the replacements it's had to do. i just had to have my whole head replaced and now the o2 sencor is going out! *ak

3rd time head gasket has failed. white smoke burning from under hood.*ak

At 53000 i noticed oil leaking. after taking it to a mechanic, i was told it was the head gasket. my mechanic stated that he has worked on several neons that have had the same problem. he said the former neon owners took the car back to the dealership and had it fixed for $200 - $250, as opposed to a more hefty charge. i'm not sure how a head gasket can malfunction on a car with only 53000 miles......something is not right with this story. also, my rear break shoes (lining) suddenly gave out...only two months after replacing them. *ak

Consumer notice oil on their driveway under their vehicle. consumer had vehicle serviced, dealership indicated that their is a leak into the head gasket and this is a common problem with these vehicle. please provide more details ts

While driving with heater on, consumer started to smell gasoline inside vehicle. pulled over and stopped. tried to lift hood, but noticed flames shooting out. had vehicle towed home. contacted insurance company and an inspector was sent to check. indicated engine leak caused flames. information provided by state farm insurance agent.*ak *yh

While driving vehicle would momentarily / intermittently overheat and lose coolant within a day or two. vehicle taken to a dealer, and dealer informed consumer of a blown head gasket. manufacturer was notified. feel free to provide any further information. *ak

Customer states brake pedal goes to floor at times, dealership informed customer that front brake pads and rotors are worn low, front pads and rotors needed, there is a recall for the master cyliner rear piston seal on vehicles which may leak and cause a partial brake system loss, dealership would not honor master cylinder recall stating vehicle was not included, therefore customer declined to pay for service and vehicle was not repaired. *tt

Head gasket blewout, causing it to ruin the engine.*ak

I have the exact same problem twice. the first one was at 29000 miles and transmission was overhauled and oxygene sensor was replaced. then, at 64000 miles the exact same thing happened. talked to exteneded warranty company and they said the problems are not realated. talked to dealership, and they said that the problems were "peculiar". called diamler-chrysler, and they said that the two systems were not related. but the problems were exactly the same both times.*ak

This seem to be something that the dodge company should recall due to amount of head gasket problems reported from others like me. *ak

Engine leaks oil and runs rough. consumer had to add 2 1/2 quarts of oil to engine less than 1600 miles. gasket has failed twice once at 36,000 miles and 83,000 miles. currently, at 110,000 miles was failing again.*ak

Consumer stated the engine head gasket started to leak in june 2001 to the point where it now needs to be replaced.*ak. *jb

Dear sir's, it was some-what hard to be really acurate on the milages in your form, but while these things were going on, i was keeping notes. i compiled them all down to a journal type document, dates & times. (06) pages. and i can further extend points in there, in a phone conversation. i will be happy to send you a copy of this also. respectfully, e w. moss. no safetyd efect listed. *ak

Blown head gasket, causes oil and coolant leaks and overheating. dealer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not covered under a manufacturer's recall, and vehicle was out of it warranty. feel free to provide any further details on this matter. *ak

Vehicle had skipping in engine and it would jerk as in losing power when accelerating at highway speeds. vehicle was plugged to computer, and reading showed crank sensor or cam sensor problems. 15 miles later, it cut so smooth that consumer didn't know until accelerating up a hill, it had no power. vehicle would start up, but wouldn't kick over to run. consumer has replaced transmission and sensors to rectify problem.*ak

The c/s oil light flashed on and off. the car was immediately taken to the dealer. they diagnosed a leaking front camshaft seal. the dealer's repair invoice listed the problem as "front cam seal fell out". there was oil all over the engine and the driveway. camshaft seals don't 'fall out' of properly designed engines. there is obviously an engine design defect here.

No summary for above vehicle. *ak

Being repaired at a dealership. they don't seem to think there is a problem nation wide with the gaskets. *ak

Engine head gasket blew out. *ak as the result of head gasket failure, oil mixed with the coolant. the dealer cleaned the radiator and fixed the head gasket. *yh

Oil leak, head gasket. this is a known problem with all of the vehicles manufactured for that year.*ak

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

Vehicle needs to have head gasket replaced. *ak

Head gasket failure. *ak

Loss of oil and white smoke coming from tail pipe. vehicle taken to dealer, and informed consumer of a blown head gasket which was not covered under a recall. *ak consumer states she has checked with several mechanics and was told head gasket was recalled. *jb