10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,736 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Dodge Neon engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Dodge Neon Owner Comments (Page 3 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #111

Mar 152001

Neon

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I contacted Chrysler daimler 800-992-1997, I was told that there is no repair assistance or recall. Although the service bulletin shows an upgrade and a change in the head gasket and additional installation requirements to be made. This became known in 1998, 1 year after my vehicle was built. This seems likely to be a defect and quality issue.

- Madera, CA, USA

problem #110

Sep 052001

(reported on)

Neon

  • miles
The problem seems to be with the 1995-1998 Neons and the headgasket failing any where from 40000 miles to over 50000;if you go to the website leak neonheadgaskets.com or Neon headgaskets you will see how many problems people have had. DaimlerChrysler will not repair the problem for free. They offer a variety of "good will" assistance but I feel with the number of cars and people being affected there should be a recall and the headgaskets fixed free of charge. I was amazed at how many people had the same problem. I had to fix other things that were related to the headgasket leak and all they would authorize was $300 assistance while I have to pay over $550. Please investigate. They would not even let me speak to the owner or district manager.

- Collingswood, NJ, USA

problem #109

Jul 072001

Neon

  • miles
Consumer took vheicle to a mechanic for a bad oil leak. Mechanic showed consumer 36 different cracks in head of motor.also, transmission was shattered, vehicle was not shifting right. Consumer took to dealer and it was full of pieces of metal. Consumer states that dealer replaced head.

- Cement City, MI, USA

problem #108

Aug 012001

Neon

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Dealership refusing to pay damages for defective head gasket.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #107

Jul 302001

Neon

  • miles
I have gotten the head gasket replaced twice in a span of a year and a half.

- White Plains, NY, USA

problem #106

Jul 302001

Neon

  • miles
I have gotten the head gasket replaced twice in a span of a year and a half.

- White Plains, NY, USA

problem #105

Jun 011999

Neon

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The first issue with the blown head gasket, occured around 32,000 miles. It was fixed without any problems. I am now having the same problems again; oil leaking, extremely rough idling, and have scheduled an appointment to get my car in. Hopefully it will be covered under my added warranty. The second problem is with the paint job. The original paint is lipis blue and is peeling and flaking off in many places. At 35,500 miles, they touched up the problem areas, told me of the defect in the primer, and then informed me they could not paint the entire car, only the panels which did not pass the tape test. I have contacted them again more recently because of other peeling problems. It is my belief the car should have been painted completely when they informed me of the defect.

- Elkhart, IN, USA

problem #104

Jun 292001

(reported on)

Neon

  • miles
Need repair of head gasket, occording to el campo of tucson AZ.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #103

Jun 192001

Neon

  • miles
Head gasket needs to be replaced. Dealership examined vehicle and found that radiator fan relay switch circuit shorted out which could have allowed engine to overheat, and crack head gasket. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

- Camden, ME, USA

problem #102

Jun 132001

(reported on)

Neon

  • miles
Oil leak from head gaskets and from rear main seal.

- Norristown, PA, USA

problem #101

May 282001

Neon

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Head gaskets are leaking coolant onto engine. Dealer has been notified. Chrysler offered to pay half of the repairs.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #100

Jun 062001

Neon

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle had been using a lot of oil, had vehicle inspected, and was told by mechanic that head gasket was blown. Vehicle not repaired yet.

- Ridge, NY, USA

problem #99

Jun 012001

Neon

  • miles
Numerous complaints of head gasket failure on this model car. Please consider a recall.

- Gloucester, VA, USA

problem #98

Apr 252000

Neon

  • miles
Head gasket blew. Oxygen sensor blew. Left rear brake pad fell off and jammed in the drum rendering the vehicle unmovable. Upon inspection, had to replace both drums, both discs, and new pads on front and back both sides. Window seals have failed on the passengers side front window. Water leaks in and air leaks at highway speeds, slows car down immensley and causes more fuel consumption. Driver's side window harshly scratched. Gets worse as time goes by, have seen other Neon's with the same problem. Fuel filter went, causing the entire fuel injection system to have to be replaced.

- New Baltimore, MI, USA

problem #97

Mar 212001

Neon

  • miles
I bought this Neon in August of 1998, it has been nothing but problems since purchase. I have had to have the electrical system worked on twice. When you go over 60mph the steering wheel rattles. The speakers for the radio work sometimes. The overhead light comes on while driving. When it rains the front floor boards get soaked with water. Last month the I needed to replace the headgasket, and after several calls the the manufacturer they paid half, but the next day the engine started to knock severly.

- Roseville, MI, USA

problem #96

May 042001

(reported on)

Neon

  • miles
While driving vehicle engine head gaskets blewout. Had happened twice, and each time was replaced along with spark plugs.

- Laconia, NH, USA

problem #95

Jan 012001

Neon

  • miles
I have driven this car for three years and it blows a head gasket at 60K costing a $1000 to repair. There are many others who have posted complaints on the web but not here.

- Harwich, MA, USA

problem #94

Mar 092001

Neon

  • miles
Consumer noticed that there was some oil leaking. Consumer took vehicle in to a mechanic, and mechanic told him that head gasket was defective.

- Jonesborw, AR, USA

problem #93

Mar 142001

(reported on)

Neon

  • miles
Engine head gasket has blownout, leaking oil and coolant into engine. Vehicle has been repaired.

- Bakersville, NC, USA

problem #92

Feb 182001

(reported on)

Neon

  • miles
I have had 2 head gaskets leak in this vehicle with oil leaking on the engine block. One was replaced under warranty. It has now happened again. I know of many other Neons with the same problems. Appears Dodge knows of the problem based on their service bulletins. A fire hazard exists with oil leaking on the engine block.

- Cayce, SC, USA

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