10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
1,467 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1996 Dodge Neon:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #131

Jun 272000

Neon

  • miles
Engine was leaking oil. A technician explained that the problem was a blownout head gasket.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

problem #130

Jun 142000

Neon

  • miles
Leaking head gasket found while being tuned -up at the lube center plus, frederick, md.

- Frederick, MD, USA

problem #129

Jun 201999

Neon

  • miles
Head gasket warped diagnosed at dealer when was having another repair, wiring harness short caused smoke to fill car while driving had it towed to dealer.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #128

Jun 122000

(reported on)

Neon

  • miles
My head gasket was leaking and has recently made my car start to overheat. My speedometer has also not been working since about 2 months after I bought the car and I have taken it in to be repaired approximately 5 times and it is still not working correctly.

- Ventura, CA, USA

problem #127

Jun 052000

Neon

  • miles
I took my car to a local mechanic shop and they told me that my head gasket was leaking oil and I needed to take it to a Dodge dealership to get it repaired. When I called the dealership, they quoted me $700. I then found out that there is a problem with these and when I called again they said the Plymouth is meeting customers halfway and they would pay for half. By reading all of these other complaints, there is a major defect with the head gaskets onthe Neons and I don't feel that I should have to pay anything.. this should be a recall...................

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

problem #126

Jun 192000

Neon

  • miles
Drove vehicle into an independent repair shop for routine oil service, and was informed that vehicle experienced a blown head gasket. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not covered under a manufacturer's recall.

- Chicargo, IL, USA

problem #125

May 252000

Neon

  • miles
Apparently, the head gasket situation is a manufacturer's defect. At 66K miles, I cannot understand why I now have to replace the entire fan unit becuase "it is worn out." The manufacturer's maintenance book has no mention of such replacement at 66K--I think that had I been on a major highway and this would have happened, there could have been unnecessary injuries due to unexpected "cheaply" made parts. -- never again will I buy a Chrysler/Dodge car.

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #124

Nov 091999

Neon

  • miles
Head gasket failures began on this vehiche at approximately 20,000 mi and continue.

- Lawton, OK, USA

problem #123

May 122000

Neon

  • miles
I'm very upset that there have been a lot of complaints about the head gasket problems in the 1995 and 96 Neon's yet they haven't been recalled. I cannot afford to have the head gasket replaced and may have to let the car go. Please contact me regarding this. 419-946-4295.

- Mt. Gilead, OH, USA

problem #122

Feb 102000

Neon

  • miles
Dodge Neon engine head gaskets are known to leak - manufacturer will not reimburse owners for repair of a known defect. My cost was $1004.

- Loveland, OH, USA

problem #121

May 052000

(reported on)

Neon

  • miles
Engine head gaskets have blown out three times.

- Ackron, OH, USA

problem #120

Apr 231998

Neon

  • miles
Head gasket failed.

- Brunswick, OH, USA

problem #119

Apr 122000

(reported on)

Neon

  • miles
Engine head gasket problem has been reported to your organization by many Neon and stratus owners, what is being done about this?

- Roseville, CA, USA

problem #118

Mar 302000

Neon

  • miles
I have become aware of this "head gasket" problem through Dodge Neon message boards after purchasing the vehicle and having the gasket replaced for $500.55 parts and labor. I hope this problem doesn't occur as often as all the inquiries suggested. Perhaps you should recall the line of vehicles, right the wrongs, or reimburse buyers of your products the expences that occur but shouldn't. please contact me by phone or mail to discuss this problem. Thank you for your time.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #117

Aug 261997

Neon

  • miles
Chronic oil leak due to head gasket failure, chronic clunking in right front either steering or suspension problem which after multiple trips for service remains uncorrected.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #116

Apr 012000

Neon

  • miles
www.carpoint.com stated there is oil leaking from engine block for this model.

- Jackson, NJ, USA

problem #115

Apr 041999

Neon

  • miles
These vehicles need to be recalled now, the head gaskets are defective and they know it, I'm tired of oil flowing out of the back of the engine, all over the exhaust manifold which will cause a fire, , please help.

- Clinton Twp., MI, USA

problem #114

Oct 011999

Neon

  • miles
The head gasket on my Dodge Neon needed to be replaced a second time at only 76,000 miles.(conveniently out of warranty). I know several other people that have had this same problem. Dodge has been contacted but no reply has been given.

- Hammond, LA, USA

problem #113

Feb 292000

Neon

  • miles
The head gasket leaked oil, so had to be replaced. What I am angry about is Chrysler knew that the orginal part was faulty, hence they re-designed the placement part. However, they are making their customers pay for their mistake, which I think is wrong. I have recently seen where Ford is reimbursing their customers for the same problem (faulty head gasket). Why wouldn't Chrysler do the same thing to keep their customers happy?

- Vienna, WV, USA

problem #112

Mar 182000

Neon

  • miles
I own a 1996 Dodge Neon and recently my service engine light came on. My husband checked my oil and anti-freeze and noticed there was oil in the radiator. He knew right away that the head gasket was gone. We went to the dealer to purchase a head gasket and the salesman told us that Neon's were known for this problem that the original head gasket that were installed at the plant weren't think enough. My husband asked him why we should replace this and not the dealer. Our area part stores can't keep up with stocking head gaskets for these cars. Why should we pay for this?

- Fort Ann, NY, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »