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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Head gasket has failed twice, causing massive oil leaks!
- Tallahassee, FL, USA
Consumer noticed large amount of oil leaking from vehicle. Dealer has been notified, and engine head gasket was replaced.
- Ramsey, NJ, USA
An oil leakage due to head gasket failure which causes damage to engine. Manufacturer is aware of defect, but will not provide assistance.
- Concord, CA, USA
Had to replace the head gasket at about 60,000 miles. I see lots of other people are having the same complaint. When will there be a recall? this same engine is used in a number of Chrysler cars and the problem is happening to those owners also. Help us out.
- Puyallup, WA, USA
Head gasket failing second time - leaking oil badly - have lost approximately 2 gallons of oil into the environment through leakage for each failure - when will an environmental recall be issued for these cars - Dodge claims no record of first repair but I have receipts, do not trust Dodge's reporting of the extent of this problem - www.Neons.org shows up to 1/3 of these vehicles are having head gasket failures. This would indicate that 600,000 gallons of oil have already been leaked into the environment - when will something be done to end it.
- New Bloomfield, PA, USA
Head gasket failing second time - leaking oil badly - have lost approximately 2 gallons of oil into the environment through leakage for each failure - when will an environmental recall be issued for these cars - Dodge claims no record of first repair but I have receipts, do not trust Dodge's reporting of the extent of this problem - www.Neons.org shows up to 1/3 of these vehicles are having head gasket failures. This would indicate that 600,000 gallons of oil have already been leaked into the environment - when will something be done to end it.
- New Bloomfield, PA, USA
Ongoing oil leakage; vehicle taken to an independent repair shop, and was informed there was a blown head gasket. Dealer repaired the vehicle.
- Huntsville, AL, USA
The head gasket was defective which in the process it ruined the short block, cylinder three, and the radiator
- Wamego, KS, USA
Engine head gasket leaks oil.
- Turtle Creek, PA, USA
Had an oil leak, mechanic said I had to replace the head gasket. It is obvious there should be a recall.
- Woodlawn, NY, USA
Consumer noticed oil leaking from underneath the car. The head gasket blew out more than on one occasion. Chrysler had known of problems with head gaskets in Neons, and agreed to pay for parts only.
- Montague, MI, USA
Twice the head gasket on this car has blown. The first time the car was at 35,000 miles, just short of the warranty so it was replaced at no cost. The second time the head gasket blew was just 1 1/2 years later and I was quoted between $800-$1,500 to have it repaired again. Chrystler corporation is fully aware that this is a common problem with this make and model. I called a number of dealers when trying to get this car fixed and every dealer said this is a very common problem. More than half the dealers recommended I call chrystler corporation to get assistance with the cost. After raising enough hell with chrystler and the dealership, I was able to get it repaired. I do not want to go through this every year and a half. And I should not have to...this is a major, expensive repair and that company should have enough confidence in their product to warranty it.
- Brooklyn Park, MN, USA
Head gasket was first replaced about 2 years ago, I am having it replaced for the 2nd time now.
- Weston, FL, USA
Vehicle was taken to a mechanic because of oil leakage. It was determined that the engine head gasket was leaking oil. The head gasket has been replaced. The original engine head gasket was replaced at 8, 000 miles. Chrysler confirmed that there was a problem with the head gasket. But it was not under recall. Ak.et.
- Hialeah, FL, USA
Ongoing problem with a 2.0L engine head gasket failure. From March of 1996 to present, vehicle has experienced replacement of 2 head gaskets, egr valve with eet, oil pressure sensor/switch, and transmission.
- Garnerville, NY, USA
The dealership told me they were aware of the problem with the head gasket. At the time mine was being repaired there were 2 other Neons in the shop with the same problem. This was stated by the service manager mark mendez. He also stated that this was a common problem with Neons that were produced before 1999. My car needed work done after my 3 year/36000 mile warranty expired.
- San Jose, CA, USA
Would like to add my (now) 2 experiences to the mix of many, in regards to head gasket problems with the 1996 Dodge Neon line of vehicles. This seems to be a very common problem, and Chrysler has done nothing to ease the costs of this problem for hundreds of thousands of customers. I have replaced the head gasket (under extended warranty) twice now. The first time the blown head gasket caused enough damage that the entire engine head had to be replaced the first time. As I was writing this, I received a call from the 5-star Chrysler dealership/service shop who is doing the work for a second time now (the car was also purchased there), and found out I will be without the car for another week because this time the damage is requiring replacement of the entire engine due to warping. Even though this is covered by extended warranty, I have to pay $100 about every 20,000 miles to have this problem fixed. I am told Chrysler is on their 6th revision of this gasket, but no recall or consumer warning has been made public. Searching through the internet, it is staggeringly easy to find many others who are having this same problem. This costs me money and the inconvenience of being without one of my vehicles for a known problem.
- Aloha, OR, USA
Sudden complete loss of oil due to head gasket failure.
- Wausau, WI, USA
I have had multiple problems on a 96 Neon. I think around 35,000 miles (10/29/98) that the head gasket blew. I took it to be fixed at a cost of $100 covered under warranty. Again at 50,000 + miles (4/29/99) we had to take it in again for a blown head gasket. In addition, I think this was the time that we had to replace some kind of front oil seal. We also had them try to fix the speed gauge that had started acting strange. When the speed gauge acted up so did all the other lights on the dash come on for no reason. They replaced the cable but we soon found out that it didn't help. This was at a cost of $114.58 covered under warranty. At 75,000 (12/3/99) back again for some oil seal around the spark plugs and the changing spark plugs etc. Mostly under warranty at a total cost to me of $134.41. This did not fix the problem so I took it back for more charges of $197.43. I was also told that I needed to replace something in the dash to keep the warranty good so that the tachometer would still work. I told them to get the parts ordered because they told me it would be more than five days to get this done and my warranty only covers a rental for 5 days. I have not heard back from them. Two days ago, I changed the oil and it was leaking from the front seal (or it seems to me). Yesterday the service eng. Light comes on. I will be contacting bob allen Chrysler in danville Monday to see what they will do. My point is that Chrysler needs to help all of us that have problems with the head gasket. One of the service workers told me that they worked on way to many of the Neons for head gaskets. I have also had the electrical problems with the dash and the car seat does not lock into place very well when you adjust it.
- Crab Orchard, KY, USA
- Fort Ann, NY, USA