After only 32,000 miles, head gasket blew causing oil leakage. This is an ongoing problem with the 97 Dodge Neon. It must be recalled.

- Linwood, NJ, USA

Oil leakges after taking vehicle to dealer for an oil change, vehicle was returned to dealer for leakages, and dealer informed consumer that problem was due to a head gasket failure.

- Erie, PA, USA

Transmission is sluggish and headgasket leaking, took to dealer. Transmission is now completely failed.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

I found out about a possible head gasket problem when I took my car to an auto repair shop for another service. The repair man was going to change my transmission fluid/pan but then discovered that the seal to the pan on the head gasket may be leaking, but the pan was sealed with some type of sealant that he could not remove it. Also, we were told that there are defects in the airbags and they were supposed to have been recalled, but I have never gotten any information pertaining to this "very important" issue. Also, the paint on my car is literally falling off in patches. It appears to only be the only color (purpleish/blue) of the Neon's that the paint is coming off. My car (keep in mind only 2yrs old) actually looks like a spotted cow. I can take my finger and peel the paint off with ease. There are cars that are 10yrs older than my 97 and the paint looks 100 times better! Dodge is also aware of this "bad paint" but they want to charge $300 to get it re-painted--the exact same color??!!! Dodge should replace the paint free of charge on all these models with this color paint. It makes me not even want to drive my 2 yr old car with paint missing from front, back, side to side.

- Dallas, TX, USA

I heard alot of head gasgets on 95-99 Neon have failed and chysler has paid to repair them even when they are out of warenty. When I called them they acted like they never heard of the problem before I talked to the dealer and they just blew me of to. My bill was $900. I can't belive there was not a recall when so many head gasgets have failed.

- Madison, WI, USA

Head gaskets leaking had to be repalced AT47272 problem started at 28000 miles stockton Dodge kept telling nothing was wrong untill I was losing a qt of oil a week and power failure ws getting worse and has continued every sence. Engine power flatens out I have no exceloration ability during that time engine surges which causes the car to lose slow down while at high speeds. Gas mileage has droped to 1/2 the normal rate of 300 miles per tank of gas. Howeling noise from newly installed transmission at 20-30 mph and again at 55-65 mph.

- Lodi, CA, USA

I bought my Neon used (but only a year old) I have had many problems with this car my blinkers come on by themselves, my trunk and back floors are getting drenched (puddles of water 3 inches) my brakes are squaling, my door light is shorting my reverse lights are blown my head gasket has blown twice. I have also had problem with my fires under the hood. This car is made poorly. I am trying to trade it and it not as much as I owe. Talk to dealer but does not seem like they want to help.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

Consumer took vehicle to dealership. Vehicle was leaking oil from underneath/ also, there was oil inside spark plugs.

- Mountainburg, AK, USA

Vehicle experienced overheating due to head gasket failure. Dealer/manufacturer notified. Feel free to provide any further details.

- San Jose, CA, USA

Oil leak detected by myself at about 40-45,000 miles; had a non-Chrysler mechanic look at it and told me it looked like the head gasket (50,000+ miles by this time) - couldn't afford the $400+ to repair at that time. When I finally had the money (8/10/00 and 88,000 miles) my mechanic referred me to O-reily's because he had heard of a recall. O'reilly's gave me the run around. I am pursuing every avenue to get this problem corrected including the attorney general's office.

- Hereford, AZ, USA

On Sunday July 23, 2000, I was on my way home from a restaurant with my family, I came up to an intersection and stopped. After aproximately 10 seconds at the stop light, I noticed the air conditioner began blowing hot air. I immediately glanced at the temperature guage in the car. It had risen to aproximately 3/4 of the way toward the red mark. I immediately turned the ac off and then turned the heat on as to not raise the heat anymore than what it already was. I was within a mile of my mechanics, so I drove over there and dropped off the car. On the next day, my mechanic called me to tell me that my head gasket had blown. He then told me that these cars were known for this particular problem. I then called smithfield Dodge ( where I bought the car ) they gave me the service manager and he told me that they were having alot of problems with the head gaskets on the Neons. He told me to call the complaints line at Dodge/Chrysler and that even though it was no longer under warranty that they would probably repair it for free as they were on the verge of a recall with these cars. My wife called and left a message with the regional district manager who called me back and tried to strike up a bogus deal with me, offering to fix the car for $544 saying this was the best they were going to do. I had also heard from people over the internet who had also had this problem and they didn't have to pay for their repairs and, they too were also over the warranty. I also heard that this is not the same gasket, they have redesigned it to accomadate the problem. This alone should be recourse for a recall. I still owe two years on this car and I can't afford bills like this. I want a full reimbursement for the work I had done on the car. I have always maintained all my vehicles and kept them all in excellent running condition. This is a problem which is occuring constantly on these vehicles. Check the internet if you don't believe me. People are not happy with Dodge. They're not !

- Johnston, RI, USA

My car had exactly 12000 miles on it when purchased. At around mile 43000, the car began to leak oil. I then took it to a mechanic who told me that it was the valve cover gasket. The repair was to cost me $800 until he also informed me that the problem was reoccuring in Dodge Neons and should have been recalled. The Dodge dealership took care of it. Then, around mile 70000, the car began to overheat tremendously, going dead every time the gas pedal was released, the electrical system began to go haywire, the battery had to be replaced, and as well as the thermostat. I am a college student and for this to be my dependable mode of transportation, it is truly a joke. The Dodge corporation should do something about this. Thank you!

- Lake Village, AR, USA

Oil from leaking head gasket and valve cover gasket leak directly onto exhaust system, specifically the catalytic converter causing fire under the hood. I have known and read of many, many others with this same problem. Oil leakage in excess of 3 qts. Per week. The smell of burning oil inside of the car is noxious. I have a 3 month old baby, a 5 year old, and my wife and we can hardly take a 30 minute trip without having to stop for fresh air. There is a definate possibility of the driver or passengers losing conciousness. Smoke has been visible inside the car before from the burning oil.

- Cedar Creek, TX, USA

The engine head gasket failed on two occasions causing oil leakage.

- Tonawanda, NY, USA

Oil from leaking head gasket and valve cover gasket leak directly onto exhaust system, specifically the catalytic converter causing fire under the hood. I have known and read of many, many others with this same problem. Oil leakage in excess of 3 qts. Per week. The smell of burning oil inside of the car is noxious. I have a 3 month old baby, a 5 year old, and my wife and we can hardly take a 30 minute trip without having to stop for fresh air. There is a definate possibility of the driver or passengers losing conciousness. Smoke has been visible inside the car before from the burning oil.

- Cedar Creek, TX, USA

Consumer noticed a severe oil leak coming from the rear or the head gasket, the oil is running down onto the axles and exhaust pipe resulting in a strong smell od burning oil. Nlm

- Washington, DC, USA

Head gasket failed. Nlm

- Belcourt, ND, USA

Went to start vehicle in the mornings and it sound like something was clogging the engine. Looked underneath the vehicle and noticed puddle of oil. Contacted the dealer, who was aware of the problem.

- Altamonte Spgs, FL, USA

Similar complaints have already been filed wit regards to oil leaks at the head gasket. Attempted repair were made approx. 1 1/2 months after leak was discovered. Two attempts to replace the leaking gasket were made by a lisenced mechanic. After these attempts were made, it was recommended that I take it to the dealer for repair.

- Biloxi, MS, USA

Temperature gauge alarm went off, warning consumer that vehicle was running hot. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, and mechanic told consumer that head gasket had blown.

- Springfield, MI, USA