1996 Dodge Neon 2.0

Summary:

Definitely a car of the yellow sour fruits variety

Faults:

The brakes were squeaky since pretty much day one. we replaced the rear brakes and they make a grinding noise when wet, but don't squeak all the time anymore.

The windows have no frames leaving a nice gap for wind and wind noise to come in even driving at 25 or 35 miles an hour.

My backup lights work when they feel like it, which is usually not when I need them and choose not to work when I do.

The transmission is kind of rough, but it works.

I had a decent engine oil and transmission fluid leak at about 75000 miles. found out I was 2 and a half quarts low on oil where my car only holds 4 and a half quarts. These leaks were cause of a blown gasket, apparently an all too common problem in neons. Nice job, Chrysler.

One of the strips on the rear defroster is fried and doesn't work, of course it's one of the center ones so I am left with a nice strip of frost in the center of my rear window.

Most recently, my car shakes when started, like it's going to quit running. It quit when I accelerated, but starts again when I let off the gas and idle at a stoplight or stop sign. Oil was found on one of the spark plugs, wonderful.

General Comments:

The speakers that came with the car were not good quality. the passenger front speaker never worked, and the front driver speaker blew within a month or two of having the car. I have since put in my own speaker system, but this past summer got a new CD player. While having it installed, the installer informed me there wasn't even a speaker in the front passenger door. Glad the dealership checked that out before selling it.

I would like to have a tachometer, the car takes a little while to shift gears I think.

The only good thing to say about the car really is that it has always started for me and has never broken down on me. Though I've been sure it was about too many times.

For the first year or so I had my neon I was quite pleased and proud of my car. But now, I wouldn't wish this car on my worst enemy. Well, maybe I would.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 23rd January, 2003

12th Jun 2004, 08:08

I have to agree, not the best piece of work in the car industry. My timing belt teeth were sheared, replaced the timing belt, all is top dead center, but there is still no spark. All valves look okay on inspection, but no spark.

Yes, there is oil in radiator fluid from gasket leak.

The car is great when running, but when something goes wrong, look out. It's not going to be cheap or easy to fix.

15th Nov 2004, 12:13

I agree with the statement about neons. I too have a neon. Mine is a 1997. When I read the above article, I felt as if someone was writing a book on my life with a neon. All the problems that the person writing the article experienced, I am now experiencing. When I told my friends that I was purchasing a neon they all warned me not to invest in that car. I guess my friends were correct. The one good thing that I can say about my car is although it has problems occasionally, it has always started up in the morning and has never stopped running.

1996 Dodge Neon

Summary:

The car is a cheap piece of CRAP!!!

Faults:

There is an awful burning smell coming from the a/c.

It has a major radiator leak; after running hot a few times, the leak somehow stopped and now oil is filling my radiator.

The car now has a major oil leak as well. I have to put in a quart of oil per day. When I test to see how much oil by using the dipstick, the dipstick returns dry (I just put the quart of oil in it). Where is the oil? In the radiator and on the ground!

When it rains, water enters the trunk and now there is a funky mildew smell.

The speedometer works when it wants. There are times when none of the gauges work.

There is some type of shortage going on because the interior lights will come on only when the passenger door and back doors are open. When the driver side door is open, I can hear only a clicking sound and the light does not come on.

When I am at a stop sign it does not seem to want to move.

General Comments:

The car has a lot of major problems, but somehow it continues to crank.

I will never purchase another Dodge Neon in my life. The only reason being was because it was sold to me at a very, very cheap price.

I should have known something would go wrong for the price for which I purchased it.

I did not want this car when I purchased it, I was looking for a Honda, but got stuck with a NEON.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th December, 2002

6th Dec 2002, 05:41

Hate to tell you, but your head gasket is about to blow. Get it looked at.

12th Jun 2003, 00:03

I bought a 1996 Dodge Neon in 2000 it had 118,000 km on it and I've had no problems with it at all. I live in Canada and reading some comments I can't believe them because my neon runs like a charm. I now have 176,700 km on it and it still runs like new or better.