1997 Chrysler Neon LE from Finland - Comments

My Husband bought me a 1997 Chrysler neon LX for my 30th birthday and it was the worst gift ever.

First I had to sell my Suzuki Auto which was very economical and reliable to inherit a beautiful monster.

My neon first started its problems with the gasket then the over heating, then the switching on and off of the fan etc etc.

I used the car for short distance only and wonder why I have spent more than my husband bought the car fixing it.

My recent problem is the brand new battery going dead.

The AA guy told me that my alternators are fine, the battery (a hcb065) is very much in good shape and can only suggest I take the car to the garage.

So here I am again back to the Chrysler garage, makes me wonder, it this their business strategy to make money off their customers

West Drayton.

I own a 1996 Plymouth Neon. I bought the car brand new and used to drive it across the US for several years before I had it shipped to Switzerland. The car has severe dents from hail. Nevertheless I loved it a lot until... the inevitable head gasket failure occurred at 76,000 miles last week.

Following this disaster it was very disappointing to discover that the head gasket is a predetermined breaking point in Neon engines. I guess Chrysler never recalled the cars because this was intended to happen sooner or later.

To fix the gasket would cost me $1500. That’s a very high price tag considering the problem most likely will reoccur again soon. Hence all that remains to say is bye bye to my Neon and bye bye Chrysler...

I bought my Chrysler Neon SE 2001 about 6 months ago lovely car to drive automatic good value for money o. k on petrol. I pushed the acceleration hard one day just for the fun it's an automatic and the roar from it is nice sometimes. (stupid I know) after I pulled in to park I turned it off then decided to park a little better when I put it into drive it rolled backwards and I got a funny oil or overheating smell from the front. when I got out I noticed that coolant had leaked all over the road. I took it to the garage and he checked the transmission fluid which seems to be at an OK level one minute and then empty the next the mechanic said somebody put water in with the transmission fluid, but I find it hard to believe to belive some body could be so thick to do that, anyways we drained the transmission fluid and replaced it with new stuff the old stuff was all foamy and watery. Still the car overheats, but there is plenty of coolant. Any ideas because this is the first time to have problems and I really like this car!

On my 3rd Neon right now. Bought one for $500 with 106k on it. All it had was a blown headgasket. $100 later and it's running like a champ.

The reason why Chrysler never did a recall is because Chrysler doesn't recall gaskets of any type. They never have, and unless their new owner changes that, they won't ever. It's just something you have to deal with. Like how if you go to Wendy's and they give you fries and you didn't order, they throw them out. Whereas if you go to McDonalds, they just put them back with the rest. It's just business that's all.

How did someone manage to get their head gasket replaced for just $100? I'm being quoted a $1000+ to get mine done. I can't even afford it right now, it'll take me 4-5 months to save up that sort of money.

I bought my 1997 Dodge Neon for $1450 about a month ago. This is my first car and I was so excited. Then the engine light comes on. Now I am spending $300 for a new O2 sensor, an oil change, new belts and getting my estimate for a new head gasket. Would it be cheaper to buy the parts myself and have someone else place the gasket for me?

Solution to chrysler problems... buy a CHEVY.

I myself had have my Chrysler Neon SE 2000 for now 8 lonnngggg Years! It was and still is the worst car I could have every bought! Not only do the brakes need to be done every 8 months or so - The engine light comes on and off, and there is nothing wrong (so says every mechanic).

Now today the battery light comes on for no reason??? Oh on top of all that, the front light no matter how many times I go and get it changed - burns out within 2-3 weeks every time! Talk about the worst car made!!!

Buy a Chevy or a Ford or a Saturn; Anything but a Neon!

96 Neon - Brakes under warranty. Catalytic converter, crankcase position sensor, oxygen sensor and now head gasket. Fun to drive care, not fun to fix. Chrysler knew of the head gasket problems and did nothing for out of warranty cars. Then people wonder why Chrysler sales fell out the bottom? I have had Dodge full size vans and they were great... not so the Neon. It's been awful.

97 neon, bought used with about 40k miles, head gasket started leaking oil to outside of engine at about 80k; drove it that way until about 130k, replaced with fel-pro (better than stock) ; currently have nearly 240k. Timing belt and front brake pads only other issues of note. High centered it on a large rock one day while on very rough dirt road, bent a suspension member by the time I jacked it up and pushed it sideways, to clear rock; have driven it through 3 deers and numerous 2-3 feet deep snow drifts (the secret seems to be to go fast and be lucky).

Pretty good car except the cheap stock head gasket.