Comments: 1-15, 16-17
I had to replace the brakes.
I had to replace the battery.
The air conditioning quit working.
The head gasket blew.
In March, 2000, I purchased a 1998 Dodge Neon with about 28,000 miles on it. During the two years I have owned it, I have had to get the brakes replaced, and about six months ago I had to replace the battery. I had owned the car for about a year when the air conditioning quit working.
The car has always had a small oil leak. At around 49,000 miles I was adding a quart of oil every couple of weeks. Recently (around 54,000 miles) it started leaking copious amounts of oil onto my garage floor. I took the car to a mechanic and he informed me the head gasket had failed and needed to be replaced. When the mechanic removed the head, he called me and told me there was a manufacturing defect in the head; a "chunk" was missing which could only have occurred when the head was cast. He also stated that this played a part in the failure of the head gasket. He said he had seen this a few times before on other Neon vehicles, and informed me the head would need to be milled. The mechanic who milled the head also commented that he, too, had seen this defect previously in other Neon vehicles.
Because these two mechanics had seen this problem with other Neon vehicles, I started to do a little investigating. I understand with more than a million Neon cars on the road, even a large number of failures is a small percentage of the unaffected cars. I also realize this problem is common among most cars with aluminum heads, not just Neon vehicles. I investigated a little further and found out that head gasket failure is enough of a problem on the Neon that Chrysler made special provisions for head gasket repairs beyond the normal warranty period. Technical Service Bulletin 09-05-98, which addresses this problem, was issued on November 06, 1998.
I contacted the Daimler-Chrysler Customer Assistance Center. They "reviewed" my case and after a few minutes, informed me that Chrysler would not do anything about this as the car was no longer under warranty and because I was the second owner. I wrote a follow-up letter to them and got the same response.
Chrysler/Dodge IS aware of this problem, but obviously won't take responsibility for it. This is the first - and last Chrysler/Dodge vehicle I will ever buy. My advice to others is to steer clear of Chrysler/Dodge and buy just about anything else.
I agree!!!
My '98 Neon is the worst car that I have ever owned. I bought it in May '00, and since then have spent nearly $2,000 dollars in repairs alone. I highly discourage anybody from purchasing a neon, as the repair work that will be needed will cost as much as the car.
I strongly agree.
I have had the worst services with the dodge dealership. I think they make great looking cars, but their service is the worst I have ever seen. I have been to four different dealerships and they gotten worst every-time. I have spent 4,500 dollars in repairs that was not covered in the warranty.
They said I would be sent a gold card with the car's information on it. It's been two years and I still haven't gotten it. You need it to get quick service at any dealerships repair shop. I just got the run a round.
After the repairs on my 98 neon. It's very fun to drive. But I will never, never, never go to a Dodge dealer again.
They sell nothing but costly patching up rubbish.
My neon is fine..
I have a 1998 dodge neon highline and so far nothing has gone wrong with it its 4 years old and has 41,000 miles and is still running like the day I bought it. I'd say it was money well spent, but I guess its just luck who gets the good ones and who gets the crap ones...
I also have a 1998 Dodge Neon which now has an Oil pan gasket leak. I should have checked this website prior to purchasing the car. I am disgusted, to find, that the company does not provide assistance for their defects. This was my first attempt to find some sort of recall. I hope the repairs won't put me in the poor house. I will never buy or recommend Dodge.
I purchased my 98 Dodge Neon High line in July 2000. One day almost a month ago, the oil light came on, there was a ticking noise, so I put oil in it. I took a day later to have the oil and filter changed after putting too much oil. Later that same evening, the noise got worse, it started knocking, I had it towed home. Now every mechanic says it needs a new engine. I have bad luck with cars all together, but this one is worse. It's 4 years old, I've got 36 more payments. The things we go through to have a ride.
April 2003.
I basically have the same general outlook on Dodge/Chrysler dealers as everyone in the comment section. Since purchasing my 1998 Dodge Neon in 2000, when it had 34,000 Km, I've replaced the head gasket twice, had a major transmission overhaul, a/c repair, numerous brake problems,& cooling system repairs, costing thousands of dollars. I'm in the same boat as everyone and not in a financial position to trade or to fix it myself anymore. At this time, the dealer informed me I have a bad rear main seal and the repair cost estimate is 700-800 dollars. It is incredible that these car manufacturers can get away with selling these "money pits on wheels" and basically walk away from any and in some cases all responsibility. The rear main seal of a vehicle should not be defective after just 107,000 km. This is absurd. Also, if the rear main seal is bad, then one would think it would have been leaking when they overhauled the transmission at 80,000 km. In my opinion, they should have noticed some leakage at that time. The fix then would have been minimal cost to me of a 50 dollar part and 1/2 hr labor. Now I'm looking at paying a considerable amount more. This is definitely the last dodge vehicle I'll ever own no matter what it costs to trade. North American made vehicles are inferior to Japanese made vehicles and my next car will be a Honda or Toyota where they do take responsibility for what they sell.
I too bought a 1998 Dodge Neon High line in January 2001. I to have replaced the all of the seals except the Head gasket so far. My trunk also leaks and leaves that mildew smell all over. The seals on the back driver side door leaks and thus every time it rains it leaves a puddle on the floor both back seat and front seat. To fix this I used clear silicone to affix the seal the right way. I have paid hundreds getting the A/C fixed to find out they never fixed it right till this last summer when they said it was the condenser which is located in the dash. It leaked oil and I took it in and they couldn't find a leak told me to keep an eye on it. Then not even 2 weeks later it blew the Cam seal and I had to replace it too. Now on top of all of this it now has no power and it hick ups going down the road. Then when you think nothing else could possibly go wrong guess what the service engine soon light comes on and stays on. Hopefully nothing big this time, but I'm not so sure. I will never buy a Dodge again they are money pits. While I struggle to make the payments and keep it on the road, I dream on owning something worth driving.
I purchased a 98 Dodge Neon in Oct 98. At 93,000 miles I am trying to fix an oil leak. My mechanic has replaced the gage and the gasket seal. So far only 120.00. I read this site today, and I'm thinking about trading it in. I think I will have my mechanic check it out one more time, but it seems these cars do have an issue.
I own a 1998 dodge neon. I am planning on selling it and after reading all these posts, thank god. I have to say though. I got in a small accident and it was fine, no engine damage, just body repair. But the head gasket blew after a year and it was still under warranty. We should all get together and avenge chrysler. If they made the defect, why in the hell do we all have to pay for it?? I have maintained my car, but hate how the brakes have always squeaked. I have to say though, it has never left me high and dry. I did have to replace the battery after 5 years, which is fine. How much should I ask for this thing in Canadian dollars? Sugestions?
I too have a 98 Neon. The car is now 6 years old with 100000 kms. on it. I added a cold air intake, clear bumper lights, and rims off of a sx 2.0. The only thing I dislike about the car is that the brakes squeel, the trunk leaks, and the engine has a slight tick.
I have a 1995 Plymouth Neon Highline. I purchased it four months ago. It was a problem at first, the air conditioner compressor went out at 76,000 miles. Then it has developed a major power steering leak at 78,000 miles, but over all its quit, smooth and comfy. It currently has 80,124 miles and going strong. Aside from the few minor problems I think it is a goo little car for fuel economy and price.
I just bought a 98 neon. 2 months later I find I need a new head gasket 560. I new neon's had this problem, but I was hoping I had some time before this happened o well. Guess not. well I found out the The leaking trung and The engine tick was normal so what ever. We will see what else goes wrong with my little lady.
I bought a 98 dodge neon back in 2001. since I bought this car, I've had to replace the brakes which squeel old and brand new, a fuel injector and filter, a head gasket, a computer, and an igntion module. what else could go wrong?! it's seems to have a problem every other month. my car also leeks water in the rear passanger side. could this get any worse. oh, but it can. my battery just went and my car decided to just shut off in the middle of the interstate. guess I won't be driving this car back home anymore. my advise is definetly to buy japanese. they certainly do take responsibility unlike american companies especially dodge who truly do give you the run around.
We purchased a 1998 Dodge Neon in November of 97. The first month I had the car the brake fluid vanished. I took it back to the dealers and they could not find any problem. I had no problem with it till 6 months later with the same results. The head gasket was replaced before the warranty was up as well as the fuel pump due to deteriorated gaskets. It now has 59000 miles, but has had a problem of losing at least 3 quarts of oil before it has to be changed. The air condition went out this spring and now I am having a problem starting the car. The dealer cannot find the problem with starting the car other than it might be the fuel pump. Recently I have had repairs done to replace the cam sensor, gasket cylinder cover, seal-spark plug tube, and tube spark plugs as well as new spark plugs. Just returned from having the above done yesterday and it would hardly start this AM. Think it's time to get rid of it! My husband says it is a lemon! Sounds like they are all lemons! Chrysler mechanics also! Rose Taylor.
I have a 1998 Dodge Neon, with 80000 miles. It is still running great. I have not had any problems with it, besides the brakes squeaking, and rotors warping, but that is just because the back end of them are so light. I realized that if you put on racing rotors, even though they're more expensive, you don't have to buy rotors so much because they don't warp as fast. However, if you take care of your car like I have I don't think you'll experience too many problems.