1998 Dodge Neon from North America - Comments

I had to replace the brakes.

I had to replace the starter. This was covered under my warranty.

I had to replace the battery. This was covered under my warranty.

My sunroof stopped working.

My oil leaks.

My trunk leaks. This results in my car smelling like mildew after it rains.

My air conditioning stopped working.

This car has proven to be an unreliable money pit. I have invested well over a thousand dollars in repairs into the car.

The car has stranded me at the airport and at a gas station - both very late at night. As a single women, I found this very disconcerting

The leak in my trunk has caused a serious mildew smell in my car after several days of rain. Consequently, I am embarrased to have people in my car.

I am glad to know that my car is not the only one that leaks and has a mildew smell after it rains. I have had my car for about 13 months. I can't stand that smell. I have to use rug deodorizer in to keep the get rid of the smell. I too have had to do other repairs to my car, a 1998 Dodge Neon.

I too have a 1998 Dodge Neon. I have had to replace my head gasket for $450 dollars, my trunk also leaks and my car got flooded due to a week full of rain. Now my car is currently not working; it has been broken for three days and it could possibly be the starter, which costs $180 at a retail auto store. And it is rebuilt. Why me? And I have to move in 7 days while having two children, working and going to school.

Only one more year until this car gets paid off. Honda here I come.

I have a Dodge Neon 2000. Trunk is still leaking. Look elsewhere, anywhere except Chrysler Cars.

I have owned a

98 Dodge Neon since May of 2003. I have had nothing but problems with it since I got it.

1) My trunk has a leak somewhere, and a horrible mildew smell.

2) My brakes scream constantly.

3) 4" of water laying in front and back seat due to 3 days of contant rain, which doesn't help the smell of mildew.

4) My a/c is broken, doesn't work at all.

5) As of right now I have some kind of problem with the starter, and it only starts when it wants too, and half of the time it doesn't even turn over and is dead as can be.

I really do love the car, but it is becoming very expensive to keep everything up to date and working. It happens to be my first car and I'm 18 and its kinda depressing. How can someone make such a cheap car? I have read other peoples problems with their neons (doesn't matter what year) and they are having the same problems I am having with mine.

I have a 1998 Neon and have had problems with since I bought it. It started with Oil in the antifreeze, which turned out to be blown head gasket - $850 repair work. Then, my plastic radiator got a hole in it - $450 to replace. My water pump turned side ways and chewed up my timing belt - $680 repair work. Currently, I have an electrical system malfunction, where my car computer will not tell my alternator to charge my battery. Replaced the alternator and battery - $500 in parts and still have a charging issue. Had an electrical diagnostic done turned out to a computer problem - $500 to fix - saving money to get it repaired. I called Chrysler, they said that they cannot help me, since the car is not under warranty. BUMMER! I will NEVER buy another vehicle from any DODGE, CHRYSLER or PLYMOUTH company. Thanks for nothing Dodge!

I have a 98 neon and the only problem I have had with mine was the Radiator Hose blew. My brakes are starting to go bad though. So far I haven't had any leaks in the trunk... knock on wood.

I have had my 1998 Dodge Neon for one year now. The trunk and all rest of the car leak in the rain (Fortunately I live in California). The brakes squeal constantly. There is an electrical problem, the car warning light says the doors are ajar and the inside light is on all the time. Repairs were covered under warranty, but the dealer went bankrupt.

I have had all the same problems you guys and girls have had. I am looking to maybe get a new car, maybe a Focus, but they sound like they might not be that good either. Better than Neons, but still have a few bugs.

I would love a Lancer Evo, but cannot afford one. We all need to get together and file a class action lawsuit against Chrysler/Dodge.

I own a 2001 Doge Neon. When it rains I too get huge amounts of water in the trunk and in the back seat floors. About 4-6 inches sometimes. I called Chrysler and they say that enough people need to call and complain to get a re-call...everyone with this problem should call Chrysler and complain so we can get our cars fixed!

I bought my 98 neon new, as a chrysler. The sunroof was fixed just about every year on average. I tried to report it under the lemon law and the guy sided with the dealer, no surprise there I should say. He was so smug and told me he knew his answer was and then I found out the next day, after he talked real nice to us, that he sided with the company. My transmission is now the new problem, besides a lot of problems with sensors and brakes and etc. My car shifts into neutral whenever I am going over 40 mph, almost got killed a few times, rear ended almost. I have no money to get a new transmission, so it will most likely sit in my driveway till I can raise the 1,000 bucks it will cost to repair. My next car will be an subaru forrester, used of course, but never one of these again. Never.

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with a leaky trunk! Overall, it's been a decent car, only minor problems. The brakes squeal, the radiator blew, and some minor electrical problems. I'm worried about the transmission now that I've read other comments. I have 105,000 miles, better start saving for a new car I guess. The new Ford 500 looks nice!

I live in Crystal Lake Il and have bought two neons

These will be my last

Problems with Head Gaskets, brakes broken sun roof (Track)

New starters & this is just to name a few of my favorite things...

After reading the previous comments on this site about the dodge neons, I find myself to be right along side everyone of them in some way. I'm 18, this is my first car, got it cheap and seems like what I payed for too. When I got it, the trunk had lots of mildew, had to spray a water/bleach solution in the trunk. Sunroof is shot, doesn't work. Right window doesn't work. Leaks antifreez and oil, but I fixed them. AC needed Belt Dressing to stop the loud squealing noise it was making. I'm suprised this car is still running at 186,000 miles. Think its time to start saving for that nice pick up I always wanted...

I have a 1997 plymouth neon that has only had the following problems:

1) rear passenger brake shoes.

2) battery.

3) windsheild wipers.

4) R34A refriderent for the a/c.

All of these problems are just regular maintnance for a car that has 90,000 on it so you can't say its the companys fault.

P.S. R34A is a envirmental freindly version of freon witch may be the problem with lots of air conditioning units on neons because even though you may not have a leak, neons can often go through it fast. You can buy R34A anywhere for around 10 dollars.

Any questions, my email is

grrtkamine@yahoo.om.

I've owned 3 neons and am contemplating getting another. Yes I did have a leak in the trunk, I'll try and figure that out on my next one. Yes they do need repairs now and then, but far less than most any car I've ever owned (24 to date) Did a complete front brake job for $40 rotors and pads on my last one..can't beat that. Don't close the door with the window, it will not leak once in place. The price for admission is so good, the actual cost of running the car is probably cheaper (great used car) than anything around and certainly more fun.. people are getting high mileage out of these cars,and yes you do have to do maintenance.