2003 Dodge Neon SXT from North America - Comments

Just bought a 2003 Neon SXT, and got a tranny leak, don't know where it's coming from. Bought it at a dealer for cash, and we are 100 miles and 5 days over warranty, go figure. Any help?

I have a few issues with my car and I have no idea what could be causing it, I could use as much help as I can get:

I have an automatic 2003 Dodge Neon SXT with about 104,000 miles on it. Lately I don't drive it too much, just around town by my school and sometimes home on the weekends.

When I'm stopped, the car idles at 1000 RPM's...and sometimes it's higher if the engine is cold (which I assume is normal). It does drop after that, but 1000 is the lowest it goes.

When I'm driving, the car does shift, but the engine revs and the RPM's seem to go high to about 3700-4000 RPM's before it shifts the first time. If I am going up a hill and press the gas to accelerate, it seems like it's hard for the car to accelerate to get up the hill unless I press down really hard on the gas, and when I do that the RPM's race anywhere from 4 grand to 4500 before it shifts, and even then the car barely accelerates. After I get up the hill to go down it and let off the gas to coast, it seems like my engine is still racing as if I am pressing the gas still... kind of as if my car is going into overdrive of some sort. I'm not sure if it's because my car misses a gear when it shifts, or it just doesn't shift into the last gear. It just seems like the engine is working harder then it should for the car to accelerate.

I had a problem with the shifting about 6/7 months ago where the RPM's would race and wouldn't shift into ANY gears... when I would press the gas to accelerate, the RPM's would just about red-line and I would have to keep my speed steady at about 30 or below and tap the gas extremely lightly in order for it not to race that high. I got the issue fixed and it ended up being both the shift solenoid and transmission control module. Since the issue got fixed, I don't drive the car as much as I used to being I live on campus at my school. The car ran perfectly fine for about 3 months or so (idling where it should be, shifting when it should, etc.) and then it started up with the issue I'm having now, which seems close to the issue I was having previous with the shifting issues. Would it be something having to do with either two again?

Also, I'm not sure if this is normal or not, but when I'm doing about 75/80 on my local highway, my RPM's are at about 2800 to 3 grand (and stay steady the entire time I'm doing that speed)...when my car first got fixed with the shifting issue the first time, I don't recall it being that high when I would do that speed, but I could be wrong. Should it be this way?

My check engine light comes on, and when I run codes on it, all that comes up is for the evaporative purge solenoid (which I've known about). I was told that the two issues aren't related but would the evap purge solenoid have something to do with the way my car is shifting?

Please help me with suggestions if you can, or if you've had an issue like this also!!* (even if it's with only one thing). It's been like this for a few months now and it just doesn't seem normal to me, I want to diagnose it if possible so I can get it fixed because no one else, including myself can think of what it might be.

"When I'm driving, the car does shift, but the engine revs and the RPM's seem to go high to about 3700-4000 RPM's before it shifts the first time."

I encountered this same issue with an older Plymouth I had at about 130,000 miles. It was a clogged transmission filter. I know you have a different transmission, but it could be the same thing if the filter has never been changed. It's very inexpensive. I paid $8 for mine and installed it myself. Mine drove like new afterwards.

As for the higher idle speed and rpm's at 75-80, I'd not be overly concerned about that, and it's possible the transmission may be at fault there too. 2800-3000 rpm's at 80 isn't all that high, but it varies and I'm not sure what yours should be. I think my Fusion turns about 2800 at 80, but I'd have to check again to be sure.

I bought a 2003 Dodge Neon SXT in Feb. 08 with a little over 5,000 miles on it. Now I have 24,800 miles on it.

The only issue I have ever had on it was the check engine light, and every time it goes on it's the gas cap.

This car has been a great car and great on gas. I drove from Florida to Virginia, and it only cost me $60 bucks.

Maintaining this car is definitely important, I have had a lot of mechanics tell me that. If you're thinking about buying one, definitely do some research about the specific car you're looking at. If it's from a dealership, make sure it a good dealership that can offer you a great warranty. I bought mine from Carmax and if anything goes wrong with it, I only pay $50 (bumper to bumper). If you are purchasing it privately then make sure you see records of regular oil changes and scheduled maintenance.

Most important, learn your car! Find out what's normal and if something is not, don't ignore it. Every car has its issues!

I wrote a message earlier where I got stuck on the bridge in Tampa.

The earlier post about the trans filter sounds like something I might do.

I am thinking on getting a PCM. If you go to NHSTA.gov or safcar.gov look for something called I think it is a tech note "TSB". I saw a local mechanic and he brought it up on his system "ALLDATA". There are recalls on the PCM "Powertrain Control Module" if this does not work then you will never get a bad code because the car can't diagnose itself.

Dodge said this was not on my car. I've had problems over the years. YES! I do take very good care of my car! The dealers are the ones that said that is how the car runs. I have just passed my 70000 powertrain warranty. I am buying a new car for my wife and I will drive and try fix the dodge.

For the person with the emission solenoid problem. That is where all of mine started. I got a code and the dealer fixed it and ever since. Trans leaked into radiator (car would not get into gear right away, gas pedal felt hard to press when driving). They said they fixed it. A week later it happened again. They changed the radiator and the thermostat because that broke. All this and a year before I visited the dealer and told them something is wrong with the car. I had to fight with them to change the radiator.

Trans fluid is red. When I saw my radiator fluid was red and sticky that is when I knew It was the trans fluid in the radiator.

Anyway they did this and I had the idling problem. I let it go because another Dodge dealer said that is normal. Can't find nothing wrong.

Couple months after driving on the interstate (60mph) check engine light came on and moments from that the car jerked twice and stopped dead still. Lucky I was in the right hand lane and got the car to slide on the side of the bridge. (Could have been deadly)

They changed the transmission. Had to fight with them for that. You shouldn't have to fight that much. They treated us very poorly.

Called Dodge but only got people in India who couldn't understand the problem and could not escalate the call. Just work out of their books, can't help you.

I am sorry I sound bitter but you would be to, and for the one person who posted that the cars are Japanese made. The car is made in Mexico. So it isn't an American car.

Back to the car!

They replaced the trans with a rebuilt one. Now still had the idling problem. I took the car there before and asked them what is this can they fix it. I will pay it I just expect it to be fixed.

I also had to replace the engine mounts because when everything happened they got damaged.

Took the car too AMCO on Kennedy "Nice People" would not touch the trans because it would void powertrain warranty.

Just took it there for them to look at it. again they were very nice. Looked at it for free! Found that there was a leak from one of the trans hoses, told me to take it back to dealer.

Had to fight with the dealer to fix it. If change the trans you would think they would inspect if there is something else wrong.

Well they fixed it after having to argue with the people there.

Since then I've had the idle problem when I stop. Took it to a recommended local guy in Clearwater and he said it must be the PCM because there are so many TSBs on the 03 Dodge Neon SXT. Still under powertrain warranty! Mind you that.

On my way home took it to a Dodge dealer. They said the faulty PCM is on on my car. and the idling is how the car is. Called Dodge again and talked with the Indians who don't care at all.

With the idling I was advised to put in a new IAC "idle air control" cost >$150 (was not going to pay labor, easy DIY part (if your car is idling rough all the time clean this or change it out, check and see if air intake is clean) ). bought it myself and bought cleaner for intake. Cleaned the old IAC and the car did idle better but still dropped at stops. Put the new one... car idled even better but still dropped at stops. Took IAC back and put old one back in (cleaned).

Don't know what to do. have my oil change all the time. had induction service done (air and filters), plugs and wires.

Oh my radiator fluid is red. But was red when they put in the new trans. They said it is red coolant, the type that you don't change for like 100k.

I don't know it looks like trans fluid...

Now I am past warranty, and the car is acting hard to get into gear while driving. Feels just like the time before the trans went bad. Feel like it can go out any day.

I am looking for a PCM and will install it myself, but will change trans filter first.

The reason why I think it is the PCM is when it drops at a stop. if I turn the wheel it idles back good, turn the air on, it good, put in neutral, it good, tap the gas, it good.

All of this send new signals to the engine control PCM . The car does not know how to idle at stops. So the brain must be broken, right? Look up the TSB's on the NHTSA.gov site.

PCM is like $250. But read post about one person changed "Shift solenoid" I think. Haven't looked into that yet, but will.

I know I have been long. I will look back at this post. Let me know if you have this problem and have fixed it. Can't buy new car yet. This will be my car now.

Thanks for reading and hope you find an answer.

I have a 2004 Neon SXT with 103,000 miles on it. The only problem I've had above standard maintenance is that the Cam Shaft Sensor failed. The first occurrence was when I was driving on the highway my car jerked and I had a sudden loss of power. I took it to a service center and it cost $170. In retrospect I could have replaced it myself for $50. If you get under the car it's readily accessible. I think my Neon is one of the easiest cars to work on if you do your own maintenance.

My SXT has been pretty good to me until somehow the line that cools the tranny broke into the cooling system and left me stranded. My check engine light has been on since day two of my purchase as a used car with low mileage on it. I have gotten all types of readings off this including total systems failure, gas cap, etc etc. I now worry when the light goes out. Seems like the gas mileage is not good at all.

I had some battery problems, but it turned out being cable connections... if a cable is loose it can make the whole car go wacky!! Gauges erratic, lights on and off... sputtering of the engine. I recommend getting wires completely changed cuz that green gunk will go right down under the wire covers and short out the lines.

I was shocked when the tranny fluid and the oil mixed... HOW CRAZY is that??? Glad I had an honest repair man - I wonder how many have paid for a new tranny and radiator! I had to just get the radiator.

I've got a '95 Neon Sport. It has 81,700 miles on it. I have replaced the head gasket which blew at 80,000 miles and the previous owner replaced the transmission at 75,000 miles. Other than those problems, my Neon has been fine. It runs smoothly, and has great acceleration for such a small engine. It shifts perfectly and drives fine. It never complains at start-up and it doesn't mind long drives.

I average about 31 MPG. Not great, but not bad for a 14-year old engine. It doesn't burn any oil at all either.

I'm very impressed with it actually, I'm more of a Honda guy myself, but this was much more affordable than a Civic of the same year. Although I do like this car, for my next one, I'm definitely going back to Honda.