2000 DODGE NEON Structure Problems

I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A ENTER SECTION AND I HIT A SLIGHT BUMP AND IT BROKE MY SUB FRAME. WHEN I WENT TO LOOK AT IT THE WHOLE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT. *TR

Mileage: 283,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME BECAME RUSTED COMPLETELY. THE MIDDLE OF THE FRAME AND EACH WHEEL WHERE THE CONTROL ARM WAS LOCATED WAS ALSO RUSTED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO REPAIR AVAILABLE FOR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS OVER THE 10 YEAR STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. KMJ *TR

Mileage: 110,000

SUB FRAME RUSTED OUT. CHRYSLER REFUSED TO HELP. *TR

MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 2000 DODGE NEON AND THE SUB FRAME BROKE AND I LOOK UNDER THE CAR THE HOLE FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT HE CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX THE CAR WHERE GLAD THAT HE WAS NOT ON THE FREE WAY WHEN IT HAPPEN IS THERE A RECALL WHERE HE CAN GET THIS FIX I BEEN LOOKING AT NEONS AND THEY ALL SEE TO BE RUSTED OUT BY LOOKING AT THE BODY YOU WOULD THINK THE SUB FRAME WOULD NOT BE LIKE THAT. *TR

Mileage: 137,000

AS WITH A MULTITUDE OF OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE, WHENEVER THERE IS A RAIN (HEAVY OR LIGHT), WATER LEAKS INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR (MOST LIKELY THROUGH THE TRUNK, POSSIBLY AROUND THE TAILLIGHT OR ANOTHER HARD TO DIAGNOSE AREA). THE WATER WILL FILL UP THE SPARE TIRE WELL AND POOL THERE, THEN MOVE UNDER THE BACK SEATS AND THE BACK SEAT FLOORS WHERE AGAIN THE WATER POOLS AND SOAKS INTO THE LINING/CUSHIONS/INTERIOR. ALL OF THIS WATER CAUSES BOTH STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE BODY OF THE CAR (RUST AND OTHER ISSUES), PRODUCES MILDEW AND MOLD IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE (A POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARD), AND CREATES HIGHLY HUMID AND MOIST ENVIRONMENT INSIDE THE CAR. THE LEAK AND WATER HAVE ALSO AFFECTED THE REVERSE/BACKUP LIGHTING (ANOTHER HAZARD) AND RUSTED PARTS OF THE SPARE TIRE WELL. IN ADDITION THE HIGH HUMIDITY RESULTS IN INTERIOR WINDOWS BEING NOT JUST FOGGED BUT HAVING A WORRISOME AMOUNT OF CONDENSATION THAT MUST BE REMOVED BEFORE DRIVING SAFELY. NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO "SEAL" THE LEAK IN THE TRUNK TO NO AVAIL. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH FOR THIS PROBLEMS REVEALS HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE OF THE LEAK. DODGE HAS NEVER ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE WITH CONSUMERS. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

I WAS HEARING A CLUNK UNDER MY CAR. TOOK IT TO GOODYEAR. THEY SAID IT WAS A RUSTED SUBFRAME. NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED TO THE TUNE OF 1000 DOLLARS. THEY SAID NOTHING ELSE LOOKED RUSTED. HMMMM ODD. *TR

Mileage: 93,000

I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS SUB-FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. HAS THERE BEEN A RE-CALL ON THE 2000 DODGE NEON? *TR

SEVERE CORROSION CAUSED A WEAKNESS IN THE SUSPENSION CRADLE/ ENGINE CRADLE THAT RESULTED IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM TO BREAK AWAY FROM ITS MOUNTING TO THE SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER/ CRADLE. THE CONTROL ARM AND ALL ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS SEEMED TO BE IN ACCEPTABLE CONDITION AND DID NOT EXHIBIT ANY FAILURES. THE FAILURE WAS SEVERE ENOUGH THAT THE DRIVE AXLE WAS PULLED OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY UNDRIVEABLE. I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY TO HAVE HAD THE FAILURE AT A VERY LOW SPEED WHILE TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY. THE SAME FAILURE AT POSTED SPEED (45MPH AT THE TIME) WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL AND LIKELY SEVERE CRASH. *TR

Mileage: 172,000

TURNED INTO PARKING LOT WHEN CAR SUDDENLY MADE HORRIBLE BANGING-TYPE NOISE AND SUDDENLY STOPPED. BLACK SMOKE POURED OUT OF FRONT OF CAR AND CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. WHEN MECHANIC EXAMINED VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE. THE AXLE BROKE, CONTROL ARM DROPPED AND EVERYTHING INSIDE THE FRONT OF THE CAR (I.E. ENGINE, ETC.) CRASHED TO THE GROUND! MECHANIC SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 2000 NEON. IT WAS ADVISED, DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CAR, THAT IT WAS NOT WORTH FIXING. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

THE FRAME, FRONT CROSS MEMBER, RUSTED AND FAILED ON 2000 DODGE NEON. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A REPAIR FOR THIS FAILURE. I AM UNAWARE OF ANY RECALL BUT THERE SHOULD BE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE ANY LONGER. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR

MOTOR MOUNTS TO A DOGE NEON HAS BEEN WEARING OUT EVERY TWO YEARS. THEY SHOULD LAST THE USE OF THE CAR I>E 30 YRS. HAS CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO COLLAPSE. CAUSING THE CAR TO BE A DANGER TO THE PERSON DRIVING AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WALKING IN THE WAY OF A CAR THATCANNOT STOP. *CN

Mileage: 90,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAME TO A COMPLETE AND ABRUPT STOP, HE ALSO NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GAS STATION WHERE A MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE K-FRAME HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,800 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,280.

Mileage: 42,280

I BOUGHT A USED CAR FROM JD BYRIDER OF READING PA ,I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS SAFETY INSPECTED AND THE STICKERS ARE ON VEHICLE, COME TO FIND OUT FROM MY OWN MECHANIC THE CAR WAS NOT SAFETY INSPECTED PROPER BECAUSE THERE WAS ALOT OF THINGS FOUND DEFECTIVE ON IT LIKE ROTORS WERE WARPED BRAKE PAD FELL APART DRUMS NO GOOD BROKEN BOLTS TO OIL PAN AND REAR MAIN SEAL BROKE CAR VIBRATES WHEN AT A RIGHT LIGHT AND WHO EVER DID THE INSPECTION DIDN'T DO IT THE WAY HE WAS SUPPOSED TO WHICH I THINK WOULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR

WATER LEAKING INTO THE TRUNK AREA AND THE FLOOR BOARDS OF THE REAR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSING MILDEW, RUST AND DAMAGE TO STORED PROPERTY INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *JB

Mileage: 100,000

AS MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED, WHENEVER THERE IS A HEAVY RAINFALL THE FLOORS IN THE REAR OF THE CAR FILL WITH WATER. IT IS SO BAD THAT NOW IT FILTERS OVER INTO THE FRONT SEATS. I HAVE BEEN HAIVNG THIS PROBLEMS FOR A FEW YEARS BUT WAS UNAWARE THAT THERE WERE OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. DEALERS AND AUTO MECHANICS HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN FINDING THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER WAS VERY RUSTY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHO AGREED, BUT THERE WAS NO CLEAR DETERMINATION OF HOW TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SEEN BY THE SERVICE DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE. UPDATED 5/31/2006 - *NM

Mileage: 30,000

MAKE: DODGE MODEL: NEON TYPE: PASSENGER CAR YEAR: 2000 SUMMARY: AS NOTED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS, WITH ANY HEAVY RAINFALL, THE FLOOR IN THE BACK SEATS FILLS WITH WATER (UP TO AN INCH OR MORE). APPEARS TO BE ENTERING THROUGH THE TRUNK AREA, AS THE SPARE TIRE WELL ALSO FILLS WITH WATER. USING SPONGES AND A SHOPVAC TO SOAK UP THE WATER AND THEN LEAVING WINDOWS OPEN TO DRY IT OUT IS MY ONLY REMEDY TO THE MOISTURE AND ODOR. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2001. THE DEALER IS OF NO HELP BECAUSE (MERCIFULLY FOR OTHERS) THAT DEAL WENT BANKRUPT A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. I HAVE A LITANY OF OTHER CONCERNS WITH THE 2000 NEON. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE (CHRYSLER REFUSED TO HONOR WARRANTY - PARTLY A PROBLEM WITH RECORDS AS THE DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE/INITIAL MAINTENANCE HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS), EACH TIME I START THE CAR, THE FUSE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, THOUGH ALL FUSES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND LOOK OK. AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS HAS FAILED AND AS A RESULT I HAVE NO FUNCTIONING INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS OR EXTERIOR BACKUP LIGHTS. REPEATED EFFORTS BY SEVERAL REPAIR FACILITIES TO LOCATE THE CORRECT HARNESS HAVE FAILED. VEHICLE HAS UNDER 72,000 MILES OF RELATIVELY EASY CITY DRIVING (COMMUTE TO WORKPLACE) OR DIVIDED HIGHWAY DRIVING), YET MOST FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM COMPONENTS HAVE FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED (ALL STRUTS, SWAY BARS, ETC). TRANSMISSION FLUID HOSE OR CONNECTOR FAILED ON FEB 19, 2006, RESULTING IN SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF FLUID. *NM

DT: WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND FIRST STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT ON THE OUTSIDE LANE THE GREEN LIGHT CAME ON ,AND THE CAR WAS IN FIRST GEAR. WHEN TRYING TO PLACE CAR IN SECOND GEAR CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT AND FELT THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE GEARS. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD TO THE NEAREST TURNOFF LANE. A POLICE OFFICER FOLLOWED CONSUMER AS TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER, AND THE DEALER SAID THE CROSSOVER CABLE BROKE. NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. CONSUMER HAD THIS REPAIRED AND HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE REPAIR. *AK THE BATTERIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. THE GASKET WERE REPLACED BECAUSE WATER WAS GETTING INSIDE THE CAR DURING RAINSTORM. THE RIGHT FRONT MOTOR MOUNT CRACKED. *NM

Mileage: 44,819

DT: THE FRONT PART OF THE SUBFRAME ON CALLER'S VEHICLE RUSTED. THE RUST WAS FALLING OFF THE VEHICLE IN BIG PIECES. DEALER SAID TO CALL MANUFACTURER. ON THE OTHER HAND, MANUFACTURER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. CALLER SAID THE VEHICLE WAS A CHRYSLER NEON. DIDGE DID NOT APPEAR ON THE VEHICLE. *AK

Mileage: 131,000

WHENEVER IT RAINS, I HAVE A LOT OF WATER ON THE BACK FLOORBOARDS AND TRUNK. SOMETIMES IT'S ABOUT AN INCH OR TWO HIGH. WE'VE TRIED NUMEROUS WAYS TO CONTROL IT OR EVEN TO GET IT DRY SO THAT IT WOULD NOT MILDEW. IT DOES NOT WORK AND IT SMELLS REALLY BAD NOW. IT SEEMS TO BE A FACTORY PROBLEM AND WILL TRY TO GET DEALER TO FIX. SEEMS LIKE MANY PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL DOING THAT BUT MORE COMPLAINS FROM PEOPLE SOMEDAY MAY HELP. *NM

THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO A MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE CHECK. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE FRAME THAT HOLDS THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE IS BREAKING DOWN. *MR

Mileage: 42,000

BOUGHT CAR FROM FATHER IN LAW, HE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. HE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH IT.SOON AFTER I BOUGHT FROM HIM IN 2000(IT WAS STILL NEW!),POWER WINDOWS QUIT WORKING THEN STARTED WORKING AGAIN.CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT, STILL DONT WORK. FRONT END CRASH 2003 MAY, 4783.45 IN DAMAGE, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT 40MPH !!! I HAD CAR REPAIRED BY NON CHRYSLER GARAGE AS PER ADVICE OF ERIE INSURANCE CO. ERIE WONT COVER BECAUSE THEY SAY ITS CHRYSLER'S PROBLEM, CHRYSLER SAYS ITS MY PROBLEM BECAUSE WORK WAS DONE AT NON DAIMLER CHRYSLER GARAGE AND THEY WERE RUDE AND HUNG UP ON ME! ERIE TOLD ME TO HAVE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK DONE ON IT BECUZ IN AUG 03 THE AIR BAG LITE STARTED TO COME ON AND HORN WONT WORK. I HAD THE CHECK DONE AND THEY SAID CLOCKSPRING NEEDS REPLACED. NOT ERIE OR CHRYSLER WILL FIX.

Mileage: 44,000

WATER COMES IN THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK DURING HEAVY RAINS WATER ENTERS THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. WATER HAS DAMAGED FAN BLOWER, DASHBOARD, CARPET, SEATS, HOOD AND PANELS. DUE TO WATER DAMAGE MOLD IS FORMING ON THE VEHICLE CARPET.*MR

Mileage: 44,000

BRAKES SQUEAK USUALLY IN THE MORNING, DEALER MENTIONED SURFACE RUST ON DRUMS AND ROTORS, ADVISED TO SET PARKING BRAKE EACH EVENING. RIGHT REAR DOOR LEAKS. *NLM

THERE IS A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. *JG THERE WAS ALSO A GRINDING NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS, THE LEFT FRONT AXLE HAD MADE A GRINDING NOISE, AND THE VEHICLE LEAKED WHEN IT HAD RAINED. *SCC

Mileage: 12,000

THE VEHICLE LEAKS IN THE RAIN PRODUCING A MOLDY SMELL. *JG

CONSUMER STATES WHENEVER IT RAINS WATER FLOWS THROUGH TRUNK AND ENTERS CABIN AND FLOODS VEHICLE'S FLOODBOARD. MR

CONSUMER STATED WATER LEAKS INTO TRUNK, WHICH IN RETURN MAKES PUDDLES OF WATER ON FLOORBOARD ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK. *SLC

VEHICLE WAS IN A ACCIDENT, RIGHT PASSENGER'S SIDE AND RIGHT SIDE WERE AFFECTED. IN ORDER FOR VEHICLE TO LINE UP VEHICLE HAD TO REMODELED. BUMPER WAS NOT PUT ON PROPERLY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

THERE IS A SQUEAKING NOISE PRESENT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. DEALER SAYS IT'S DUE TO BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS.*AK HORN IS OUT. THE VEHICLE RUN HARD AND IS LOUD. THE FRONT END IS LOW WHEN COMING OUT ON INTO A DRIVEWAY. *YH

THE TRUNK DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. NLM

KEY TO THE DOOR LOCK AND TRUCK SOMETIMES WON'T OPEN. WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. IT STARTED IN SUMMER. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB THROUGH HATCH TO UNLOCK DOORS. DEALER FIXED PROBLEM . *AK

I FEEL THIS CAR HAS A DESIGN PROBLEM. IT IS TOO LOW IN THE FRONT AND TOO HIGH IN THE REAR. THE DRIVER CANNOT SEE THE HOOD OR TRUNK. YOU MUST DRIVE BY INSTINCT INSTEAD OF SIGHT. (UNSAFE CONDITION) THERE IS ONLY 6 INCHES OF CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE ROAD AND A FRAME BEHIND THE FRONT BUMPER. IT HITS BUMPER TYPE CURBS IN PARKING LOTS AND ANY HIGH SPOTS ON THE ROAD.. AND IF YOU ARE ON A ROAD UNDER A PAVING JOB( THERE ARE MANY IN MY AREA) AND HIT A SEWER STICKING UP THERE WOULD BE MAJOR DAMAGE OR POSSIBLY THE CAR WOULD POLE VAULT ON TO ITS ROOF IT ALMOST HAPPENED TO ME. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER AND CHRYSLER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NORMAL AND IT JUST TAKES GETTING USED TO. MAYBE SO BUT MY WIFE FEELS IT IS A VERY UNSAFE CAR AND SHE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. WHO EVER THE LADY WAS THAT CALLED ME FROM CHRYSLER SAID SHE HAD THE SAME CAR AND THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE WHEN BACKING UP AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE THE HOOD WHEN GOING FORWARD. I FEEL THIS IS AN UNSAFE AUTOMOBILE.

WHEN PLACING FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL FOOT WILL GET STUCK ON THE PEDAL BECAUSE OF THE MIDDLE CONSOLE WHICH HOLDS THE FOOT ON THE SIDE.*AK