2002 DODGE NEON Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

VEHICLE 2002 DODGE NEON 22,351 MILES ON VEHICLE. WHILE MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF GARAGE THE BRAKES FAILED. THREE PIECES OF FRONT DISK BRAKE PADS WERE FOUND LYING ON THE GARAGE FLOOR (STILL IN MY POSSESSION). BOTH FRONT INSIDE DISK PADS APPEARED TO HAVE BROKEN IN HALF. UPON CHECKING THE FRONT BRAKES I FOUND NO PADS IN PLACE ON THE LEFT INSIDE OF THE BRAKE AND ONLY ONE HALF OF THE BRAKE PAD ON THE INSIDE OF THE RIGHT BRAKE WHICH WAS STILL WITH THE VEHICLE, OBVIOUSLY THE REST OF THE PADS WERE ON THE FLOOR OF MY GARAGE. MY WIFE WAS SHAKEN BUT THANKFUL THAT SHE WASN'T DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WHEN THE BRAKE PADS FELL OFF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO JOE CECCONI"S CHRYSLER TO HAVE NEW FRONT BRAKES PUT ON THE VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT THIS WAS EITHER A DEFECT IN THE BRAKE PADS OR A FAULTY ENGINEERING DESIGN AND BECAUSE OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE CONSEQUENCES THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED I FELT THAT THIS INCIDENT SHOULD BE REPORTED. I'M ALSO SENDING A LETTER TO CHRYSLER IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER. *JB

Mileage: 22,351

2002 DODGE NEON CALIPERS ARE TILTED ON TOP OF THE ROTOR CAUSING WEAR. MECHANIC REPLACED ROTORS. *KB THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING DRIVEN ENOUGH.*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE FRONT ROTORS WERE COMPLETELY WORN. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS.

Mileage: 27,432

BRAKE ROTORS,CALIPERS. *NM

Mileage: 26,000

BRAKE ROTORS,CALIPERS. *NM

Mileage: 26,000

I OWN A 2002 DODGE NEON. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES INSPECTED SEVERAL TIMES, THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WENT BAD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND THERE IS STILL A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. EVEN THOUGH THERE IS AMPLE FLUID AND WEAR LEFT ON THE PADS, MY BRAKES MAKE A HORRENDOUS METALLIC SQUEAL WHEN THERE IS MOISTURE IN THE AIR. NOT ONLY IS THIS EMBARASSING, BUT HOW IN THE WORLD AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS NOISE AND THE CLASSIC SYMPTOMS OF BRAKES THAT TRULY DO NEED REPLACED. ARE THERE RECALLS ON THIS MODEL OF CAR FOR THIS REASON? I AM READY TO TRADE IT IN AT A LOSS JUST TO BE DONE WITH IT. WESTGATE AUTO IN PLAINFIELD IS NO HELP. I HAVE HAD BETTER SERVICE AT MY NEARBY MIDAS SHOP. I LIKE THE CAR, BUT THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THREE PEOPLE I WORK WITH HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR NEON, NO MATTER THE YEAR.*AK

THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES ON THE 2002 DODGE NEON SEEM TO HAVE MANY PROBLEMS AND I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. THE FRONT BRAKES (PADS AND ROTORS) HAD TO BE REPLACED AT AROUND 7000 MILES DUE TO WARPED ROTORS CAUSING SEVERE SHAKING OF THE VEHICLE DURING BRAKING. NOW AGAIN AT 17000 MILES THE VEHICLE EXIBITS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKES HAVE HAD A SEVERE SQUEAL SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED - IT WAS IN THREE SEPERATE TIMES FOR THIS. WE WERE TOLD THIS IS A NORMAL PROBLEM THAT ALL NEONS HAVE. THE FIRST TWO TIMES IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THEY CLEANED THE BREAKS AND SAID THEY WERE FINE. THE THIRD TIME WE WERE TOLD THE REAR SHOES WERE NO GOOD AND THE REAR DRUMS WERE RUINED AND NEEDED REPLACED. (AT 16500 OR SO MILES) I CALLED THE DODGE CORPORATION AND AFTER MANY CALLS THEY OFFERED THE PARTS ON THE REAR FREE BUT WE HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW AND I FEEL THE BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDS IMPROVED TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPINING. THE VHEICLE IS A 2002 DODGE NEON SXT DRIVEN VERY LITTLE BY MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, A VERY EASY PERSON ON THE CAR SO THERE IS NO EXCESSIVE DRIVING BY ANY MEANS THAT WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PROBLEM. REAR DRUMS SHOULD ALMOST NEVER NEED REPLACED, THEY SEEM TO LAST FOREVER ON MOST VEHICLES AND ROTORS DO WARP SOMETIMES BUT NOT TWO SETS IN 17000 MILES. I HAVE SEEN MANY NEONS EXIBIT THE REAR SQUEALING PROBLEM ON THE ROADS SO I KNOW THIS IS NOT JUST THIS CAR AND I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO LOOK INTO THIS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. BEN HODGES. *AK

CONTINUAL BRAKE PROBLEMS. HAVE HAD CAR IN SHOP 3 TIMES SINCE SEPT. OF 2003 FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS. EVEN AFTER MY DAUGHTER TOOK THE VECHICLE TO THE SHOP, THE BRAKES STILL MADE HIGH PITCHED NOISE WHEN STOPPING. JUST HAD CAR INSPECTED IN MARCH...PASSED NYS INSPECTION WITH FLYING COLORS...LESS THAN 2 MONTHS LATER, CAR SERIOUSLY VIBRATED BRAKING ON CURVES AND DOWNHILL ON A RECENT DAY TRIP, AND ALMOST WENT OUT OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH BELOW SPEED LIMIT IN THE MOUNTAINS. CAR PASSED NYS INSPECTION LATE MARCH 2001. CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS: AUGUST 2003 AT 29000 MILES, FEB. 2004 AT APPROX. 40,000 MILESS, AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE FIXED AGAIN NOW. EVEN AFTER BRAKES ARE FIXED THEY STILL HAVE SOME MOVEMENT, AND MAKE A HIGH PITCHED SOUND WHEN STOPPING. *AK

Mileage: 49,800

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS VIBRATION. ALSO, VEHICLE ROCKED BACK AND FORTH. UPON ENGAGING THE BRAKE THE SHIMMING BECAME IRRATIC. VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. VEHICLE HAD 35000 MILES ON IT, AND HAS BEEN TAKEN IN FIVE TIMES TO DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

THE SCREW ON THE REAR OF THE RADIATOR BLEW OUT AND DAMAGED THE RADIATOR'S HOSES. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK MADE A LOUD NOISE, AND THE BRAKES SQUEAKED WHEN ENGAGED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING A 2002 NEON, EITHER THE TRANSMISSION/BRAKES LOCKED UP ON THE CAR, STOPPING ABRUBTLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING ON INTERSTATE 400 IN ATLANTA, GA. DUE TO THE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE AUTO, MY DAUGHTER'S AUTO WAS THEN REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER CAR. BOTH AUTOS WERE TOTALLLED, NEITHER DRIVER WAS CHARGED WITH THE ACCIDENT, BUT SHE WAS WRITTEN UP "MECHANICAL FAILURE" ON THE ACCIDENT REPORT. I BELIEVE THAT THE NEON AUTO ITSELF WAS AT FAULT/DEFECTIVE. I HAVE ANOTHER 2002 NEON WHICH JUST HAD TO BE REPAIRED AUGUST 1-8TH, 2003 FOR THE "TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP AND SHUTTING DOWN" AND HAD TO HAVE THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED. I LOCATED A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM CHRYSLER ON THE INTERNET WHICH DESCRIBED THIS CONDITION THAT WAS OCCURING IN THE 2001-2002 NEONS. I BELIEVE CHRYSLER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO THIS ACCIDENT. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM, BUT THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT IT WILL TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 3-5 MONTHS TO EVEN INVESTIGATE AND REACH ANY CONCLUSION.*AK

Mileage: 38,000

WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE AND DOWN SHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR TO STOP. *AK

Mileage: 38,000

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THE BRAKES WILL LOCK UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

THE BRAKES AND ROTORS FAILED AT 9000 MILES, THE DEALER REPLACED THEM, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB

Mileage: 9,000

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE JERKS AND PEDAL ALMOST GOES TO THE FLOOR. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. TS

TRANSMISSION SLIPS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, AIR CONDITION DOES NOT GET VERY COLD, 15 MILES PER GALLON, STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO VIBRATE AFTER 45MPH, FRONT AND BACK BRAKES SQUEAK, MINOR LEAK UNDER DRIVER SIDE DASH BOARD, CAR STARTS TO VIBRATE HARSHLY IN A DRIVE IDLE AT A RED LIGHT, CAR STALLS WHILE SITTING IN PARK, CAR STALLS WHILE GOING IN REVERSE ON A VERY SLIGHT INCLINE, AND WHEN EVER I PUT DOWN MY WINDOWS, OPEN MY SUN ROOF OR EVER HAVE THE AIR CONDITION ON, YOU CAN FEEL AND HEAR THE CAR JUST LOSE POWER WHEN I DO ONE OF THOSE THINGS DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO GO TO A DIFFERENT GAS STATION, TO SOLVE MY GAS PROBLEM, COME ON 15MPG THATS A CAR DEFECT, ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS THEY TOLD ME THEIR COMPUTER DID NOT DETECT ANYTHING AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT AND THEY COULDNT DO NOTHING. CALLED CHRYSLER HEAD QUARTERS, I MIGHT AS WELL HAVE CALLED MY NEIGHBOR TO GET HELP. CHRYSLER HEAD QUARTERS CALLED DEALERSHIP UP AND TOLD THEM TO HOOK UP A CO-PILOT TO MONITOR MY CAR FOR A FEW WEEKS. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THAT THEIR'S DID NOT WORK ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER DODGE DEALERSHIPS. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE OR CHRYSLER CAR AGAIN.. BECAUSE OF ALL THESE PROBLEMS I AM STUCK PAYING 400 BUCKS A MONTH WITH A 20% INTEREST RATE ON A LEMON CAR...NEONS NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. NOW I AM SELLING THE CAR FOR A LOSE BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT FIX OR MAKE A CAR THE RIGHT WAY. *AK

TRANSMISSION SLIPS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, AIR CONDITION DOES NOT GET VERY COLD, 15 MILES PER GALLON, STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO VIBRATE AFTER 45MPH, FRONT AND BACK BRAKES SQUEAK, MINOR LEAK UNDER DRIVER SIDE DASH BOARD, CAR STARTS TO VIBRATE HARSHLY IN A DRIVE IDLE AT A RED LIGHT, CAR STALLS WHILE SITTING IN PARK, CAR STALLS WHILE GOING IN REVERSE ON A VERY SLIGHT INCLINE, AND WHEN EVER I PUT DOWN MY WINDOWS, OPEN MY SUN ROOF OR EVER HAVE THE AIR CONDITION ON, YOU CAN FEEL AND HEAR THE CAR JUST LOSE POWER WHEN I DO ONE OF THOSE THINGS DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO GO TO A DIFFERENT GAS STATION, TO SOLVE MY GAS PROBLEM, COME ON 15MPG THATS A CAR DEFECT, ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS THEY TOLD ME THEIR COMPUTER DID NOT DETECT ANYTHING AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT AND THEY COULDNT DO NOTHING. CALLED CHRYSLER HEAD QUARTERS, I MIGHT AS WELL HAVE CALLED MY NEIGHBOR TO GET HELP. CHRYSLER HEAD QUARTERS CALLED DEALERSHIP UP AND TOLD THEM TO HOOK UP A CO-PILOT TO MONITOR MY CAR FOR A FEW WEEKS. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THAT THEIR'S DID NOT WORK ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER DODGE DEALERSHIPS. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE OR CHRYSLER CAR AGAIN.. BECAUSE OF ALL THESE PROBLEMS I AM STUCK PAYING 400 BUCKS A MONTH WITH A 20% INTEREST RATE ON A LEMON CAR...NEONS NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. NOW I AM SELLING THE CAR FOR A LOSE BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT FIX OR MAKE A CAR THE RIGHT WAY. *AK

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TO SLOWDOWN THEY WOULD FAIL TO CATCH PROPERLY. THIS CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. FOR THE BRAKES TO CATCH, SOMETIMES, WOULD NEED TO PUMP BRAKE PEDAL. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. *AK

DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A FOURTY-FIVE MILE PER HOUR FRONT END COLLISION. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK DURING THE ACCIDENT THE CONSUMER TRIED TO STOP WITH BRAKES BUT HIS TIRES LOCKED UP.