2003 DODGE NEON Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

UPON WARMING THE CAR BEFORE DRIVING TO WORK WINDOWS STEAMED UP BADLY I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE OF COLD TEMP OUTSIDE. THIS HAPPENED THROUGHOUT THE WINTER. ALWAYS HAVING A SWEET TASTE IN MY MOUTH TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT THERE SAID THE HEATER CORE WAS LEAKING WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE IT. I CALLED THE LOCAL PARTS STORE AND GOT A PRICE ON IT 60.00 DOLLARS I THOUGHT THIS PRICE WAS OK .THE PARTS HOUSE SAID GOOD LUCK I ASKED WHY HE WAS SMILING WHEN HE SAID THAT .HE SAID THAT WAS AN 800.00 DOLLAR JOB BY THE DEALER. HE WAS SO RIGHT!! THE SOB WHO DESIGNED THAT SHOULD BEEN MADE TO CHANGE IT IN EVERY CAR THAT THE CORE WET BAD IN I HAVE OWNED 96 1500 97 1500 99 1500 AND NOW 2003 EVERY ONE HEATER CORE LEAKS .WENT ON LINE TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAD THIS PROBLEM HUNDREDS. PEOPLE ARE BREATHING ANTIFREEZE VAPOR. HELP!!!! *TR

Mileage: 110,000

ENGINE BLOWING DUE TO RINGS DETERIORATING BEFORE REACHING 100,000 MILES. COMPRESSION LOW, CAR SHAKES, CLOSE TO STALLING OUT. HARDER TO START. ONLY WAY TO FIX IS BY REPLACING ENGINE. HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF REFERENCES TO THIS ON MANY DODGE FORUMS AND OTHER SITES. DOES NOT JUST INCLUDE THE 03 NEON SXT, ALSO SE, SRT, INTREPID, AND ONE OF THE CHRYSLER MODELS. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

NO PRIOR INCIDENTS. DRIVING ALONG, TRANSMISSION SLIPS. I LET OFF GAS, SEEMS TO RE-ENGAGE, PRESS ON GAS AGAIN, SLIPS AGAIN. PULLED OVER AFTER ABOUT 200 YDS, TRIED REVERSE - NO MOVEMENT. TRAIL OF TRANSMISSION FLUID BEHIND ME, PUDDLE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE GROUND. TAKE TO SHOP - TOLD RADIATOR IS RUINED, AND COOLANT HAD CIRCULATED THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION. MECHANIC HASN'T SEEN THIS BEFORE, YET IS OBVIOUSLY A COMMON COMPLAINT HERE ON NHTSA. LINES RUNNING THROUGH RADIATOR TO COOL TRANS. FLUID ARE PLASTIC - DOOMED FOR FAILURE. I SEE A PATTERN HERE, ANYONE ELSE? *TR

Mileage: 98,800

NO PREVIOUS INCIDENTS WITH TRANSMISSION OR RADIATOR, FLUIDS BOTH FINE LAST TIME CAR DRIVEN, DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, APPROXIMATELY FOUR MILES FROM HOME, ENGINE BEGAN TO REV, APPEARED TO HAVE TROUBLE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BETWEEN GEARS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CHECKED AT LOCATION, RADIATOR EMPTY, TRANSMISSION FLUID LOW, CHECKED 30 MIN LATER, TRANSMISSION FLUID EMPTY, REFILLED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND LEAKED FROM RADIATOR- RADIATOR RUPTURE, UNSURE IF DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION FROM RADIATOR RUPTURE AT THIS TIME. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

I AM THE 2ND HAND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN IN POSSESSION OF IT FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND 1/2 HAVE METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED IT AND IT HAS 55,000 MILE ON IT. RECENTLY THE TRANSMISSION BECAME RATHER JUMPY AND IT WAS TO GO INTO SERVICE BUT THE DAY BEFORE I WAS TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT IT WAS MORE JUMPY THAN USUAL AND I SMELT TRANS. FLUID THROUGH MY AIR VENTS. CHECKED TRANS. FLUID AND FOUND NOTHING ON THE STICK, SHUT IF OFF, LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF PINK FLUID UNDER ON THE GROUND. LOOKED AT THE LITTLE BIT OF FLUID THAT WAS THE TRANS STICK AND IT WAS THE SAME COLOR. LOOKED IN THE COOLANT, SAME FLUID AS ON THE STICK AND THE GROUND. MY RADIATOR HAD GIVEN OUT MIXING MY COOLANT WITH TRANS. FLUID. THIS LEFT ME TO PAY $974 OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE CHRYSLER WOULD NOT HELP PAY FOR THIS COMMON PROBLEM. CAR IS UNDER A 7/70K POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. RADIATOR IS NOT COVERED. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

CAR HAD A PROBLEM WITH A FUEL SENSOR, WE HAD IT REPLACED. COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER A FUEL CAM WENT OUT. WE HAD IT REPLACED. WE TOOK THE CAR HOME AND NEXT MORNING IT HAD OIL ALL OVER THE PLACE. TOWED IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T WORK ON THAT SIDE OF THE CAR. THEY STATED I HAD A MAJOR HEAD CASKET PROBLEM. IT STARTED OUT AT $800, THEN THEY KEPT FINDING MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAD. THE GROMMETS NEEDED REPLACED AND A LOT MORE PARTS. FINALLY THEY STATED THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE HEAD. IT STARTED AT $800 THEN WENT TO $1100 THEN $1800 THEN $2100. BY THE TIME THEY WHERE DONE IT WAS UP TO $2,600. THEY GAVE ME A TECHNICAL BULLETIN STATING THAT CHRYSLER KNEW ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS AND WON'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THESE VEHICLES ARE KNOW TO BE THROW AWAY CARS BUILT TO REPLACE OVER AND OVER. WISH I HAD KNOWN BEFORE I BROUGHT IT. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE RATTLES HARD ENOUGH TO MAKE THE VEHICLE STALL. IT HAS STALLED FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER REPAIRED TRANSMISSION BUT THE VEHICLE STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLES BEEN TO THE SHOP ON SIX OCCASIONS FOR THIS ISSUE.

Mileage: 34,900

THE SPARK PLUG HAS REPEATEDLY FLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE, IT HAS BEEN FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES. THERE WAS A SLEEVE PUT IN TO KEEP IT IN PLACE ONE TIME, ANOTHER TIME THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS REPLACED, THE FINAL TIME I'M BEING TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE. I ALSO HAD TO GET THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED ONCE. I'VE HAD TO TRACK DOWN ANYONE TO SPEAK TO AT THE DEALERS, AND HAVE GOTTEN CONFLICTING ANSWERS ANY TIME I'VE SPOKEN TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE. *NM

Mileage: 55,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION SPEED SENSOR SHORTED AND CAUSED THE COMPUTER TO SHORT OUT. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE IT WAS THEN TOWED TO A CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP. THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE WERE REPLACED AS A RESULT OF THE DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE SENSOR. *AK

Mileage: 66,928

I HAVE A 2003 DODGE NEON THAT I HAVE TOOK BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 5 OR MORE TIMES WITH THE EMMISION LIGHT COMING ON AND IT STILL IS DOING IT.

Mileage: 10,000

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

EVERY 2000 MILES THE CONSUMER HAS TO PUT 2 QUARTS OF OIL IN VEHICLE. THE SPARK PLUG WENT BAD IN THE ENGINE. THE BRAKES SQUEALED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD COME TO A STOP. *BF *SC *JB

NEON HAD TO HAVE THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE WITHIN THE TOTAL MILAGE OF 20,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS DELIVERED WITH A DEFECTIVE BATTERY TEMPERATURE SENSOR, AND 1 MONTH BEFORE THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE IT WAS IN THE SHOP AND THE MECHANIC FAILED TO REPLACE THE BATTERY TIEDOWN BAR. ON AUGUST 26, 2004 THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE THE IGNITION WAS OFF AND WAS DRIVEN FOR ONLY 5 MILES. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A BAD PASSANGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE. MANY PASSANGERS COMPLAINED OF IT BEING DIFFICULT TO INSERT THE BELT INTO THE LOCKING MECHANISM.*AK

Mileage: 21,000

NEON HAD TO HAVE THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE WITHIN THE TOTAL MILAGE OF 20,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS DELIVERED WITH A DEFECTIVE BATTERY TEMPERATURE SENSOR, AND 1 MONTH BEFORE THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE IT WAS IN THE SHOP AND THE MECHANIC FAILED TO REPLACE THE BATTERY TIEDOWN BAR. ON AUGUST 26, 2004 THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE THE IGNITION WAS OFF AND WAS DRIVEN FOR ONLY 5 MILES. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A BAD PASSANGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE. MANY PASSANGERS COMPLAINED OF IT BEING DIFFICULT TO INSERT THE BELT INTO THE LOCKING MECHANISM.*AK

Mileage: 21,000

PROBLEMS WITH STARTING UP VEHICLE.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ABOUT THE STARTING PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED ERRATIC IDLING. THE DEALER FOUND A LARGE VACUUM LEAK WHICH CAUSED THE HIGH IDLE. *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED AND CONSUMER COULDN'T GET AN ACCURATE READING OF THE VEHICLE'S SPEED. *PH THE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE SPEEDOMETER NUMEROUS TIMES, ONCE BY REPLACING THE INTERNAL CLUSTER. THERE WAS A SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THE NOISE WAS FIXED BY BLOCKING THE AIR INTAKE ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES ON THE FREEWAY, HOWEVER THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE HEAT SHIELD. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CONSUMED A LOT OF FUEL, THERE WAS A RATTLE FROM THE EXHAUST AND THE ENGINE HAD AN OIL LEAK, SUBSEQUENTLY THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY THE CONSUMER'S CONCERNS. *JB

Mileage: 1,065

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED AND CONSUMER COULDN'T GET AN ACCURATE READING OF THE VEHICLE'S SPEED. *PH THE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE SPEEDOMETER NUMEROUS TIMES, ONCE BY REPLACING THE INTERNAL CLUSTER. THERE WAS A SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THE NOISE WAS FIXED BY BLOCKING THE AIR INTAKE ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES ON THE FREEWAY, HOWEVER THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE HEAT SHIELD. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CONSUMED A LOT OF FUEL, THERE WAS A RATTLE FROM THE EXHAUST AND THE ENGINE HAD AN OIL LEAK, SUBSEQUENTLY THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY THE CONSUMER'S CONCERNS. *JB

Mileage: 1,065

I WAS IN A SMALL COLLISION AT THE SPEED OF 10 MPH OR LESS. I REAR ENDED A FORD F150 TRUCK BECAUSE MY BRAKES SKIDED ON THE ROAD, MY 2003 NEON FISHTAILED, AND I HIT THE BUMPER OF THE TRUCK. MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT WAS SMASHED, AND MY RADIATOR WAS ALSO BROKEN. AFTER 3 MINUTES MY ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND MY ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FIRE WITHIN 5 MINUTES AFTER THE COLLISION. MY AIRBAG ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT GO OFF, I DIDN'T HIT THE TRUCK AT A HIGHSPEED, YET MY CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES. EVERYTHING IN THE CAR WAS MELTED, AND I THINK THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE. HAD I HIT A TRUCK OR BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER LARGE OR SMALL CAR, I HATE TO WONDER WHAT WOULD OF HAPPENED THEN. WOULD I OF MADE IT OUT IN TIME BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, OR WOULD IT BLOW UP ON IMPACT?! NEONS ARE NOT SAFE, AND I THINK THIS CAR WILL CATCH ON FIRE AT ANY SPEED. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE CAR THAT SHOWS THE DAMAGE FROM THE COLLISION, AND YOU WOULDN'T EVER THINK THE SMALL DAMAGE COULD CATCH THIS CAR ON FIRE.

WE PURCHASED A DODGE NEON SRT/4 AND 3 WEEKS AFTER HAVING THE CAR HAD PROBLEM WITH THE MANIFOLD WAS CHERRY RED,AND NO POWER WHAT SO EVER THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON THIS HAPPEN ON 5/22/03 THEN IT SERVICED WITH A CATALYTIC CONVERTORAND ON THESE OTHER DATES THE CAR WAS IN FOR SERVICE THEIR AFTER=7/15/03,7/23/03,8/20/03, THE DEALER WE PURCHASED THE CAR ACCUSSED US OF PUTTING AFTER MARKET PARTS WE HAD IT INSPECTED IN ANOTHER DEALER AND HAD A REPORT STATING THE CAR HAD NO AFTER MARKET PARTS INSTALLED.*AK

WE PURCHASED A DODGE NEON SRT/4 AND 3 WEEKS AFTER HAVING THE CAR HAD PROBLEM WITH THE MANIFOLD WAS CHERRY RED,AND NO POWER WHAT SO EVER THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON THIS HAPPEN ON 5/22/03 THEN IT SERVICED WITH A CATALYTIC CONVERTORAND ON THESE OTHER DATES THE CAR WAS IN FOR SERVICE THEIR AFTER=7/15/03,7/23/03,8/20/03, THE DEALER WE PURCHASED THE CAR ACCUSSED US OF PUTTING AFTER MARKET PARTS WE HAD IT INSPECTED IN ANOTHER DEALER AND HAD A REPORT STATING THE CAR HAD NO AFTER MARKET PARTS INSTALLED.*AK

3/22/3 5160 MI RADIATOR LOOSE, BRAKES PULSE, 4/7/3 5500 MI. FRONT ROTORS REPLACED. 4/24/3 6204 MI. POWER STEERING FAILED (TWICE), PS PUMP REPLACED. 6/6/3 7300 MI. SEAT BACK POKE INTO MY BACK FROM THE HEAD REST SUPPORT, ACTUALLY WEARING A SPOT IN THE SEAT BACK FABRIC. NEW SEAT BACK ORDERED.*AK

Mileage: 5,160