Engine Oil Leaking problems of the 1996 Dodge Neon - part 1

48 problems related to engine oil leaking have been reported for the 1996 Dodge Neon. The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 12/27/2002

1996 Dodge Neon with a little over 70,000 miles on it. Car is leaking oil. . According to mechanic, the head gasket needs to be replaced at a cost of $700-$800. Mechanic indicated that this is a very common problem with the Neon. I would like to know if there is a recall on this issue. If not, is there any steps I can take to have this cost paid by Dodge? ts.

2 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 03/04/2002

Oil leak first documented by dealer at 30404 mi. Problem continued to worsen until headgasket had to be replaced on 3/4/02 at 36794 mi. I have heard and read about numerous complaints about blown headgaskets on the Neon and stratus and felt I should go on record with my complaint. I have documentation for all service done on my vehicle. Thank you.

3 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 03/04/2002

Vehicle was leaking oil. Taken to a repair shop and informed of a blown head gasket. Dealer was notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

4 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2002

Consumer states vehicle is leaking motor oil.

5 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 12/03/2001

At 53000 I noticed oil leaking. After taking it to a mechanic, I was told it was the head gasket. My mechanic stated that he has worked on several Neons that have had the same problem. He said the former Neon owners took the car back to the dealership and had it fixed for $200 - $250, as opposed to a more hefty charge. I'm not sure how a head gasket can malfunction on a car with only 53000 miles. . . . . . Something is not right with this story. Also, my rear break shoes (lining) suddenly gave out. . . Only two months after replacing them.

6 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 11/21/2001

Consumer notice oil on their driveway under their vehicle. Consumer had vehicle serviced, dealership indicated that their is a leak into the head gasket and this is a common problem with these vehicle. Please provide more details ts.

7 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 03/30/2001

The c/s oil light flashed on and off. The car was immediately taken to the dealer. They diagnosed a leaking front camshaft seal. The dealer's repair invoice listed the problem as "front cam seal fell out". There was oil all over the engine and the driveway. Camshaft seals don't 'fall out' of properly designed engines. There is obviously an engine design defect here.

8 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 02/28/2001

Oil leak, head gasket. This is a known problem with all of the vehicles manufactured for that year.

9 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 01/25/2001

There was an oil leakage around head gasket. The dealer told me that Chrysler Jeep's have the same problems and are being recalled. The Dodge dealer told me I have to pay for it. My warranty was expired, and the dealer said Chrysler won't pay for Neons. This is a defect not something I did to the car. I have never had an accident. I hope this helps, because I can't afford to fix it.

10 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 01/12/2001

Vehicle has a blown headgasket. Consumer waiting to hear from Dodge. The leak in the head gasket resulted in oil dripping on to the transmission. The head gasket was fixed.

11 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2001

Massive oil leak again from latest head gasket version used all new cars.

12 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 09/11/2000

Engine oil leaking problem went worse wnd worse, even after changing some potential parts of the engine.

13 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2000

Vehicle got hot and has developed an oil leak, took to dealer , and they said it was engine head gasket problem, that may have damaged engine.

14 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2000

Oil leak is due to a gasket; transmission went out(could not use reverse until car was on 20 minutes or more), paint has been peeling for about 6 months now, numerous sets of brakes replaced.

15 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 07/04/2000

Vehicle is constantly leaking oil. Dealer has advised consumer that there was a problem with crankshaft rear main oil field which was not a part of the previous recall.

16 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 06/27/2000

Engine was leaking oil. A technician explained that the problem was a blownout head gasket.

17 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2000

. . Read more...

18 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 11/15/1999

Oil was leaking onto the engine.

19 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 10/02/1999

Noticed oil leak due to a blowen out engine head gasket due to poor design. Contacted dealer .

20 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 10/01/1999

Severe oil leak; this is a known problem with the Dodge Neons but Dodge refuses to fix. This problem did not occur due to car accident. Car has never been wrecked.

21 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 06/20/1999

Oil lekage; consumer gotten two different reasons where it could be coming from. Dealer nor mechanic can't really determine what the problem was. Consumer saw leakage fom under left front tire.

22 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 06/01/1999

Defective engine head gasket broke which caused oil to leak onto engine compartment and could ruin engine compartment. Common problem. Dodge won't assist consumer because he went to independent dealer. Please provide further information.

23 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 05/05/1999

Ongoing oil leakage; vehicle taken to an independent repair shop, and was informed there was a blown head gasket. Dealer repaired the vehicle.

24 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 03/17/1999

Vehicle started leaking a large amount of oil. Also. Heard a knocking in the engine. Dealer contacted, and could remedy problem. Repairwork was done at owner's expense. Problem still exists. Provide further information.

25 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 03/13/1999

This is the same problem alot of other people are having. The car is excessively leaking oil and when it is checked it turned out to be the cylinder head gasket. My mechanic said it would be $610. 70 to fix. He was kind enough to even check for recalls for me. I cannot believe with the amoint of complaints , that there has not been a recall. My mechanic even made me a copy of an advertisement in motorage magazine for fel-pro that mentions the "troublesome and expensive problem on their '95-'97 2. 0l engines. Conventional head gasket designs cannot withstand the stress at the oil pressure hole, causing oil to leak" if this quote was a lie I think Chrysler would have pulled the ad and filed a lawsuit. Obviously it is true, and the consumers are paying. This was my first and last Chrysler. I am going back to chevy.

26 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 01/19/1999

Oil leakage/seeping on the posterior side of the engine block head gasket.

27 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 01/05/1999

Problem with a blown engine head gasket causing oil leakages. Dealer notified and informed repairs was not under a mfr. Recall.

28 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 01/01/1999

There is oil leaking from the distributer cap area, consumer has to put in a quart of oil in vehicle once every seven days. Please give any further details.

29 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 11/30/1998

Consumer experiencing oil leaks from engine, unable to locate where it coming from. Dealer notified.

30 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 11/30/1998

I get oil changes regularly so that the car will last, then the last oil change I get, a month later oil starts leaking severely out from under the care. Two estimated later and the head gasket needs to be replaced. Not only has that gone up but the front brakes and rotors have already been replaced at 40,000 miles. I am always replacing something on this car and it is not even 3 years old. Will these cars ever last the full loan?.

31 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 11/20/1998

Engine is leaking oil. Took it to dealer who said that it needs a new head gasket. When I complained about the cost (approx $500. ) he said they could take care of 1/2 of it. Said that the problem is a poorly manufactured gasket & they replace a lot-in fact item is on back order.

32 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 08/27/1998

The camshaft system broke, causing the oil to leak which may result a fire if there was a source of ignition. Cause unknown. Dealer cannot determine the problem. Been to dealer twice. Please provide details.

33 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 06/01/1998

Engine head gasket was diagnosed as failing 2 years ago. Vehicle leaked oil & would sometimes cut off. It took 2-3 minutes before starting back up. Dealer was going to inspect vehicle for head gasket problem again. Consumer found that there was a extended warranty. However, dealer said there was no such thing.

34 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 05/20/1998

Over the past weeks owner noticed a strong burning odor coming from the engine, and the valve lifters tapping very loud. Upon having the problem checked by a mechanic, the mechanic stated that the rear seal is leaking oil. The problem will be corrected.

35 Engine Oil Leaking problem

Failure Date: 04/01/1998

Oil leak due to headgasket problem. This is a huge problem with Dodge Neons. Chrysler finally put out a new headgasket in the 1999 models. But what about all of us with cars before 1999? this is a manufacturer defect and chrystler knows it. They are replacing the headgasket for some owners at little cost. But others (like me) are told there is no assistance given. Please let me know if there's anything NHTSA is doing. Thanks.



Fuel Economy of Neon Vehicles
Neon Service Bulletins
Neon Safety Recalls
Neon Defect Investigations