Blown Head Gasket problems of the 1997 Dodge Neon

Oil leakage, head gasket replaced 2x in 1997, again head gasket is blown, cam and transmission leakage also. Car has always leaked a bit of oil daily; however, oil changes every 2000 miles coupled with weekly level checks maintained ability to drive vehicle. As of 2/05, oil leaking profusely via passenger portion of engine gasket. Mechanic confirms blown head gasket, says this is a known defect of the Neons as a whole. I have chosen to not repair head gasket at my expense at this time. I purchased vehicle new in oct. 1996, as a new year Neon for 1997. I maintained the vehicle meticiously, and both the body and interior are in excellent condition (body has no rust). Car has 88,000 miles currently. I am very disappointed in Dodge's lack of concern and responsibility in producing a quality car. I bought this new and had hope to transfer it to my daughter who will be leaving for college soon. Replacing a headgasket twice should assure me, the buyer, that I can maintain my car without suddenly finding out this was a damaged vehicle from the get go, and now I have to find alternate transportation to work while I set time aside to quickly find another car. Shame on Dodge!.

Engine started leaking oil and head gasket was replaced in 1999. Now the engine is leaking oil again and mechanics have said the head gasket is blown again.

My daughter just turned 16 and bought a used 1997 Dodge Neon with 60,000 miles. The dealer told her of what had been done and replaced. One of his selling points was a new head gasket had been installed. Well it's been just over the 3 month, 3000 miles and the head gasket blew, spilling oil all over the highway. I went to the web, and to my horror this has happened to alot of people. The roads are being made hazardous with slippery oil and people are getting ripped off by a badly designed engine. Chrysler should recall them. I know you are well aware of the problem and hope your agency can make Chrysler recall this accident waiting to happen.

Vehicle had been using a lot of oil, had vehicle inspected, and was told by mechanic that head gasket was blown. Vehicle not repaired yet.

Head gasket blew and repaired through local dealer. We were told this was an on going problem with this model. We contacted the main office and got nowhere. We were told it's not a recall so we can't help you. The customer service rep. Was very rude and hung up on us. It cost us over $600. 00 for the repair. If this is an ongoing problem Dodge needs to be resposible. We were very loyal Dodge owners but from now on we are not. There is a TSB on this but we were told if it's not a recall we cannot help you. This needs to be addressed. Nlm.

Head gasket blew out. Dealer replaced head gasket, but an independent dealer told consumer head gasket was not replaced. Also, dealer wanted to replace transmission/transmission pan and flywheel. Vehicle not in condition to be driven.

After only 32,000 miles, head gasket blew causing oil leakage. This is an ongoing problem with the 97 Dodge Neon. It must be recalled.

Noticed oil leaking. Took to dealer and was told that head gasket blewout.

On Sunday July 23, 2000, I was on my way home from a restaurant with my family, I came up to an intersection and stopped. After aproximately 10 seconds at the stop light, I noticed the air conditioner began blowing hot air. I immediately glanced at the temperature guage in the car. It had risen to aproximately 3/4 of the way toward the red mark. I immediately turned the ac off and then turned the heat on as to not raise the heat anymore than what it already was. I was within a mile of my mechanics , so I drove over there and dropped off the car. On the next day, my mechanic called me to tell me that my head gasket had blown. He then told me that these cars were known for this particular problem. I then called smithfield Dodge ( where I bought the car ) they gave me the service manager and he told me that they were having alot of problems with the head gaskets on the Neons. He told me to call the complaints line at Dodge/Chrysler and that even though it was no longer under warranty that they would probably repair it for free as they were on the verge of a recall with these cars. My wife called and left a message with the regional district manager who called me back and tried to strike up a bogus deal with me, offering to fix the car for 544. 00 saying this was the best they were going to do. I had also heard from people over the internet who had also had this problem and they didn't have to pay for their repairs and, they too were also over the warranty. I also heard that this is not the same gasket, they have redesigned it to accomadate the problem. This alone should be recourse for a recall. I still owe two years on this car and I can't afford bills like this. I want a full reimbursement for the work I had done on the car. I have always maintained all my vehicles and kept them all in excellent running condition. This is a problem which is occuring constantly on these vehicles. Check the internet if you don't believe me. People are not happy with Dodge. They're not !.

Temperature gauge alarm went off, warning consumer that vehicle was running hot. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, and mechanic told consumer that head gasket had blown .

Head gasket blew. Oxygen sensor blew. Left rear brake pad fell off and jammed in the drum rendering the vehicle unmovable. Upon inspection, had to replace both drums, both discs, and new pads on front and back both sides. Window seals have failed on the passengers side front window. Water leaks in and air leaks at highway speeds, slows car down immensley and causes more fuel consumption. Driver's side window harshly scratched. Gets worse as time goes by, have seen other Neon's with the same problem. Fuel filter went, causing the entire fuel injection system to have to be replaced.

Neon head gasket blown, had to pay 680$ to have replaced. They should have taken care of this. Please contact me about this, and what should I do. Thank you, robert.

The head gasket blew out in my car as I was driving in town. The oil light came on all of a sudden and I pulled over thinking that I was just low in oil. So I added three quarts and proceeded to drive. The next day it was already low again. This is when I decided that something was wrong. This is a defect in the head gasket and in no way my fault.

Consumer had taken vehicle for repairs because oil was leaking. Technician told consumer that it was due to the engine head gasket blowing out.

The first problem I had with this car was the head gasket blew out. Chrysler agreed to pay for it (the $1000 was my estimate of what it cost to replace the gasket). The second problem was the throttle assembly and coil pack quit working, both at the same time. I paid $600 out of my pocket to fix them. The third problem was the automatic transmission started slipping and the car will not go into reverse when its cold. The fourth most current problem is the brakes are not working properly the pedal will not go down and the dealer says its probably something to do with the vacuum system. I contacted Chrysler and they are not willing to pay for the repairs for the transmission, even though they have admitted that they have problems with automatic transmissions per information I obtained from a web site called lemon- aid. ****** I will never buy a Dodge again!!! I'm spreading the word. I come into contact with many people everday. So sorry Dodge!!!******.

Weeks after routine oil/filter change I noticed oil pooling under vehicle, especially while running. Found head gasket blown.

Head gasket blown, consumer believes vehicle should be recalled. Nlm.

The head gasket was leaking and had to be replace it took two weeks to get the part because they said that most of the 97 Neons head gasket was blown.

Engine head gasket blew out without prior warning at only 56,000. Please provide further information.

Consumer noticed oil leaking into the engine compartment. Dealer was contacted, and stated that engine head gasket blew out, and needed to be replaced. Dealer has not yet corrected this problem.

Head gasket blew out. Oil leaking under car. User has to constantly put oil in car.

The vehicle has had two head gaskets blown, in a twelve month period.

Head gasket blown twice and problem still exists. Brakes let up when floored at complete stop.

Head gasket has blown 3 times and replaced, defect still occurs. Dealer cannot determine defect.