Automatic Transmission problems of the 2000 Dodge Neon

I am writing this on behalf of my elderly mother who is in the hospital undergoing medical treatment for injuries she received when her car dropped into reverse from park while she was getting items out of the trunk with the engine running. She was pinned under the car for about 15 minutes before a family member found her and moved the car off her. She has multiple abrasions, some stitches, and is undergoing testing for internal injuries.

2000 Dodge Neon-I have had this car for 5 years and use it solely for commuting to and from work. I am a careful driver and do not abuse this vehicle. During these 5 yrs I have had the following work on this car; replaced the brakes twice within the first 2 yrs replaced the battery 3 times over 5 years replaced the transmission at 70k replaced the radiator at 70k the car performs very poorly in ice and snow. I have spun out on several major highways merely doing less than 10 mph in snow/slush. I was told my mechanic that it is the weight distribution and poor design of my vehicle that this happens. My tires have always been maintained/replaced when tread was getting low. I recently paid $400 for a set of new michelin harmony tires hoping that the upcoming snow and ice season may not kill me. Car had a musty/fishy odor when I used the heater during the first 2 years. This has since gone. My transmission died during a thunderstorm on my way home from work. It gave no warning, all fluids had just been checked the weekend before when my oil was changed. This incident resulted in over $1900 worth of repair charges. I had just bought out my lease that very week. The $1900 I paid was my entire savings. The following repair work outstands; cdplayer is dead. It chewed up my cds. (1 year) my rear passenger door lock buzzes when I lock it. It apparently needs a new door lock assembly and actuator. (2nd year) the trunk latch does not automatically open. It takes several attempts to lock. (1st year).

When putting vehicle into reverse it will start to shake and vibrate real hard, it will last until vehicle is taken out of reverse. Contacted dealer.

I have had trouble with the transmmition since I bought the car in 2000. It shifs hard and at times seems to miss 2nd gear. The car was still under warrenty so Dodge would not autherize Monday chev. (who I bought it from)to do the repaires. The first repair was an adjustment, second was a modual change out and so was the 3rd repair. On the fourth time of taking the car to to one of the Dodge dealers they said they "did a compleat overhaul of the transmmition". At this time I am still having troouble with the shifting. The brakes did not work this morning and the throutal stuck open when I steped on the gas. The car is no longer under warenty. There was a recall in July 2001on the hose to the brake each time I contacted archer Dodge they told me they did not have the part in to make the repair. I now have a car that needs to go into the shop again and I am sure this has someething to do with the brake system.

Automatic transmission does not lock into park if indicator is stopped between the park and reverse locations. The car is actually in neutral, but the indicator displays "park". Car will roll in this in this position. This has been tested in five other Neons and they all portray this characteristic. This defect caused an accident which injured my wife and daughter, and resulted in $3000 worth of repairs to vehicle. As my wife exited vehicle it began to roll away, with my daughter in her carseat in the rear seat of vehicle. The vehicle collided with a powerline pole, trapping my daughter inside. My wife was pushed to the ground as she tried to stop the vehicle from rolling.

When consumer changes gears vehicle stops without prior notice, and loses power. Also, tires tread was defective. She will contact dealership.

Transmission has been replaced in the vehicle 3 times. Vehicle would lock up and wouldn't go into reverse. Dealer told consumer that vehicle was being abused, and wanted nothing else to do with it.