Engine Cooling System Problems of Dodge Neon

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?.

See all problems of the 2003 Dodge Neon 🔎.

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!!!!.

My engine light turned on initially. I took the car to a mechanic to have the computer read by a mechanic. The light turned off before I arrived to the shop, but I thought that there would be something in the computer history. The mechanic still put this on the computer which read nothing in the history. I thought that this must be some type of diagnostic check and the mechanic stated that I could of just put the gas cap on wrong or something. I just bought the car about 6 months ago and nothing was wrong with the car when I had this inspected. The engine light being on will not pass emissions. Then on 06/22/09 I got an full oil change and all fluids were checked. Still nothing wrong. I turned the car on 07/04/09 the brake light was flashing and the speedometer gauge and fuel gauge was shaking. The battery died. I replaced the battery and the battery warehouse checked the flow of the battery and stated that this may have been just a bad battery because nothing else is wrong. They even stated that this was not the alternator. Then 2 days later I turn the car on and the transmission fluid and antifreeze were pouring on the ground. I turned the car off immediately. The Dodge dealership thinks this is the transmission from experience without even looking at the car. I feel that this is a safety hazard and would like this to be looked into further when looking online it looks as if I am not the only owner of 2002 Neon that is having this particular issue without any noticeable warning. There was no pop-the engine still runs without a noise I just noticed that I lost all gears and fluids are dumping very quickly from my car. I immediately shut this down. Dodge is quoting just for a transmission the bill will be $3500. 00 and needed my VIN # just to tell that without seeing my car. Luckily my employer is not upset about the fluids all dumped in the parking lot, but this could be considered property damage.

See all problems of the 2002 Dodge Neon 🔎.

I was driving my car one evening when it suddenly stopped accelerating. I pulled over as best as I could being on a hilly curving road in a thunderstorm. I was able to check the transmission fluid; there was no fluid on the stick. I called for a tow truck and a friend near by. We bought transmission fluid to see if that would help. We put almost 2 quarts of fluid in it and attempted to put it in gear. It didn't go into gear, just coasted backwards and saw fluid on the pavement. It was leaking from front, appeared to be hose related. When I got home and the hose from the transmission to the radiator was disconnected. The hose and connector were intact however the threads inside the radiator were stripped. I got online to see if there were any recalls or similar problems with Neons. I found out that there were similar problems with Neons from 1999-2005 with faulty factory installed radiators. Eventually the problem causes the transmission fluid and antifreeze to mix and then the transmission blows. I called the dealership where I originally bought my car, looking for possible answers. I could not believe that a car that is just under 4 years old, has just over 30k miles and I am the original owner would have such a huge problem. The dealership offered nothing. They blew it off stating when I find out what is "really" wrong with my car, then to call them. The man said he had only seen it once and doubted it was what I said it was. Forced to seek help somewhere else, I called another dealership. He had said that he had seen this problem a couple of times and knew exactly what I was explaining. I took it down and had my car back the next day. They replaced the radiator, flushed both the radiator and the transmission. It cost $760. My transmission was spared. I also contacted Dodge/Chrysler and got a polite thank for your "opinion" letter.

See all problems of the 2004 Dodge Neon 🔎.

The 1998 Dodge Neon is notorious for faulty head gaskets. The problem is first noticed by an oil leak and the vehicle overheating. The head gaskets are expensive to replace. After the car gets hot, it stalls at every intersection and every time the vehicle starts to slow down or is placed in neutral (manual transmission). My car stalled in the middle of a busy intersection where traffic was getting on and off of the freeway and would not start again. I had to get out of my car and push it to the side of the freeway entrance because it was the only available place to move my car to. It was fortunate that this incident did not cause an accident or result in me getting injured. Chrysler is well aware of the problem and has issued an improved gasket replacement kit, (which is costly) but refuses to take responsibility for the problem by issuing a recall. My car needs new head gaskets and I have been quoted $900 for parts and labor. I don't have that much money, so now my car sits parked in the street and I now have to take the city bus, which closest stop to my house is 1. 5 miles, or walk places with my 3 children in 100 degree weather. I don't know what I will do when winter comes. Chrysler needs to be forced to issue a recall for this problem. There are hundreds of complaints for the exact same issue on website such as mycarstats. Com and many forums. Most of the blown head gaskets happened on low mileage vehicles. My car only has 89,000 miles on it. If you do a google search for 1998 Dodge Neon blown head gaskets, you will get over 80,000 listing of forums, discussions and articles relating to the same problem.

See all problems of the 1998 Dodge Neon 🔎.

The car started leaking oil x 2 months. Kept overheating after 20 minutes of running. Alle the radiator fluid leaked out. Had radiator fixed. Continued to overheat, told it was fan relay. Had that replaced. Now told that it was the gasket. That it had a leak and now needs to be replaced due to some thing about the aluminum.

See all problems of the 1997 Dodge Neon 🔎.

2004 Dodge Neon sxt. Transmission / cooling system failure resulting in antifreeze mixing with transmission fluid destroying transmission and radiator. Dodge refuses to honor their power train warranty citing the cooling system as the cause of the transmission failure, and not the powertrain. This should be a rare occurrence according to my mechanic, but it is one of the largest problems with the car online. There seems to be a major defect in these cars causing a catastrophic failure. Dealer estimated 3900 parts and labor to fix.

I purchased a 1996 Dodge Neon from bobb Chevrolet on 12/28/99. The sales folks were tim and wendy ryan. I paid $6343. 85 for the car. The serial number of the car is 1b3es42c4td658370. When I purchased the car I was asked tim ryan 2 questions: (1) would he have the head gasket checked and (2) why was the transmission slipping. Byers fixed the head gasket and he said that slipping transmission was a Chrysler thing. The head gasket was leaking all through the spring and summer of 2000. So on 9/8/2000, the head gasket was replaced at byers. It was byers invoice chcs34225. At this time, I asked if the head was resurfaced and checked for cracks along if the head bolts were replaced. I was told that if byers did this and was told no. I took away from this that this work would be too expensive and that was why is was nt done. I was told yesterday, 1/14/04 that I had a possible head gasket leak again. So I went back to byers for help. Treat said today that Chrysler wont cover this work under warranty. Questions: 1. Why did the head gasket leak after 37,000 miles? 2. If the head was resurfaced and checked for cracks and head bolts replaced as I asked for in 2000, would I will have the problems in 2004. 3. How many other Dodge Neons have bad head gaskets and have to be replaced 3 times in 44000 miles. 4. When the work was done on the head gasket in 1/2000 and 9/2000, what work was done exactly? were the heads taken out and check by defects. I need to know since I now think that the head gasket problem is causing problems with the cooling system, ie the anti-freeze is leaking.

See all problems of the 1996 Dodge Neon 🔎.

Car overheated eventhough there were plenty of coolant. Thick smoke coming out of the hood so I shut off the engine and cruised to a stop. I did not want the engine to catch fire. Mechanic said that it was a blown head gasket and that it was a common problem with the Neon. Why was there not a recall. Does someone have to get injured before there is one. I called Chrysler and they nicely said that my warranty had expired. If this was defective to start with, the warranty should cover the cost of repairs. Thank you for listening. Bc.

Head gasket problems on the 2001 Dodge Neon ES sedan. Oil leakage in certain compartments, including the water coolant housing. As a result, the car started to overheat.

See all problems of the 2001 Dodge Neon 🔎.

The head gasket on my 1998 Neon is no good and has leaked oil into my cooling system. It will cost me over a $1000 to fix it. I have learned this is a common defect on my car which I bought new in 1998. The company should be made aware of this design defect. Thank you. Mary anne cordalis.

I have a 2000 Dodge Neon I bought at 32,000miles. Started over heating at 34,000mi. Only on really hot days. Now at 56,000 miles over heats all the time. Can't drive it. Found out it is a blown head gasket. Dealer estimates $2500 repair. (single mom, can't afford it) found out through research and mechanics that Neons are prone to blown head gaskets between 30 to 60 thousand miles. Mechanic explained that the gaskets chemical compounds within the metals are not compatible. But they are no longer useing those gaskets and have replaced them with new ones that are compatible. I was informed that once replaced they have not seen any reoccuring problems. This leaves me wondering why the gaskets have not been recalled. Thank you brandi.

See all problems of the 2000 Dodge Neon 🔎.

Oil sending unit on 1996 Dodge Neon - flawed part causing severe oil leak, blowing head gasket.

Consumer states head gasket is leaking oil into the cooling system, damaging the engine. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information. Ts.

Ts.

Engine is leaking oil, and vehicle is running hot. Dealership is aware of problem.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

The vehicle overheated and made a loud noise when in reverse, also the engine light illuminated, the engine was replaced, however it continued to overheat and the engine light reappeared, the dealer then informed consumer a radiator and thermostat was needed, however the problem was still not resolved.

Vehicle is sitting idle for about 15 minutes and temperature gauge goes to hot. Vehicle overheats. Once vehicle is moving gauge goes back down. Dealer has been contacted.

Vehicle experiences oil leakages and loss of oil while driving. Vehicle taken to an independent repair shop and informed consumer of a head gasket failure. Dealer/manufacturer were not notified at this time. Air filter failed and was replaced. . Problem happen again.

See all problems of the 1999 Dodge Neon 🔎.

My car overheated so I took it to a repair shop. They said I had a blown head gasket and should not drive it any further because if it gets empty it could blow my engine also could get so hot and cause a fire.

Six months ago severe overheating problems, told relay not functioning. Mechanic replaces switch, first time fan kicks in to cool engine, relay blows/shorts out, mechanic sends me to dealer because of warranty . Dealer replaces relay, car continued to over heat. Dealer told me "mice" must have eaten through wiring, dealer replaced switch/wiring. Now head gasket needs replacing after four months of oil loss. Diaganosis w/black light, head gasket. Told relay and head gasket related as aluminum block prone to overheating, relay cooling disfunction possible cause of head gasket leak.

I repaired the water leak by caulking the trunk, I am aware this is a manufacturing defect.

Headgasket failure at 3 yrs (52,000 miles). Oil leaking out of engine as well as into the cooling system. The headgaskets for Neons have been re-designed in late 1998 as detailed in technical service bulletin 090598.

Car began to over heat on major interstate highway. When it was realized that problem was critical car was pulled to side of the highway and Dodge roadside assistance was called. Car was towed to nichols Dodge in burlington, nc where it sits and we are awaiting determination of damage and warranty coverage.

This car has gone dead twice in the last year and a half while driving.

The pipes ruptured and oil and water mixed together causing the radiator to collect thick brown mass. Car overheated and temperature gauge to break and a leak of oil out of the broken pipe.

While having a routine oil change, mechanic noticed an oil leak due to a defective oil gasket. The service tech suggested the problem could have been the oil pressure switch. A week later the cooling system was flushed and the service tech found that the head gasket was no good.

Vehicle was taken to the dealership for an oil change and mechanic found that cylinder head gasket was leaking oil, and must be replaced.

Vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs. Head gasket was warped. Please provide details.

Car is past warranty. I called the dealer and asked if they would split the $800-$1000 repair bill with me, since I bought the car from them less than two years ago. They refused to do this. My mechanic, jeff solomon, at the mt hope service center in rochester, says "this happens all the time on 1996 Neons".