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Engine & cooling

Dodge Neon Engine problems by year

1,005 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Dodge Neon's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
200517210
200426100
200318110
200237220
200117120
200060220
199970100
1998205300
1997220320
1996334310
19931000

Latest Neon engine complaints

2005 Dodge NeonLightsAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

The gas pedal has come disconnected or stuck continuing to accelerate and I miraculously stopped the car with the emergency brake before it nearly Crashed into a crowded bus stop! The car only has 65k miles but regardless a car should never put anyone in this danger! It is giving me a nervous breakdown almost running people over!

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11480684
2005 Dodge NeonBody, doors & structureEngine & cooling

Person sold an inoperable vehicle. Using verbal manipulations he claimed in the add and later face to face that the vehicle has a clean title (carfax report shows it as salvage with multiple reported accidents and 8 service history records), certain mileage (148000 claimed, 223.300 In reality), he was the 2nd owner (3 owners in reality) and no major issues - was told in person during the sale operation, also told he was selling the car for his friend thats why there was a different person name on a title...

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(([redacted])). Seller was convencing and did a great job at confusing igor and decieving him. The seller lied about the smog check also and took advantage of the buyer - the car didnt pass the smog check the next morning 6/27, and later the same day didnt start anymore for good. Seller send a text message to igor that same morning saying that car is overheating and water has to be placed in the radiator daily, but it's a very dangerous procedure as the water inside the tank is of a boiling temperature and can splash uncontrollably under pressure resulting onto an injury, which was a mockery as by that time a car was marked as inoperable by a mechanic and that was a miracle that it made it to the curbside. Currently it is absolutely dead metal. The car was fraudlently and intentionally made to work just one day specificly to make a sale. ([redacted]) intentionally gave out the false facts about the car and misled ([redacted]) towards the sale completion. ([redacted]) trusted the seller, false info and fake odometer pictures thats been forced at him, as he couldnt see things clearly in person and was misled and verbally manipulated. All records as documents on this car, add screenshots and text messaging between ([redacted]) and seller ([redacted]) are available as proof. Redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Structure · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11228789
2004 Dodge NeonTransmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge neon. While driving 20 mph, the engine revved and inadvertently shifted to a lower gear. Also, the service engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home but, prior to the failure, was having transmission issues for over a year. The contact mentioned that a plastic piece that separated the coolant and transmission fluid fractured and allowed coolant to enter the transmission. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for...

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diagnostic testing and repairs; however, the radiator was replaced. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 139,000. The vin was unavailable.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11044792
2002 Dodge NeonEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge neon. While driving various speeds, a knocking sound was coming from the engine and the engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine piston detached and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10994128
2004 Dodge NeonElectrical systemEngine & coolingFire

Tl* the contact owned a 2004 dodge neon. While driving 55 mph, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment followed by flames. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage yard. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10898311
2004 Dodge NeonEngine & coolingCrash

Vehicle respond to a light acceleration request with sustain full throttle operation. The vehicle traveled in poor road conditions with full throttle operation. The only influence in course change was terrain and torque steering. After collision with a stone pillar code p0123 throttle high voltage was found.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10870169
2002 Dodge NeonEngine & cooling

I driving off the interstate wen car shut off idled tried to crank it up but it only made whining noise and won't start I also notice my car was smoking so I let the car cool off before I put water... The next day I went and a new timing belt put on and a crank shaft sensor and it still won't crank

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10787551
2005 Dodge NeonAirbagsBody, doors & structureEngine & coolingCrash1 injury

My 2005 dodge neon entered into a collision with a 2001 ford taurus on 7/4/2014. My vehicle hit the ford taurus head-on into the passenger's side of the ford taurus at about the middle of the taurus. My seat belt had kept me in my seat, but the air bag had failed to deploy, resulting in permanent injuries which will require pain management and surgery at some point. The posted speed limit was 45 mph, and I was estimated to be traveling at around 40 mph at the time of impact. *Tr

Filed Incident Air bags · Structure · EngineNHTSA 10664387
2001 Dodge NeonSteeringEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge neon. While operating the vehicle, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and made the steering wheel very difficult to turn. The dealer diagnosed and repaired the vehicle. No further information was available. The contact also indicated that the check engine light would illuminate sporadically. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was 102,000.

Filed Incident Steering · EngineNHTSA 10661558
2005 Dodge NeonElectrical systemEngine & cooling

I have a dodge neon 2005 and I know a few other people that have them to. I have been getting like a stall and engine light coming on so I took it to auto zone and they say it's the cam sensor. Three out of the five people I know with neon say they had the same thing happen and when I research it it's all over the internet why is this not a recall since so many people are having issues with it. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10628498
2002 Dodge NeonTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Good morning, I have a 2002 dodge neon that I have put money into and I have experienced dishonesty from mechanics until now; paying lots of money to fix a problem that cannot be fixed. I was informed last week that this leak on my car cannot be fixed because its a manufacturer problem. Apparently, this is a problem with all neon's. Its a fluid leak of oil. A recommended mechanic diagnosed my car and informed me of this news. He said that the sealant is gone and cannot be repaired by any mechanic. What...

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happens now? Because this problem cannot be fixed and I'm not in a position to purchase a vehicle, is there a recall to repair this problem? I also had to disassemble my radio because after replacing my battery, the electrical fuse was replaced several times along with the alternator because the radio played after the car was turned off and would kill my battery. *Tr

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10621973
2004 Dodge NeonEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge neon. The contact stated that while traveling 20 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was diagnosed by a private mechanic who stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000 and the current mileage was 167,000. The vin was not available.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10588031
1996 Dodge NeonEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge neon. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who performed a tune-up however, the failure recurred three times. The dealer replaced the emission coil and alternator belt as a repair. The contact was later driving 40 mph when the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the timing belt needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10568374
2002 Dodge NeonSuspensionEngine & cooling

Where to start! Steering wheel shakes bad when idling and had to replace the entire computer! There seems to be the same complaints with these cars without any action from chrysler. We have had to replace the front control arm bushings twice in 6 months in my daughters car, there is water leaking into the backseat from somewhere, stuttering when going up hills or over 50 mph; blown out struts, replaced radiator; eats oil..........Why isn't chrysler held responsible for these problems. Check the internet........There are thousands of the same complaints! It has cost me over 2500 in repairs in 8 months! *Tr

Filed Incident Suspension · EngineNHTSA 10560889

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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