Faults:

Just wondering if anyone is having the same problems as I am. I bought a new 2002 Chrysler Neon CL in 2002. Engine started making a knocking noise at 5,000km or first oil change. Since then I have gone through 4 motors including the original, and the problems is still not fixed.

I complained frequently to the local dealership that I bought the car from; December 5th 2002, December 10th 2002 and again on February 18th 2003. Each time I was told that was the way the engine ran. Needless to say, I decided to change dealerships.

Upon doing so, the short block on the engine was replaced on February 11th 2005 at 83,693km. Again on January 17th 2006 with only 117,308km. Unfortunately once again on January 25th, 2006. Well it's May 31st, 2006 and to no surprise the problem is still not fixed.

Now, Chrysler has decided to wipe their hands clean and refuse to acknowledge that there is still a problem and refuses to fix a problem "That is not there".

I am very discouraged with Chrysler Canada. My late husband worked there and therefore I have always been a loyal customer and always bought Chrysler vehicles'. I am about to retire shortly and cannot afford to buy another car when I have a fairly new Lemon sitting in the driveway.

I am starting arbitration very shortly and I am wondering if anyone has encountered the same problems as myself. If so, could you please contact me as soon as possible with any personal experiences or any relevant information to include in my research before I continue with arbitration.

Thank You very much for you time and would appreciate any help I can get.

Rose W.

Please email me at : dwarner4@cogeco.ca.

General Comments:

Had problems from day one...

Faults:

I purchased this vehicle used and after a month of driving (42000km) and adding only a thousand kilometers on it, the fuel pump ceased to operate.

The air conditioning assembly stopped working at 50000km and was replaced under warranty. This was causing the car to stall and shake violently, most notably while in reverse.

At 56000km both front tie-rod ends needed to be replaced. This was not covered under warranty.

At 57000km the stalling issue started again. Multiple visits to the dealership to correct this problem have not worked and the shaking has come back only 10x worse. The dealership told me this was normal.

The automatic transmission is slow up/down-shifting, often revving out the engine to the red line while it searches for the gear.

The muffler rusted out very quickly and there are now several holes in it.

General Comments:

Buyer beware! I have several friends who own the same year and model as my car, and none of them have had very many problems.

I suggest if you are looking to purchase a Neon take it to an independent shop and have them look it over. Neon's seem to be hit and miss when it comes to reliability and dependability.

The interior is not as bad as most domestic automakers, but still uses too much cheap plastic.

The car does handle great, but it handles even better when you upgrade the tires.