Faults:

Within the first six months of ownership, the transmission went.

Within the next year, an oil leak in the engine. Since owning this car, I have had to pump more money into it than it is worth. Now the fuel pump is shot and don't know if it will start from one day to the next.

General Comments:

This car was a serious disappointment and will never buy another.

Faults:

Tail light housing leaked early on. The water froze inside and cracked the lens.

Head gasket blew at 104,000 miles. I've been informed this is a common Neon problem occurring as early as 3,000 miles.

Lower air conditioner hose ruptured from rubbing against the radiator fan housing.

Rear struts needed replacement at 40,000 miles and 100,000 miles.

Wind noise at speed due to frame-less door windows.

Clutch cable broke at 100,000 miles. The only replacement available was a dealer stock part which cost $85.00.

Constant squeak during shifting from the spring loaded exhaust manifold bolts.

General Comments:

This car is an absolute hoot to drive. The available acceleration put similarly priced cars to shame.

Although I have not treated this car well at all, it has never let me down.

The interior of this car is huge despite it's diminutive outside proportions.

Faults:

The head gasket has been replaced twice. It blew at 35,000 miles according to the dealership and at 85,000.

The air conditioning is dead and apparently cannot be repaired without a huge expense.

The paint is peeling off in large pieces.

FM radio is dead.

General Comments:

This is my first experience with an American car. I purchased it used from a dealer I trusted. Since I purchased it in the winter, I checked the heat, but not the air conditioner. My mistake.

When the head gasket blew I took it to the dealership. I was informed that it was reasonable to expect that it would need to be replaced twice in 85,000 miles.

Other than the flaws I mentioned above, it runs OK and was good on gas. It heast up quickly even on the coldest days. I have not been able to take it any great distance for at least two years. I just don't trust it.

The exterior is a mess. I have not been able to wash the car in three years becuase I loose so much paint when I do. Locally, just about every Neon I see has lost paint in the same places - the rear and the side by the rear window.

Probably the most disappointing thing about the Dodge product is when I went to the Dodge dealership to look at a new car. I was told $700 for the trade and how the paint problem affected the value. No kidding! No more Dodge for me - ever.

Faults:

Cylinder head gasket began leaking at 90,000 miles.

Water leaks into rear taillight housing. If not drained regularly, this causes the trunk (and sometimes the floorboard) of the car to flood.

General Comments:

Avoid this car if you have a family. There is no room in the backseat.

This car performs admirably with a low odometer. However, the repair costs mount exponentially as the mileage rises.

The head gasket is a problem I have encountered with every neon owner with whom I have spoken. The folks in the Dodge customer service department flatly deny that it is a design flaw. That being said, I think the major design flaw occurred when the plans were approved for production.

In short, don't waste your time with this heap of junk.