11th Jun 2006, 11:11

Just bought a used 2003 Neon SXT. A few days later we discovered the spare tire compartment full of water!

A family member has a 1997 Neon, which has chronic water leakage in the trunk. I assumed that since our Neon is 6 years newer, Chrysler would have addressed this design flaw.

Apparently Chrysler decided to ignore the problem.

Chrysler's inattention to quality disqualifies them for consideration for future purchases.

24th Sep 2006, 12:46

My 1995 Neon has every problem imaginable, with the (VERY) fortunate exception of never having any head gasket problems. There is so much mold under the driver-side seat, it could be mistaken for a yogurt farm.

But my favorite quirk, which I haven't seen listed yet and didn't think was possible: When I press on the brakes while driving, the left turn signal starts to blink. This is a real time-saver if I'm turning left, but it feels kind of dishonest if I'm turning right.

BTW...for those of you who have problems with the gauges, I've found that about 50% of the time they'll start to work again for about 5 minutes if you hit the dashboard with a hammer. The other 50 % of the time it doesn't affect the gauges at all, but I've found it to be something of a stress reliever.

24th Sep 2006, 12:56

Also, when I hit the brakes in my '95 Neon, it sounds like I choked a goose. It's OK, though. I enjoy scaring women and children at every stop sign.

18th Oct 2006, 18:43

I have to tell you... I laughed at all the comments... I thought it better than crying and I can feel your frustration. Here's my story.

I am divorced from my children's father. The father owned this 96 Plymouth Neon... he tried to trade it in.. and couldn't get anything so guess what? It was given to my 15 year old son... but he couldn't have it till his 16th birthday (a year away at that time)

When we got it.. it hasn't been cleaned, started, etc. It is a piece of crap. The dad says he will help fix it. 2 weeks later the darn thing died. I spent money on new battery.. etc... still couldn't get it started. The dads mechanic said the motor was seized.. ME being a dumb woman knew that wasn't... and it wasn't.. it was the starter.

Well the father pays the $50 to the shade tree mechanic.. and says to my son.. NO MORE.. I can't AFFORD THE UPKEEP ON THE CAR. LOL.

The car is blue book at $500ish.. I pay $1000 for liability only a year for a 17 (now) son. LOL.

So, we have sealed around the head lamps, tail lights.. added some insulation stuff around trunk... car drinks gas.. just had the rotors replaced... eating tires... but my biggest complaint is... 2 DOOR.. and the windows leak. I can't find those vent cover thingies for a two door. The windows do not have frame above them.. they close right onto the car frame. Any ideas? I have tried to pack the rubber seal with a piece of cable as stuffing inside and... didn't work.

Next? and yes.. I do believe they are disposable cars. And if you want to make your ex wife's life a living heck... buy your child who lives with her one of these. Sheesh.

6th Nov 2006, 11:51

1997 plymouth neon ex. this little 2 door automobile has been through hell in back. I have 200000km and never took care of it. I abused it so much that I found respect for it. my repair list is extensive, but not costly, found it to be a very affordable low cost automobile to maintain. if you take care of one of these cars, it will out live you. I nicked named her my (mountain goat). extremely satisfied.

13th Jan 2007, 18:16

After reading these comments, I think I must be the only Neon owner in the world who doesn't have a leak.

But suddenly I do have other problems with the car. It's a 1995, I'm the original owner, and now it has 114,000 miles on it. It's been taken care of all these years.

Last month while I was 60 miles from home the car wouldn't start. It was like a car possessed: The engine rumbled and vibrated, but wouldn't catch and start. Got towed home. (And NO, I didn't flood it.)

Next day the dealership said nothing was wrong with the car, that I must have flooded it. (After all these years I suddenly don't know how to start my car?)

Two days ago I was driving 25 mph here in town and it stalled. Everything still worked, but it was stalled. Started up right away.

Last night while starting to pull through an intersection, the car stalled. Wouldn't restart. It did that terrible rumbling and vibrating, but wouldn't catch and crank over. By the time the tow truck got there, it did restart perfectly.

Tonight I ran by the dealership and tried it out: It started just fine.

So, what IS this? It's almost as though the minute it gets warmed up, it stalls out, then won't start again. And that rumbling and vibrating sound when I try to start it is almost like the engine is trying to climb out from under the hood. Not kidding on that!

Any ideas?

24th May 2007, 08:03

I got my '95 neon sport in January for $850. it just rolled over to 160,000 miles yesterday. the most major thing is the transmission went. I remember before, my neon was quicker than my moms 01 cavalier. but after driving her car for a week, and then getting my neon's transmission replaced, it seemed slower than before. but everyone just says I got used to my moms car. I know that isn't it. the only explanation I can make of it is that the mechanic put a regular neon transmission in it, when the car is a neon sport.

DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE NEON SPORT TRANSMISSION IS DIFFERENT THAN A REGULAR NEON TRANSMISSION??? my grandfather says the "new" transmission fits perfectly where the old one went, so there isn't ANY differences in it at all. but I think there is. its slower and feels like its puttin around.

Please email me- Spyderlotus@aol.com - and let me know.

1st Jun 2007, 22:02

I had a 2000 neon, it was OK, but the transmission went out after 90000 miles. but the reason I posted a comment on here is because someone earlier was talking about the horn not working. before paying someone to look at it, take out the passenger side headlight (only a couple long screws get it off and unplug the wires) and check to make sure the horn is still plugged in. mine for no reason at all just came unplugged and didn't work. it's a good free thing to check first if you have that problem. good luck!