Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
30
Latest Aug 24, 2005
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 390 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Dodge Neon submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 30 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming electrical
The 25 most recent of 30, in the owner's own words
1997 DODGE NEON DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WITH THE FAN RELAY.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THERE WAS AN APPARENT PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR FAN CIRCUIT. THE VEHICLE HAD DISPLAYED DIAGNOSTIC CODE P1491. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND THE SOLID STATE FAN RELAY. THERE WAS NO CONTINUITY ON PIN 18 OF THE BACK OF THE POWER CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR. THE PCM WAS DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE OUTPUT ON THE PIN. THE CONSUMER FOUND A BREAK IN THE WIRE AT THE C160 CONNECTOR. THE BREAK WAS CAUSED BY THE WIRE MANAGEMENT CLIP CHAFING AGAINST THE GROUP OF WIRES. THE PCM CONNECTOR NUMBER ONE AND IT'S COVER ARE NOW BROKEN AT THE CONNECTION POINTS AND THE COVER WILL NOT STAY ON AND THE WIRES WERE COMING OUT AND ARE EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS. *SC
NHTSA ID
10134549
Incident
Apr 29, 2005
Mileage
114,666 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Jul 20, 2005
HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACE AFTER 45,000 MILES.. BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2002.. BBRAKES ARE HORRIBLE.. BRAKES MAKE NOISE, SYSTEM OPERATING NORMAL FAN RELAY SWITCH .. NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.. AND WAS ALSO RECALLED.. IN ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO.. AND NEVER NOTIFIED.. FRONT END ALWAYS CLANKING.. WHEN U TURN..
NHTSA ID
10129445
Incident
May 2, 2005
Mileage
48,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesDriver assistance+3 more
Filed Jun 23, 2004
VEHICLE'S BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED.*MR THE VEHICLE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS A BAD BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, THREE TURN SIGNAL SWITCHES, A BLOWN HEAD GASKET, STICKING THROTTLE BODY, AN OIL PAN LEAK, ALL FOUR WINDOWS HAD AN AIR LEAK WHICH WHISTLE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT HIGH SPEEDS. *JB
NHTSA ID
10079946
Incident
Jun 1, 2004
Electrical
Filed May 15, 2003
Fire reported
DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND GAUGES STARTED TO ACT FUNNY AND THEN IT STARTED TO SMOKE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND IS A TOTAL LOST. *JB
NHTSA ID
10018765
Incident
May 12, 2003
Electrical
Filed Feb 6, 2003
THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE MECHANIC STATED THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN, AND THE RADIATOR FAN RELAY SWITCH NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
NHTSA ID
10006701
Incident
Jan 30, 2003
Mileage
62,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+3 more
Filed Mar 21, 2002
CHRYSLER SOLD NEONS WITH KNOWN FACTORY DEFECTS AS EVIDENCED BY ISSUANCE OF 70 TSBS AND FAILED TO RECALL CARS WHICH ARE HIGHWAY HAZARDS.TO DATE, I HAVE SPENT $10,088.79 ON REPAIRS DUE TO THESE KNOWN DEFECTS. TWO HEAD GASKETS, CYLINDER HEADS, CAM SEALS AND SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER UNDER CHRYSLER'S "SECRET WARRANTY"--AT 20,871 AND 54,049 MILES. NOW SUPPOSEDLY ONLY DEFECTIVE CAMSENSORS ARE THE PROBLEM. OTHER DEFECTS BEGINNING 20,000 MILES: RADIO/TAPE PLAYER, VIBRATION, CLINKLING/CLUNKING SOUND, STEERING WHEEL SHAKE, "TOE" PROBLEM DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE TIRE CONSUMPTION (TIRE & WHEEL RUN OUT), ABS FAILURE, BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN, BRAKE HOWLING, BRAKE METAL TO METAL CONTACT, NEED FOR LARGER BRAKE DRUMS, TRUNK WEATHERSTRIPPING DEFECTIVE, FAULTY DESIGN RESULTS IN LEAKS TO INTERIOR, LOWER CONTROL ARM DEFECTIVE, CANNOT HOLD ALIGNMENT, SUSPENSION SYSTEM DEFECTIVE, TIRES COLLAPSE AND FLY OFF, AC FAILURE (HOSE LEAKS, COMPRESSOR REPLACED), NEW BATTERIES REPEATED REPLACED ( AAA CALLED 12 TIMES AND RECHARGER PURCHASED) NOW A TBS SAYS THIS IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE RKE TRANSMITTER, 02 SENSORS, VARIOUS SEALS LEAK, WIRING DEFECTIVE, TRANSMISSION REPLACED (NOTHING BUT SHARDS OF METAL LEFT--ON DISPLAY AT TRANSMISSION SHOP), TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED, OIL LEAKAGE, LIFETIME BRAKES REPLACED EVERY 6 MONTHS, INSUFFICIENT POWER ON INCLINE, WITH PARKING BRAKE AND FOOT BRAKE ON CAR ROLLS OR LURCHES WHEN IGNITION TURNED OFF, STEERING COLUMN SHAKES VIOLENTLY AT 45 MPH, DIFFICULT TO STEER AT UNDER 45 MPH, DRIVER SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF, TURN SIGNAL DEFECTIVE, SEPARATION OF LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT, WHEELCOVER LOSS DUE TO MISSING OR LOOSE BOLTS, RIM REPLACEMENTS DUE TO TIRES FLYING OFF, OIL LEAK, GLOVE COMPARTMENT LATCH FAILURE, POOR DESIGN WITH NO LIGHTS AROUND LIGHTER, AND OTHER MINOR PROBLEMS. CHRYSLER IS A NEGLIGENT MANUFACTURER AND ALL NEONS SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. *AK
NHTSA ID
759610
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+2 more
Filed Mar 8, 2002
WHILE PARKED, TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED OUT OF VEHICLE. DEALER FOUND TRANSMISSION LINES LOOSE. VEHICLE SHIFTING BY ITSELF DUE TO A STICKY CABLE. OIL LEAK IN ENGINE. DEALER FOUND HEADGASKET FAILURE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ENGINE RUNS ROUGH. CAMSHAFT REPLACED. VEHICLE SHAKES AND TREMBLES WHILE BRAKING. WEATHERSTRIPPING FELL OFF ON DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. ANTIFREEZE LEAKING. DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP. BATTERY CLAMP LOOSE CAUSING BATTERY LIGHT TO STAY ON. *AK *TT
NHTSA ID
8005218
Incident
Apr 20, 2000
ElectricalEngineSeat belts
Filed Sep 4, 2001
VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF WHILE STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. ALSO, BATTERY LIGHT AND SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON.CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER.*AK
NHTSA ID
895675
Incident
Sep 4, 2001
Electrical
Filed May 17, 2001
Crash reported
THAT IS ONLY SOME OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY NEON, THE SPEEDOMETER SENSOR WENT OUT AT 14,000 MILES, THE PAINT HAS BEEN PEELING EVEN AFTER CAR COMPLETELY REPAINTED AT MY COST PAINT PEELED AGAIN VA BEACH DODGE TOLD ME IT IS A DEFECT IN THE METAL AND PAINT THAT THE CAR WOULD HAVE TO BE TREATED WITH A CHEMICAL AND REPAINTED AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME, HEAD GASKET BLEW AND HEAD SEVERLY PITTED MY MECHANIC SAW 5 IN THE WEEK MINE WENT OUT ALL LEAKING FROM THE SAME AREA, ENGINE LOOSES POWER CONSTANTLY, TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEARS AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT WANT TO CHANGE GEARS CAUSING ENGINE TO RACE, CAR OVERHEATS PERIODICLY SINCE HEAD GASKET AND HEAD SHAVED, INTERIOR SENSORS FOR DOORS WORK RANDOMLY BUT MOSTLY DO NOT WORK, BACK UP LIGHTS BLOW OUT EVERY 2 MONTHS, CAM SENSOR BACKS OUT OF ENGINE PERIODICLY, FRONT END MAKES CLUNKING NOISE DURING TURNS WAS TOLD STRUT BEARINGS WERE BAD AND CAUSING NOISE ALTHOUGH AFTER REPLACEMENT NOISE CONTINUES, BRAKES ALWAYS NOISY CLEANING AND REPLACEMENT DOES CLEAR NOISE UP, AIRLEAKS IN WINDOWS OF THE CAR CAUSING NOISY RIDE, CAR DOES NOT LIKE TO START IN COLD WEATHER, POWER LOSS WAS NOT ABLE TO BE CORRECTED EVEN AFTER MECHANIC HAD THE CAR FOR 3 MONTHS AND COULD FIND NOTHING CAUSING IT BUT COULD RECREATE THE PROBLEM, AND AN O-RING ON THE FUEL LINE CONNECTORS TO THE "FUEL ACCUMILATOR" BLOW OUT (HAPPENED 6 TIMES SO FAR) CAUSEING GAS TO POOR OUT ON TO ROAD WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING AND ENGINE TO CUT OUT.. NEONS IN GENERAL ARE LEMONS, CHRYSLER EVEN AFTER CONTACTING OVER SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR REFUSE TO HELP ANY WITH COST OF REPAIRS DUE TO WARRANTY EXPIRED. WOULD LOVE TO GET RID OF THIS CAR BUT CAN NOT DUE TO ONLY TRANSPORTATION AND PUTTING ALL MONEY INTO IT TO FIX IT AND REPAIR CHRYSLER'S DEFECTS IN DESIGN.*AK
NHTSA ID
745476
Incident
Feb 1, 2000
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 4, 2001
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEWOUT. HAD HAPPENED TWICE, AND EACH TIME WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH SPARK PLUGS.*AK
NHTSA ID
887467
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 3, 2001
VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT IF IT WAS SITTING AT STOP LIGHT. DEALER REPLACED JUMPER WIRING AND RADIATOR FAN RELAY.ALSO, MANUFACTURER HAD A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. CONSUMER WILL ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATING TO TSB. *AK
NHTSA ID
887361
Incident
Apr 27, 2001
Body & structureElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Apr 30, 2001
I BOUGHT THIS NEON IN AUGUST OF 1998, IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WORKED ON TWICE. WHEN YOU GO OVER 60MPH THE STEERING WHEEL RATTLES. THE SPEAKERS FOR THE RADIO WORK SOMETIMES. THE OVERHEAD LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN IT RAINS THE FRONT FLOOR BOARDS GET SOAKED WITH WATER. LAST MONTH THE I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE HEADGASKET, AND AFTER SEVERAL CALLS THE THE MANUFACTURER THEY PAID HALF, BUT THE NEXT DAY THE ENGINE STARTED TO KNOCK SEVERLY.
NHTSA ID
744722
Incident
Mar 21, 2001
Electrical
Filed Jan 25, 2001
ALTERNATOR FAILED 6 MILES AFTER WARR. EXP. DEALER REFUSE TO HELP W/ ANY OF COSTS. NOW THE HEAD GASKET SAME FROM DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ID
739948
Incident
Aug 1, 1999
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 22, 2001
SIX MILES OVER MY WARRANTY MY ALTERNATOR WENT OUT. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO FIX IT. MY HEADGASKET WITH LESS THAN 60,000.*AK
NHTSA ID
739796
Incident
Aug 10, 2000
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 24, 2000
FIRST- THE CAR BLEW A HEAD GASKET AT LESS THAN 24000 MILE. NOW WE CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR STALLING. THE FUSE UNDER THE HOOD FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTINUES TO BLOW. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM, I HAVE COMPLETELY REPLACED THE FUEL SYSTEM. IT IS NOW IN THE GARAGE FOR THE EIGHTH TIME. DODGE WILL NOT BACK THEIR PRODUCT AND THE DEALER JUST SENDS THE CAR OUT TO BE REPAIRED, SINCE "THEY CAN NOT FIX IT". THE VIN NUMBER THAT WAS SUBMITTED IS THE NUMBER FROM THE CAR. IT IS COMING UP THE WRONG NUMBER, THIS IS THE ONLY NUMBER I HAVE. *AK
NHTSA ID
736819
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Oct 31, 2000
Crash reported1 injury reported
WELL LETS SEE THE FIRST DEFECT WAS A FAN RELAY WHICH WAS REPLACED 5 TIMES BEFORE A WIRING DEFECT WAS FOUND NEXT WE HAVE "HARD BRAKES" WHICH CONTRIBUITED TO AN ACCIDENT WHICH CAUSED 7000 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE AND 1 MINOR INJURY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WE FOLLOW THAT UP WITH A LEAKY HEAD GASKET WHICH CHRYSLER WAS KIND ENOUGH TO RETURN 1/2 OF MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES ALONG WITH WIRING DEFECTS AND AIR BAGS THAT DON'T COME OUT OTHER THAN THE FACT I HAVE HAD MORE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR THAN EVERY OTHER CARS I HAVE EVER OWNED THEY MADE UP FOR THIS LEMON BY HAVING A BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOO.
NHTSA ID
735533
Incident
May 15, 1998
Body & structureElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Sep 19, 2000
I BOUGHT MY NEON USED (BUT ONLY A YEAR OLD) I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR MY BLINKERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES, MY TRUNK AND BACK FLOORS ARE GETTING DRENCHED (PUDDLES OF WATER 3 INCHES) MY BRAKES ARE SQUALING, MY DOOR LIGHT IS SHORTING MY REVERSE LIGHTS ARE BLOWN MY HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN TWICE. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEM WITH MY FIRES UNDER THE HOOD. THIS CAR IS MADE POORLY. I AM TRYING TO TRADE IT AND IT NOT AS MUCH AS I OWE. TALK TO DEALER BUT DOES NOT SEEM LIKE THEY WANT TO HELP.
NHTSA ID
731841
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 24, 2000
MY SISTER IN TN HAS A NEON THE DEALER FIXED HER HEAD GASKET THESE CARS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY ONE AUTO REPAIR THAT HE FIXES THESE HEAD GASKETS AT LEAST ONE EVERY OTHER WEEK DODGE SHOULD HAVE DONE A RECALL OR AT LEAST FIX THE PROBLEM I CAN NOT GET ANY ONE ON THE PHONE AT CHRYSLER AND I LIVE HERE. THEY SHOULD PAY THE COST THEY KNOW THAT ITS A PROBLEM. THE UP AND DOWN STREAM SENSORS WENT BAD IT COST ME $300. TO FIX. I KNOW A GENTLEMAN THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM HIS WENT BAD TWICE AND THE CAR DEALER PAID FOR HIS. I ON THE OTHER HAND COULD GET NO ONE HELP WITH THIS EITHER. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE PROBLEMS WITH THERE NEON'S AND PAY TO CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER ONE. IF CHRYSLER WANTS ME TO BUY THERE PRODUCT AGAIN THEY NEED TO MAKE THE FIRST ONE RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONCERN.
NHTSA ID
728906
Incident
Nov 3, 1999
ElectricalEngineInterior & seats
Filed Aug 8, 2000
MY CAR HAD EXACTLY 12000 MILES ON IT WHEN PURCHASED. AT AROUND MILE 43000, THE CAR BEGAN TO LEAK OIL. I THEN TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE VALVE COVER GASKET. THE REPAIR WAS TO COST ME $800 UNTIL HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS REOCCURING IN DODGE NEONS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THE DODGE DEALERSHIP TOOK CARE OF IT. THEN, AROUND MILE 70000, THE CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT TREMENDOUSLY, GOING DEAD EVERY TIME THE GAS PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BEGAN TO GO HAYWIRE, THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND AS WELL AS THE THERMOSTAT. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND FOR THIS TO BE MY DEPENDABLE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION, IT IS TRULY A JOKE. THE DODGE CORPORATION SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU!*AK
NHTSA ID
727119
ElectricalEngineVisibility
Filed Jul 2, 2000
THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND HEAD GASKET FAILED. *SLC
NHTSA ID
784723
Incident
Dec 1, 1997
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Apr 7, 2000
MY CAR HAS HAD TO HAVE A CIRCUT BOARD, FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, AND NEW GASKETS AT ONLY TWO YEARS OLD AND 39280 MILES. I FEEL THAT THE CIRCUT BOARD COULD CAUSE CRASH OR INJURY BECAUSE I CANNOT TELL HOW FAST I AM DRIVING OR IF I HAVE GAS IN MY CAR. I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS A NEON WITH THE SAME PROBLEM (CIRCUT BOARD) THAT THEY HAD FIXED JUST THE WEEK BEFORE.
NHTSA ID
711132
Incident
Jun 27, 1999
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 25, 2000
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED OIL LEAKAGE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. VEHCILE HAS ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *AK
NHTSA ID
857588
Incident
Feb 19, 2000
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting+1 more
Filed Feb 17, 2000
IN THE FIST MONTH I HAD THE VEHICLE IT BLEW 4 OXYGEN SENSORS.WHEN YOU GO TO BRAKE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL COMES ON, ALSO THE CAR WILL SHOCK YOU WHEN YOU GET OUT EVEN WHEN IT IS TRUNED OFF. THE LOCKS ON THE SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK SEAT HAS BROKEN OFF FOR NE REASON. THE BACK SE
NHTSA ID
718897
Incident
Jun 1, 1998
Electrical
Filed Sep 16, 1999
BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF. VEHICLE IS HARD TO START DUE TO A SHORT WITHIN IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER HAS TO WAIT UNTIL VEHICLE WILL START UP. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ID
847874
Incident
Mar 12, 1999
Electrical
Filed Sep 15, 1999
THE ATTACHMENT WHICH COVERS THE AIRBAG / HORN ASSEMBLY IS LOOSE AND CAN BE PULLED OFF. *YC
NHTSA ID
845802
Incident
Aug 25, 1999
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own