NHTSA Complaint #10037442 — 2002 DODGE NEON

WHILE DRIVING A 2002 NEON, EITHER THE TRANSMISSION/BRAKES LOCKED UP ON THE CAR, STOPPING ABRUBTLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING ON INTERSTATE 400 IN ATLANTA, GA. DUE TO THE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE AUTO, MY DAUGHTER'S AUTO WAS THEN REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER CAR. BOTH AUTOS WERE TOTALLLED, NEITHER DRIVER WAS CHARGED WITH THE ACCIDENT, BUT SHE WAS WRITTEN UP "MECHANICAL FAILURE" ON THE ACCIDENT REPORT. I BELIEVE THAT THE NEON AUTO ITSELF WAS AT FAULT/DEFECTIVE. I HAVE ANOTHER 2002 NEON WHICH JUST HAD TO BE REPAIRED AUGUST 1-8TH, 2003 FOR THE "TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP AND SHUTTING DOWN" AND HAD TO HAVE THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED. I LOCATED A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM CHRYSLER ON THE INTERNET WHICH DESCRIBED THIS CONDITION THAT WAS OCCURING IN THE 2001-2002 NEONS. I BELIEVE CHRYSLER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO THIS ACCIDENT. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM, BUT THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT IT WILL TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 3-5 MONTHS TO EVEN INVESTIGATE AND REACH ANY CONCLUSION.*AK