NHTSA Complaint #10201713 — 2002 DODGE NEON

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE NEON. IN THE FIRST YEAR I HAD THE CAR I HAD THE TYPICAL CAR PROBLEMS BUT NOTHING TOO MAJOR. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY 6 TIMES IN THE CAR, SINCE PURCHASE. IN MAY OF 2006, IS WHEN THE PROBLEMS BEGAN ROLLING IN. MY MAIN COMPUTER HAD DIED IN THE CAR, A $900 REPAIR. AFTER CONTACTING DODGE TO GET A NEW COMPUTER TO PUT IN THE CAR, I HAD TO WAIT FOR 7 MONTHS FOR IT TO BE SHIPPED, DUE TO SUCH A LARGE BACK ORDER. AND THE COMPUTER WAS ONLY SHIPPED AFTER DODGE WAS CALLED AND I HAD THREATENED TO CONTACT THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. THE DAY I HAD PICKED UP THE CAR FROM GETTING THE COMPUTER INSTALLED, MY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. SO I HAD TO REPAIR BOTH OF THEM. ONLY A FEW WEEKS LATER THE CAR WAS YET AGAIN IN THE SHOP FOR YET ANOTHER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW BACK ON, UPON HAVING THE COMPUTER CODE HOOKED UP TO THE CAR, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE IS A TRANSAXLE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE AND AN INCORRECT GEAR RATIO CONDITION IN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. THE CAR WILL NOT GO ABOVE 45 MPH. WHEN I START IT AND PUT IT IN DRIVE IT TAKES A FEW MINUTES FOR THE CAR TO RECOGNIZE THAT ITS IN THE DRIVE GEAR AND WHEN IT FINALLY DOES GO INTO DRIVE THE ENTIRE CAR JERKS. IT WILL DO THAT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THIS WILL NOW BE THE 8TH TIME FROM DECEMBER, 07 TO AUGUST, 07 THAT I HAVE HAD TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE TRANSMISSION. MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD, THERE IS NO REASON ON WHY I SHOULD BE HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS. I HAVE TAKEN CARE OF MY CAR AND IT HAS RECEIVED THE PROPER MAINTENANCE. I HAVE PUT MORE THEN $9000 IN THE CAR SINCE PURCHASE, HAVING TO GO AS FAR AS TO HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER TAKE OUT A SECOND MORTGAGE ON THEIR HOME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. AFTER LOOKING UP COMPLAINTS ONLINE, I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED?? WHY IS IT THAT THE ONLY RECALL ON THE NEON IS THE LIGHTING SYSTEM?? *TR