NHTSA Complaint #722668 — 1998 DODGE NEON

UPON INVESTIGATION OF AN OIL LEAK UNDER THE HOOD OF MY 1998 DODGE NEON I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET AND SENDING UNIT. WHEN I CALLED THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP, MARIETTA DODGE, INC., 701 COBB PARKWAY SOUTH, MARIETTA, GA 30062, (770-424-6601) I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SINCE MY AUTO WAS NOT OVER 80,000 MILES THE PART WOULD BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, WHEN I ARRIVED FOR SERVICE I WAS TOLD THAT THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTEE WAS EXPIRED SO THE PART COULD NOT BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. I FEEL THAT THE PART IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND SHOULD BE COVERED REGARDLESS OF THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTEE, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT DID NOT SHOW UP UNTIL THAT PARTICULAR WARRANTEE WAS ALREADY EXPIRED. I SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESSED IN SERVICE BULLETIN # 090899 AND 090997. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE PARTS SINCE THE FAILURE OF SUCH CUTS DOWN ON COMPRESSION AND GAS MILAGE MAKING THE NEON AN UNDESIRABLE AUTOMOBILE. I WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT FOUND THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK THAT HIS COMPANY SEES TWO TO THREE AUTOMOBILES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM PER WEEK. HE IS THE ONE THAT ADVISED ME TO CHECK ON A RECALL SINCE IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE SEALS THAT WERE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE AFTER MY REAR FLOORBOARD WAS GETTING SOAKED EVERYTIME THERE WAS A HEAVY RAIN. AIR CONDITIONER ODOR WHICH WAS ADDRESSED AND TREATED BUT NOT DEPLEATED (SERVICE BULLETIN #241197). I ALSO AM EXPERIENCING BRAKE SQUEAL AND GROANS (SERVICE BULLETIN #051097). I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT MY RECOURSE IS? WHERE DO I GO, WHAT DO I SAY, HOW DO I GET THESE PROBLEMS TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE I RUN OUT OF TIME? *AK