Plymouth Neon Transmission Problems

Transmission complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  49
• Manual transmission
  17
• Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
  3
• Clutch assembly
  3
• Automatic transmission › Torque converter
  3
• Driveline › Constant velocity joint
  3
• Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
  3
• Axle assembly
  3

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  18%
• 25k–50k
  18%
• 50k–75k
  646%
• 75k–100k
  215%
• 100k–150k
  215%
• 150k+
  18%

What owners report

My 2000 Plymouth Neon felt like it lost power or dropped out of gear. I was able to drive it slowly for about 2 miles to leave it at a safe place. The hose fitting from the transmission to the radiator had completely blown off & the aluminum threads stripped- yet the hose/gasket attached remained in place - the hose had no leaks & the gasket was rusty. The shop installed a new radiator with the fitting attached. Once they topped up the fluids, it still was not drivable - and further upon inspection of the transmission - (the filings in the pan) indicated replacing the transmission ($2200). The remain tran from mopar was faulty and they had to put a new valve body on it to keep it from jumping gears too quickly. Really odd thing is - another 2000 Neon came in while my car was still in the shop, with the exact same blown fitting. …

Engine oil leaks three set of head gaskets/ transmission slipping rebuilt three times/ powersteering pump replaced 2 times / speed contol doesn't work because clocking spring defective in air bag control/ dealer stated tha manufacture would on pay for parts only and the coustomer would have to pay the labor out of the two plus years that I have owned this car it has been in the shop for at least 6 months

I was driving & I heard a "clunk" & a "boom" & then the car shut itself off. After getting out of the car, I realized that there was a puddle of transmission fluid underneath the car. I had a mechanic look at it - there's a hole in the gear box where the transmission shot the park gear right out of the box - he said it had to be a defect. [there's only 16,000 miles on the car] I called Chrysler regarding this [& was treated extremely rudely by their customer service department, might I add.] & they refuse to do anything about this. They told me that because the car is no longer under warantee, the defect is not their problem

When brake is pushed the turn lights would light up and brake lights wouldn't brighten. This was (08/13/01). In 10/10/01 was able to drive forward in reverse and neutral, didn't have a reverse, transmission replaced. In 03/12/02, found oil in the antifreeze reserve and radiator, replaced engine due to head gasket problem. In 04/15/02, transmission doing the same thing back on 10/10/01 , transmission is replaced again. In 10/31/02, transmission replaced for the third time, due to shifting hard, and same problem as 10/10/01 and 04/18/02. Also, at the same time the speed sensor went out so there was no speedometer working. We also had to replace the rear main oil seal because it was leaking and replaced the oil sending unit. ***dims 11 ivoq entry posted after 121/12/02 cut-over to artemis--------769334.

The transmission problem does not seem to affect the handling of the car. The noise occurs after the car is completely warmed up, whether the car is moving or stopped and is heard when the car is in or out of drive. It is a grinding noise. The air bags did not deploy in a collision. The dealership advises that I 'just go buy a battery.' I think it is unreasonable for a car to have these problems after two years, although the mileage is high, these are not hard miles in my opinion.

In heavy rain the car is very hard to steer, I have had to replace the transmission, I have had to replace the 02 sensor, and now the cooling fans don`t work I have also noticed a musty smell when I turn on the air cond. I have also had to replace the EGR valve it is just one thing after another that keeps going wrong with this car.

I contacted Chrysler daimler and was told that there are no recalls on any of the parts that have gone bad on my car, but I read the informaiton about the recalls on the NHTSA site. The same problems are wrong with my car as with the cars that have recalled parts, ie bad transmission, head gasket, and electrical. I have spent 2,200 dollars fixing this car in the past six months, and now there is a rod knocking in the engine. It does not make sense to me that other neons with the same problems have recalled parts, but mine does not. If the parts do not need recalled, then why did they all self destruct? I thank god that I was not stranded with my two year old son in the car. I can't drive my son in my car now because the rod May come completely loose and strand us. Also, I have to drive 15 miles to school four days a week, and don't have a reliable car, anymore. …

Transmission was replaced at about 35,000 miles under warranty, new transmission is beginning to slip. Headgasket has failed twice causing internal damage that the dealership won't admit to. Engine block or other part is cracked, leaking oil into cylinders 1 and 3, problem wasn't corrected last time in shop. Brakes fail regularly, especially under quick stopping attempts, even though the pads/shoes are still good. There is a gas leak that allows fumes to enter the car. EGR valve is broken and won't be fixed under warranty even though it's part of the engine. Paint is chipping on the bottom half of the car and the panels are now rusting. Car stalls in reverse. Car idles roughly even after tune-ups. Heat/ac knobs are cracked due to improper drilling.

Related recalls (1)