1996 Plymouth Neon - leaking oil and replaced head gasket - Dodge Neon - also leaking oil and replaced head gasket

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on February 2, 2003:

From: Email User RE: 1996 Plymouth Neon - leaking oil and replaced head gasket - Dodge Neon - also leaking oil and replaced head gasket Silly me. I actually purchased two new 1996 Neons. The Plymouth began leaking oil before it hit 35,000 miles. Under warranty, it was replaced, but continued to leak after only a few months. The dealership again replaced it, but it leaked again. By this time, my warranty had run out. After complaining to DaimlerChrysler, I was given a "deal" they say.

They replaced the head gasket for half price--a cost to me of slightly over $300, and they said the gasket had been redesigned. Of course, they managed to tack on another $140 because they said my battery exploded and had to be replaced when they attempted to recharge it. I guess the mechanics were enjoying my CD player while working. That was about a year ago. My son started driving the car last May and the first thing he noticed was an oil leak. A trip to my local service station let us know it was again the head gasket. I wrote to DaimlerChrysler again. This time I didn't get a phone call appologizing for my troubles. I got a form letter stating I should take it up with my dealership. Not likely. Now for the worst. My second Neon, a Dodge with less than 30,000 miles, is now leaking oil. You guessed it--the head gasket. Warranty ran out last year. But, there is hope. I ran across a site online yesterday. They said there is what they called a "hidden warranty" on those head gaskets. A dealership must agree to replace the gasket for a flat $100. And if you've had the gasket replace elsewhere at your expense, they have to reimburse you part of the amount if the car has less than 100,000 miles on it. I'll be checking into that. My biggest gripe is why wasn't there a recall on these head gaskets? Every place I've taken my car to for repair says the same thing. "There should have been a recall on these bad gaskets." I understand they have redesigned them now, but from my experience, it isn't any better. Unless, of course, my dealership didn't replace it with the new type. I wouldn't be surprised.

I went to two different mechanics hoping to have the Plymouth worked on--neither would even consider replacing the head gasket. They said they had not had much success doing it, and there were too many complaints. So, I'm stuck with a dealership that wants to charge between $600 and $700, with no real guarantee it will stop the leak. Now really. I may be crazy for buying two of these lemons, but I'm not that crazy.

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I just purchased a 1998 Dodge Neon and am having the same problem. Can you tell me who you contacted to get the hidden warranty information. I had the ream main seal replaced, drove the car one day and now have all of my oil in the radiator fluid. Would like to know who to contact. Thanks you can e-mail me at Jerrychristian2006 AT yahoo.com