All,

I recently purchased a 2002 Neon with 160,000 miles on the car. I have had the car at the Dodge dealer with transmission problems twice, once for the radiator leaking into the transmission and once for a shifter solenoid replacement. I really like the car but have read a great deal about transmission failures with this model. My questions to the Neon experts would be:

1. Are the transmission problems a result of improper maintenance of the car by the original owner?

2. Are the transmission problems caused by poor design?

3. I have read a number of articles about aftermarket transmission coolers and their benefits. Is there any value in having one installed?

4. I have always believed the dealer is the best place to take a car for service. Is this especially true for Dodge vehicles? I read a great deal on this forum about original Mopar products.

I realize this is a high mileage car and I expect to have to put some money into the car. Any investment is bound to cheaper than buying a new car.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

1. Usually, yes, as are most problems.

2. Yes (they are Dodge autos); 2002 being the "worst" year for the Neons. It's the first year they switched to an electronic transmission, so it has the "first year" problems.

3. Yes; if the transmission isn't connected to the radiator, the radiator fittings can't break and cause the antifreeze to mix into the ATF and destroy the transmission.

4. Not necessarily. I'm a believer in OEM parts where necessary though, like sensors and certain ignition pieces and so on.

 

Thank you for the advice.

 

lol people are soo bad with maintenance dealers have stopped putting dipsticks on them cause people never check em anyways lol