KnownCarProblems2003 Dodge Neon Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 202 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Dodge Neon, most often about the electrical (36% of complaints, typically around 60,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Neon model year since 2000.
Most common 2003 Dodge Neon problems
Electrical
72 complaints · 36%Half of these problems showed up before 60,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery, horn.
Sometime last year I was having trouble with my fog lights. I would turn the switch to turn them on, but they would not turn on. I went to the dealer several times to get them fixed. I don't remember what the problem was, but they temporarily fixed them each time. Then about 1 week ago, I was driving my car and I…
At 60,000 miles my 2003 Dodge Neon r/t started smoking from the steering column. At the time I thought it was dust caught by the sunlight and since nothing appeared to be wrong with my car, I forgot about it - one week later- I started by car and my headlights wouldn't work, concerned and remembering the "dust in the…
Lights
48 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, hazard flashing warning lights, fog lights, turn signal.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Dodge Neon. While driving various speeds at night, the contact noticed that the headlights would flicker sporadically and the passenger side fog light failed. She had the fog light repaired, but it failed again six months later. Several months after that, the interior lighting failed. She took…
My 2003 Dodge Neon srt-4 was making a funny smell at night then my lights went out and they would only work with my bright switch pulled back. I pulled apart and saw that my switch to my multifunction switch was burnt. I went to Dodge and they told me it was not covered under warranty. So I bought a new multifunction…
Transmission
28 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 45,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, clutch assembly.
Vehicle performed poorly. The gears slipped, vehicle hesitated and jerked. Transmission was serviced four times, and the performance was the same.
Bought car new and I am meticulous about it's maintenance. Oil seal in manual transmission has failed twice now. Once in 2004 with about 10,000 mi. On the car with no damage to clutch disc and again now in 2008 with 45,000 mi. This time the clutch disc was contaminated with oil and was not included in the repair under…
Air bags
20 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Vehicle was involved in an accident where another vehicle turned left in front of my sister (who was driving my car) and she was going 40 MPH. My vehicle was hit almost head on. And the driver side front fender. Neither air bag deployed. My sister has multiple head, neck and back injuries.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Dodge Neon. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact was involved in a severe crash and the vehicle was destroyed. The driver side seat belt did not properly secure her and she struck the steering column. None of the air bags deployed. Prior to the crash, the contact never saw any air bag…
Engine
18 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, exhaust system, engine.
The spark plug has repeatedly flown out of the engine, it has been fixed multiple times. There was a sleeve put in to keep it in place one time, another time the cylinder head was replaced, the final time I'm being told I need a new engine. I also had to get the catalytic converter replaced once. I've had to track…
I am the 2nd hand owner of this vehicle. I have been in possession of it for about a year and 1/2 have meticulously maintained it and it has 55,000 mile on it. Recently the transmission became rather jumpy and it was to go into service but the day before I was to schedule an appointment it was more jumpy than usual…
Brakes
18 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 28,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, disc.
The accelerator stuck and the brakes failed. Dealer contacted the manufacturer, who reported that the throttle screw was loose, and they were inspecting the vehicle. Screw on clip on throttle hose came off, causingair to rush in rev up the accelrator and caused brake failure.
Dt: the contact stated while driving and when taking foot off the brake pedal the brake light illuminated in the dashboard. He took the vehicle to a dealership to have it checked, and they found the brake cylinders were leaking. No repairs were made. Updated 1/19/2006 - repairs were made on 12/28/2005.
Body and structure
11 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
While parked in the rain, water was leaking from top of drivers-side door, soaking the driver-side floor to a point that squishing sounds could be heard, also during rain, the drivers-side of the trunk leaked & it soaked enough water to be able to soak a cloth & squeeze water out. This has been an ongoing issue.
We purchased the vehicle about 2 years ago from a used car dealership. About a week after we bought it, the check engine light came on, and we also noticed that the trunk was leaking and had so much water in it that mushrooms were literally growing under the carpet. No one could fix the trunk leak. We had to take the…
Wheels and tires
9 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 55,500 miles. Parts named most often: rim, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Dodge Neon. The vehicle has falken, size 18565r15 tires. While driving 65 MPH, the rear driver side tire blew out. The tire was replaced with a spare. The road conditions were normal. The dot number was unknown. The tire failure mileage was 300. The vehicle current and failure mileages were…
I have a 2003 Dodge Neon with yokohama tires that are 185/60/15. I bought 4 tires and in a month in a half 2 of them both one that was a left front at highway speed the tire blew out the sidewalls. The other one that was on the rear left blew out 3 weeks earlier at highway seeds the sidewalls. I personally has to pay…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Dodge Neon recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Headlight failure
Summary
This ea was opened after receiving reports that the multifunction switch on these vehicles would fail, causing a loss of headlight illumination.some complainants report loss of headlight function while for others temporary lighting was available by pulling on the multifunction switch stalk to illuminate high beam lighting.analysis of the complaint and warranty data show a low and declining failure trend.further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted; accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the cir
Headlight failure
Summary
Odi has reviewed complaints from consumers stating that they do not have headlight function while operating their vehicle.the reports indicate that a loss of both high and low beam headlights is the result of problems with the vehicles multifunction switch and connecting wiring harness.consumersnoticed that the steering column area (where these parts are located) is heating up.in some cases, smoke would come out of the steering column area and the plastic trim would begin to melt.this investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea06-019) to further study this issue.
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Summary
There are no injuries or fatalities associated with this alleged defect.while conducting this investigation, odi found that the subject cinches meet the load bearing requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, and that many of the reported failures were due to incorrect child safety seat installations. Additionally, the report rate is low (1.60/100k).the information available fails to establish the existence of a defect trend at this time.further allocation of agency resources to this issue is unwarranted and the preliminary evaluation is being closed.
Questions about the 2003 Dodge Neon
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge Neon?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (72 complaints, typically around 60,500 miles); lights (48 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles); transmission (28 complaints, typically around 45,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Neon have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Dodge Neon. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Dodge Neon?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Neon model year since 2000, with 202 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.