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2003 Dodge Neon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Dodge Neon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 173.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

159 reports with mileage · 43 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports20 fire reports17 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

48 reports
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79,002 miles · Apr 16, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

MY HEADLIGHTS AND FOGLIGHTS WOULD PERIODICALLY SHUT OFF OR NOT COME ON. THEN ONLY THE BRIGHTS WOULD WORK AND WHILE DRIVING WOULD SHUT OFF ALTOGETHER. FINALLY THE HEADLIGHTS AND FOGLIGHTS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. THE MARKER LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS STILL WORK, BUT I HAVE NO ILLUMINATION AHEAD OF ME. IT REQUIRED A SWITCH AND CONNECTOR…

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MY HEADLIGHTS AND FOGLIGHTS WOULD PERIODICALLY SHUT OFF OR NOT COME ON. THEN ONLY THE BRIGHTS WOULD WORK AND WHILE DRIVING WOULD SHUT OFF ALTOGETHER. FINALLY THE HEADLIGHTS AND FOGLIGHTS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. THE MARKER LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS STILL WORK, BUT I HAVE NO ILLUMINATION AHEAD OF ME. IT REQUIRED A SWITCH AND CONNECTOR CHANGE. SO FAR THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER NEONS THAT HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM AND THE DEALER REFUSES TO HELP US IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM. THE OLD PARTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR EXAMINATION AND THE OEM BULBS ARE STILL AROUND AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10265681

67,500 miles · Nov 9, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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 SWITCH AND …

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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 SWITCH AND PLUG. I DO HAVE ALL THE OLD PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248209

78,000 miles · Oct 18, 2008
Exterior Lighting

2003 DODGE NEON, LOW BEAMS QUIT WORKING A FEW WEEKS LATER THE FOG LIGHTS BECAME INTERMITTENT, THEN EVENTUALLY QUIT WORKING TOO. UPON EXAMINATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CONNECTOR THAT ATTACHES TO THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IS MELTING FROM BEING OVERHEATED DURING HEADLAMP/FOGLAMP USE. DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DOES N…

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2003 DODGE NEON, LOW BEAMS QUIT WORKING A FEW WEEKS LATER THE FOG LIGHTS BECAME INTERMITTENT, THEN EVENTUALLY QUIT WORKING TOO. UPON EXAMINATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CONNECTOR THAT ATTACHES TO THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IS MELTING FROM BEING OVERHEATED DURING HEADLAMP/FOGLAMP USE. DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ON IT. A REPAIR KIT IS AVAILABLE, THE DESCRIPTION FOR WHICH CLEARLY INDICATES THAT DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. RESEARCH ALSO REVEALS THAT THE SAME REPAIR KIT IS INDICATED FOR SEVERAL OTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCTS EXHIBITING SIMILAR DESIGN DEFICIENCIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245873

75,000 miles · Oct 17, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WHEN I USE MY HEADLIGHTS FOR 15-20 MINUTES, I BEGIN TO SMELL A BURNT PLASTIC SMELL AND NOTICE THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL GETS VERY WARM. AFTER 20-30 MINUTES OF HEADLIGHT USE THE LOW BEAMS JUST GO DEAD, IT "AUTOMATICALLY" SWITCHES TO HIGH BEAMS IMMEDIATELY. IF I TRY TO TURN IT BACK DOWN TO LOW BEAMS, EVERYTHING GOES DAR…

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WHEN I USE MY HEADLIGHTS FOR 15-20 MINUTES, I BEGIN TO SMELL A BURNT PLASTIC SMELL AND NOTICE THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL GETS VERY WARM. AFTER 20-30 MINUTES OF HEADLIGHT USE THE LOW BEAMS JUST GO DEAD, IT "AUTOMATICALLY" SWITCHES TO HIGH BEAMS IMMEDIATELY. IF I TRY TO TURN IT BACK DOWN TO LOW BEAMS, EVERYTHING GOES DARK (*VERY* DANGEROUS AT NIGHT!). THEN I AM FORCED TO USE HIGH BEAMS AND BLIND EVERYONE ELSE FOR THE REST OF MY TRIP, OR I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND LET THE APPARENT CAUSE (THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH) COOL OFF FOR AN ETERNITY BEFORE RESUMING MY TRIP. I'M HIGHLY UNCOMFORTABLE KNOWING THAT MY CAR HAS PLASTIC BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE VERGE OF ERUPTING INTO FLAMES WHEN I USE MY HEADLIGHTS. I ALSO CONSIDER IT EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS, NOT ONLY FOR THE FIRE RISK, BUT ALSO THE LOW BEAMS DYING SUDDENLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245799

70,000 miles · Jun 4, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WIRING MELTED IN STEERING COLUMN AND HEAD LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. HAD TO HAVE DEALER REPAIR WIRING, REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229930

80,000 miles · May 1, 2008
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH BEAMS, HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED, BUT FAILED AGAIN APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER. THERE WAS AN OPENED AND CLOSED INVESTIGATION (EA06019) FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10226397

50,000 miles · Apr 16, 2008
Exterior Lighting

MY HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON ONE MORNING. I TOOK THE STEERING COLUMN APART AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRING PLUG WAS MELTED. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE NEONS AND THE WIRING AS WELL AS THE LIGHT SWITCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224696

80,000 miles · Jan 29, 2008
Exterior Lighting

I WAS USING MY HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS AND SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM MY STEERING COLUMN. I SHUT OFF MY LIGHTS AND A FEW MINUTES LATER THE SMOKE STOPPED. THAT EVENING MY HEADLIGHTS LOST FUNCTION AND ONLY MY HIGH BEAMS WOULD WORK. MY HIGH BEAMS NOW FLICKER AND I'M FEARING THOSE WILL LOSE FUNCTION AS WELL.…

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I WAS USING MY HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS AND SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM MY STEERING COLUMN. I SHUT OFF MY LIGHTS AND A FEW MINUTES LATER THE SMOKE STOPPED. THAT EVENING MY HEADLIGHTS LOST FUNCTION AND ONLY MY HIGH BEAMS WOULD WORK. MY HIGH BEAMS NOW FLICKER AND I'M FEARING THOSE WILL LOSE FUNCTION AS WELL. WHEN REMOVING THE PANEL BENEATH MY STEERING COLUMN I LOOKED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND ALL I COULD SEE IS THAT ONE OF WIRING HARNESSES IS MELTED. I'VE LOOKED AT OTHER INVESTIGATIONS THAT RELATE INCLUDING EA06019 AND PE06028. *CN

NHTSA ODI #10216359

70,000 miles · Jan 28, 2008
Exterior LightingInterior Lighting

TL*THE 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 THE …

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TL*THE 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 THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ODI #10216264

77,500 miles · Sep 2, 2007
Exterior Lighting

I WOULD LIKE TO ADD A COMPLAINT TO THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA06019. I HAVE A 2003 DODGE NEON AND THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FOR MY HEAD LIGHTS HAS FAILED TWICE. IN BOTH CASES I NOTICED A PLUME OF SMOKE COME OUT OF MY STEERING COLUMN AND WITH IN TWO WEEKS I LOST MY LOW BEAMS AND THEN MY HIGH BEAMS FAILED A WEEK OR SO LATER. THE …

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I WOULD LIKE TO ADD A COMPLAINT TO THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA06019. I HAVE A 2003 DODGE NEON AND THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FOR MY HEAD LIGHTS HAS FAILED TWICE. IN BOTH CASES I NOTICED A PLUME OF SMOKE COME OUT OF MY STEERING COLUMN AND WITH IN TWO WEEKS I LOST MY LOW BEAMS AND THEN MY HIGH BEAMS FAILED A WEEK OR SO LATER. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY THE FIRST TIME THAT IT FAILED. THE SECOND TIME (WHICH HAPPENED THIS PAST WEEK) MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND I MUST NOW PAY TO HAVE THE MULTIFUNCTIONS SWITCH REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10201718

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA06019 · Headlight Failure

Opened Nov 22, 2006 · Closed Nov 7, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:fog Lights; Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

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 CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Exterior Lighting:fog Lights

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 CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch

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 CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Exterior Lighting:headlights

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 CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

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 CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

PE06028 · Headlight Failure

Opened Jul 28, 2006 · Closed Nov 22, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:fog Lights; Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

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.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Exterior Lighting:fog Lights

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.

Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch

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.

Exterior Lighting:headlights

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.

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

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.

PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate

Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

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.