NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
48 reportsClear category filter61,000 miles · Apr 2, 2007
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
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 NOTICED A FUNNY…
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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 NOTICED A FUNNY SMELL AND WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF MY STEERING COLUMN. SO I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. EVERY TIME YOU TURNED IT BACK ON, THE STEERING COLUMN GOT VERY HOT AND WHITE SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF IT. I THEN PROCEEDED TO TAKE IT TO MY DEALER. THERE WAS SOME MELT DOWN INSIDE OF MY STEERING COLUMN, WHICH CAME FROM THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. MY CAR INSURANCE AND MY WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE DAMAGE, WHICH TOTALED $630. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10186788
52,500 miles · Feb 27, 2007
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE 2003 DODGE NEON WITH 52500 FAILURE MILEAGE THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS WAS A FAILURE IN THE WIRING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53000 MILES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10183656
49,500 miles · Jan 2, 2007
Exterior Lighting
RECENTLY I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 DODGE NEON SXT GOING TO DROP MY KIDS OFF AT MY PARENTS HOUSE. WHEN I DROPPED THEM OFF MY HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS WERE WORKING FINE. AFTER DROPPING THEM OFF I GOT BACK INTO MY CAR AND STARTED IT AND WENT TO TURN MY HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS BACK ON ONLY TO FIND THAT THEY DIDN'T WORK! MY PARKING LI…
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RECENTLY I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 DODGE NEON SXT GOING TO DROP MY KIDS OFF AT MY PARENTS HOUSE. WHEN I DROPPED THEM OFF MY HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS WERE WORKING FINE. AFTER DROPPING THEM OFF I GOT BACK INTO MY CAR AND STARTED IT AND WENT TO TURN MY HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS BACK ON ONLY TO FIND THAT THEY DIDN'T WORK! MY PARKING LIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS WORKED BUT THE LOW BEAMS AND FOG LIGHTS DIDN'T AND STILL DON'T. I HAVE CHECKED THE FUSES, THE LIGHT BULBS AND I EVEN CHECKED THE SWITCH AND THEY ALL LOOKED GREAT AND FROM WHAT I CAN TELL THE WIRING LOOKS GOOD. I BELONG TO A NEON CLUB ON THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I CHECKED ON THE INTERNET FOR A RECALL ON THE 03' NEON AND I FOUND ONE FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING BUT WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WASN'T AFFECTED BY THE RECALL AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET THE CAR FIXED. A CAR THIS NEW SHOULD NOT BE HAVING PROBLEMS LIKE THIS I CAN UNDERSTAND SOME GENERAL MAINTENANCE SURE BUT NOT BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS NOT WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. MY HIGH BEAMS WORK IF I HOLD THEM ON BUT IF I LET GO OF THE SWITCH THEY TURN OFF. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10177622
50,500 miles · Dec 31, 2006
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
2003 DODGE NEON SRT-4 MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FAILURE. THE WIRING CONNECTOR TO THE SWITCH IS MELTED. LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN ON. CAN PROVIDE PICTURES. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10177419
52,000 miles · Nov 28, 2006
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHT FAILURE DUE TO MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH , AND IT'S COSTING $456 TO REPAIR AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10174512
78,000 miles · Nov 6, 2006
Exterior Lighting
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER TO CHANGE THE MODULE SWITCH AND HARNESS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10172796
62,000 miles · Oct 14, 2006
Exterior Lighting
2003 DODGE NEON LIGHTS WENT OUT AND STARTED SEEING SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DASH ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE WHERE THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH IS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10170809
54,000 miles · Oct 10, 2006
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire
MULTI-FUNCTION LIGHT SWITCH ON THE COLUMN CAUSING WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR TO MELT AND CATCH FIRE. BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS WOULD COME ON FOR NO REASON AND NOT GO OFF. BACK OF SWITCH ITSELF GETTING VERY HOT. REPLACED THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS, CANNOT TURN HEADLIGHTS ON FOR EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME OR CONNECTOR …
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MULTI-FUNCTION LIGHT SWITCH ON THE COLUMN CAUSING WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR TO MELT AND CATCH FIRE. BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS WOULD COME ON FOR NO REASON AND NOT GO OFF. BACK OF SWITCH ITSELF GETTING VERY HOT. REPLACED THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS, CANNOT TURN HEADLIGHTS ON FOR EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME OR CONNECTOR MELTS AND CATCHES FIRE AGAIN. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10170418
63,800 miles · Sep 26, 2006
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
MY MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH ON MY 2003 DODGE NEON SHORT CIRCUITED AND MELTED THE PLUG THAT IT CONNECTS TO I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE AND SEARCHED MULTIPLE JUNK YARDS FOR THE PLUG AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND ONE DODGE CHARGES $1100 FOR THE WIRING HARNESS I HAVE NO LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS OR FOG LIGHTS AND CANNOT AFFORD THE PLUG FROM TH…
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MY MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH ON MY 2003 DODGE NEON SHORT CIRCUITED AND MELTED THE PLUG THAT IT CONNECTS TO I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE AND SEARCHED MULTIPLE JUNK YARDS FOR THE PLUG AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND ONE DODGE CHARGES $1100 FOR THE WIRING HARNESS I HAVE NO LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS OR FOG LIGHTS AND CANNOT AFFORD THE PLUG FROM THE DEALERSHIP NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX MY PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10169365
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2006
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
THE PROBLEMS FIRST STARTED WHEN THE FOG LIGHTS ON MY 2003 DODGE NEON HAD STARTED TO COME ON EVEN WHEN THE SWITCH WAS OFF. THEY WOULD DO THIS ANY TIME I TURNED THE WHEEL, OR WENT OVER A BUMP. THIS HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR ALMOST 6 MONTHS. THEN ABOUT A WEEK AGO, MY LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE LEVER WOULDN'T CLICK WHEN I HIT IT TO …
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THE PROBLEMS FIRST STARTED WHEN THE FOG LIGHTS ON MY 2003 DODGE NEON HAD STARTED TO COME ON EVEN WHEN THE SWITCH WAS OFF. THEY WOULD DO THIS ANY TIME I TURNED THE WHEEL, OR WENT OVER A BUMP. THIS HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR ALMOST 6 MONTHS. THEN ABOUT A WEEK AGO, MY LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE LEVER WOULDN'T CLICK WHEN I HIT IT TO TURN THEM OFF. THEY CONTINUED TO STAY ON, AND THEN WOULD TURN OFF WHEN THEY WANTED TO. AFTER ABOUT A DAY I WAS DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY LIGHTS TURNED OFF, AND WOULD NOT GO BACK ON. IF THERE WERE NO STREET LIGHTS, I COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO A SEVERE ACCIDENT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10168307
NHTSA investigations
3EA06019 · 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.
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