NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
17 reportsClear category filter68,000 miles · Apr 29, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
THE FOLLOWING IS, WHAT I CONSIDER A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM WITH THE 2003, 2004 & 2005 DODGE NEON SRT-4 MODEL CARS AND POSSIBLY OTHER MODELS THAT HAVE UNSECURED VACUUM LINES IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I HAVE TWO FIRST-HAND OCCURRENCES OF THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE DID NOT RESULT IN AN INCIDENT, BUT THE SECOND CAUSED DESTRUCTI…
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
NHTSA ODI #10328005
170,000 miles · Nov 13, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE NEON. HE TOOK THE REAR BRAKES APART ON HIS VEHICLE TO INSPECT THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE MAKING GRINDING NOISES. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINING SEPARATED FROM THE BACKING PLATE. ALSO THE ADHESIVE WAS SEPARATING. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA ODI #10292089
60,000 miles · Sep 12, 2009
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAVE A 2003 DODGE NEON SXT. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2008. 6 MONTHS LATER THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT. THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN AT ALL. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS TO THIS. AAMACO SAID THAT THE RADIATOR BLEW WHICH LED TO THE COOLANT AND TRANS. FLUID MIXING TOGETHER AND DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD NO WARRANTY BECAUSE THE CAR WA…
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I HAVE A 2003 DODGE NEON SXT. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2008. 6 MONTHS LATER THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT. THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN AT ALL. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS TO THIS. AAMACO SAID THAT THE RADIATOR BLEW WHICH LED TO THE COOLANT AND TRANS. FLUID MIXING TOGETHER AND DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD NO WARRANTY BECAUSE THE CAR WAS BOUGHT USED. IT COST ME 3500 DOLLARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE CAR IS BURNING FUEL. I AM GETTING ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 17 MPG DEPENDING ON THE DAY. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS, INCLUDING A DEALERSHIP, WHO CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THE WORST PROBLEM YET IS THAT WHEN IT IS RAINING OUTSIDE AND I AM DRIVING THE CAR THERE IS A SMALL THUNKING NOISE, AND THEN A LOUD THUNKING NOISE THAT LOCKS UP THE REAR TIRES AND BRINGS THE CAR TO A SKIDDING HALT. SO FAR, KNOW ON WOOD, NO ACCIDENTS, BUT IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. AGAIN, THE CAR HAS GONE TO SEVERAL MECHANICS WHO CLAIMED THEY FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM. HAVE CHANGED EVERYTHING FROM AXLES, TO BRAKE CYLINDERS AND BRAKES. PAID APPROXIMATELY 1500 DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET, AND THE CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING. I HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN WHO I REFUSE TO DRIVE ANYWHERE IN THIS CAR FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10283767
88,802 miles · Sep 16, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2003 DODGE NEON BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD GO ON REVEALING LOW BRAKE FLUID. PROBLEM RESOLVED BY ADDING BRAKE FLUID AND LIGHT WOULD GO OUT. AFTER TWO INCIDENTS OF CORRECTING SAME PROBLEM CAR WAS DRIVEN AND BRAKES WERE HARD TO PRESS AND DID NOT STOP WITHIN ACCEPTABLE DISTANCES. CAR WAS INSPECTED BY SERVICEMAN AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE L…
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2003 DODGE NEON BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD GO ON REVEALING LOW BRAKE FLUID. PROBLEM RESOLVED BY ADDING BRAKE FLUID AND LIGHT WOULD GO OUT. AFTER TWO INCIDENTS OF CORRECTING SAME PROBLEM CAR WAS DRIVEN AND BRAKES WERE HARD TO PRESS AND DID NOT STOP WITHIN ACCEPTABLE DISTANCES. CAR WAS INSPECTED BY SERVICEMAN AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE LOWER BRAKE LINE FITTING PERPENDICULAR TO THE GROUND AND ATTACHED TO THE MASTER CYLINDERS LEAKED. THE PROBLEM IS THAT YOU ASSUME YOU LOSE BRAKE FLUID BY USE AND IT IS REALLY A LEAK. ADDING FLUID APPEARS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT BY THE TIME YOU RECEIVED A BRAKE LIGHT WARNING AIR HAS ENTERED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND CAUSES A SITUATION WHERE YOUR BRAKE DISTANCED IS COMPROMISED AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS YOU MAY NOT STOP WITHIN THE DISTANCE YOU ARE ACCUSTOMED TO AND THIS MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. TIGHTENING THE FITTINGS DID NOT WORK AT HE TIME OF THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10242401
70,000 miles · Dec 21, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
BACK BRAKES FALL OFF THE PADS AND CAUSES TIRE TO LOCK UP, CAUSING A 360 TURN AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT! THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME AFTER HAVING THE CAR ONE YEAR, ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON THE CAR. SECOND TIME WAS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BACK BRAKES. HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AND SPRINGS ON EACH SIDE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10212479
52,190 miles · Mar 21, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DRUM BRAKE PAD FAILURE. FRICTION MATERIEL SEPARETED FROM METAL BACKING AND CAUSED IMMEDIATE LOCKUP OF RT REAR DRUM BRAKE. VEHICLE TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 5 MPH. COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THAT WOULD HAVE HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE, POSSIBLY FATAL. VEHICLE TYPE 2003 DODGE NEON SXT, MILEAGE 52000. FACTORY ORIGNAL BRAKE PADS…
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DRUM BRAKE PAD FAILURE. FRICTION MATERIEL SEPARETED FROM METAL BACKING AND CAUSED IMMEDIATE LOCKUP OF RT REAR DRUM BRAKE. VEHICLE TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 5 MPH. COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THAT WOULD HAVE HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE, POSSIBLY FATAL. VEHICLE TYPE 2003 DODGE NEON SXT, MILEAGE 52000. FACTORY ORIGNAL BRAKE PADS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10185736
24,699 miles · Dec 29, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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.*AK UPDATED 1/19/2006 - REPAIRS WERE MADE ON 12/28/2005. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10146358
12,000 miles · Jan 27, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicTires
SEVERE SHIMMY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30 MPH. CAR IS TWO YEARS OLD WITH 18K AND HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALER. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT IT NEEDED TIRES REBALANCED. HAD TIRES REBALANCED AT 18,197 MILES. 21K PROBLEM GOT WORSE, WAS TOLD BY DEALER GOODYEAR TIRES WERE NO GOOD AND NEEDED BRAKE ROTORS TURNED. PADS WERE FINE, METALLIC PAD…
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SEVERE SHIMMY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30 MPH. CAR IS TWO YEARS OLD WITH 18K AND HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALER. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT IT NEEDED TIRES REBALANCED. HAD TIRES REBALANCED AT 18,197 MILES. 21K PROBLEM GOT WORSE, WAS TOLD BY DEALER GOODYEAR TIRES WERE NO GOOD AND NEEDED BRAKE ROTORS TURNED. PADS WERE FINE, METALLIC PADS CAUSE ROTOR WARPAGE IN JUST A FEW MILES. REPAIR ESTIMATE ON A TWO YEAR OLD CAR IS $495.00. NO WARRANTY ON BRAKES OR FACTORY TIRES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10108038
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
EVERY 2000 MILES THE CONSUMER HAS TO PUT 2 QUARTS OF OIL IN VEHICLE. THE SPARK PLUG WENT BAD IN THE ENGINE. THE BRAKES SQUEALED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD COME TO A STOP. *BF *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10103887
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ABS BRAKING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10097886
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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