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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.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
202Owner complaints

Model-year median: 173

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

3Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2003 Dodge Neon

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 202 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 3 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Electrical System: 72 reports
  • Exterior Lighting: 48 reports
  • Power Train: 28 reports
  • Air Bags: 20 reports
  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 18 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    337
    2000    146
    2001    173
    2002    202
    2003    94
    2004    95
    2005
    Compare all Neon years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Electrical System
    72    Exterior Lighting
    48    Power Train
    28    Air Bags
    20    Engine And Engine Cooling
    18
    All reported categories
    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    17    Structure
    11    Suspension
    9    Fuel System, Gasoline
    8    Steering
    8    Vehicle Speed Control
    7    Tires
    6    Seat Belts
    5    Unknown Or Other
    5    Visibility
    3    Wheels
    3    Child Seat
    2    Equipment
    1    Fuel System, Other
    1    Fuel/propulsion System
    1    Interior Lighting
    1    Latches/locks/linkages
    1    Seats
    1    Service Brakes, Air
    1    Visibility/wiper
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    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

    Tires complaints

    6 reports
    Clear category filter
    81,020 miles · Jun 14, 2010
    Tires

    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 OUT OF POCK…

    Read full complaint

    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 OUT OF POCKET TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10336335

    135,000 miles · Sep 9, 2009
    Tires

    CUPPING OF TIRES NOT ASSOCIATED WITH NORMAL WEAR OR VEHICLE - VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE BAD ALIGNMENT, OR SHOCKS, ISSUE BEGAN AT APPROXIMATELY 20K MILES ON TIRES SOLD FOR 60K MILES. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10283442

    82,000 miles · May 19, 2008
    TiresCrashInjury

    HIGH SPEED BLOW OUT AFFTER ONLY 3 1/2 MONTHS TOTALED MY CAR ON TOP OF IT. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10228238

    30,000 miles · Sep 24, 2007
    Tires

    TL*THE 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 30,0…

    Read full complaint

    TL*THE 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 30,000.

    NHTSA ODI #10203971

    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…

    Read full complaint

    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 · Jan 15, 2004
    Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicCrashFire

    I WAS IN A SMALL COLLISION AT THE SPEED OF 10 MPH OR LESS. I REAR ENDED A FORD F150 TRUCK BECAUSE MY BRAKES SKIDED ON THE ROAD, MY 2003 NEON FISHTAILED, AND I HIT THE BUMPER OF THE TRUCK. MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT WAS SMASHED, AND MY RADIATOR WAS ALSO BROKEN. AFTER 3 MINUTES MY ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND MY ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN F…

    Read full complaint

    I WAS IN A SMALL COLLISION AT THE SPEED OF 10 MPH OR LESS. I REAR ENDED A FORD F150 TRUCK BECAUSE MY BRAKES SKIDED ON THE ROAD, MY 2003 NEON FISHTAILED, AND I HIT THE BUMPER OF THE TRUCK. MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT WAS SMASHED, AND MY RADIATOR WAS ALSO BROKEN. AFTER 3 MINUTES MY ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND MY ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FIRE WITHIN 5 MINUTES AFTER THE COLLISION. MY AIRBAG ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT GO OFF, I DIDN'T HIT THE TRUCK AT A HIGHSPEED, YET MY CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES. EVERYTHING IN THE CAR WAS MELTED, AND I THINK THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE. HAD I HIT A TRUCK OR BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER LARGE OR SMALL CAR, I HATE TO WONDER WHAT WOULD OF HAPPENED THEN. WOULD I OF MADE IT OUT IN TIME BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, OR WOULD IT BLOW UP ON IMPACT?! NEONS ARE NOT SAFE, AND I THINK THIS CAR WILL CATCH ON FIRE AT ANY SPEED. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE CAR THAT SHOWS THE DAMAGE FROM THE COLLISION, AND YOU WOULDN'T EVER THINK THE SMALL DAMAGE COULD CATCH THIS CAR ON FIRE.

    NHTSA ODI #10071051

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect 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.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.