IllustrationVEHICLE PERFORMED POORLY. THE GEARS SLIPPED, VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED. TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED FOUR TIMES, AND THE PERFORMANCE WAS THE SAME.*AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Neon years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
370–25K
2925–50K
3750–75K
3075–100K
18100–150K
8150K+
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
What owners actually said
202 reportsTHE VEHICLE ACCELERATED VERY SLOW WHEN PUT INTO 2ND GEAR. THE RPM HANGS AT 3000; WHILE STOPPED IN NEUTRAL THE IDLE FLUCTUATED FROM 3000-1000 RPM AND THE VEHICLE IDLED VERY ROUGH. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SERVICED THE VEHICLE 5 TIMES, IN WHICH THE SPARKS PLUG, AIR FILTER, OIL FILTER ETC,. HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. T…
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THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED VERY SLOW WHEN PUT INTO 2ND GEAR. THE RPM HANGS AT 3000; WHILE STOPPED IN NEUTRAL THE IDLE FLUCTUATED FROM 3000-1000 RPM AND THE VEHICLE IDLED VERY ROUGH. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SERVICED THE VEHICLE 5 TIMES, IN WHICH THE SPARKS PLUG, AIR FILTER, OIL FILTER ETC,. HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP BEING SERVICED FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. *JB
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD "SQUEAKING NOISE" AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
NEON HAD TO HAVE THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE WITHIN THE TOTAL MILAGE OF 20,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS DELIVERED WITH A DEFECTIVE BATTERY TEMPERATURE SENSOR, AND 1 MONTH BEFORE THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE IT WAS IN THE SHOP AND THE MECHANIC FAILED TO REPLACE THE BATTERY TIEDOWN BAR. ON AUGUST 26, 2004 THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE TH…
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NEON HAD TO HAVE THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE WITHIN THE TOTAL MILAGE OF 20,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS DELIVERED WITH A DEFECTIVE BATTERY TEMPERATURE SENSOR, AND 1 MONTH BEFORE THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE IT WAS IN THE SHOP AND THE MECHANIC FAILED TO REPLACE THE BATTERY TIEDOWN BAR. ON AUGUST 26, 2004 THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE THE IGNITION WAS OFF AND WAS DRIVEN FOR ONLY 5 MILES. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A BAD PASSANGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE. MANY PASSANGERS COMPLAINED OF IT BEING DIFFICULT TO INSERT THE BELT INTO THE LOCKING MECHANISM.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER TO SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE SHE WAS ON HER WAY TO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE SHE EXPERIENCED SOME FUNNY THINGS WITH VEHICLE. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH ONE OF THE WHEELS LOCKED, AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. ALSO, IT SMELLED LIKE BURNING RUBBER. CONSUMER STATED THAT LATER IT UNLOCKED BY ITSELF AND POWERED ITSELF UP, AND THEN TOOK OFF. NOTHING EL…
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CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE SHE WAS ON HER WAY TO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE SHE EXPERIENCED SOME FUNNY THINGS WITH VEHICLE. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH ONE OF THE WHEELS LOCKED, AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. ALSO, IT SMELLED LIKE BURNING RUBBER. CONSUMER STATED THAT LATER IT UNLOCKED BY ITSELF AND POWERED ITSELF UP, AND THEN TOOK OFF. NOTHING ELSE HAPPENED AGAIN. SHE WAS AT DOCTOR'S OFFICE WHERE SHE PARKED FOR 2 HOURS. AFTERWARD SHE GOT BACK INTO VEHICLE TO RETURN HOME, AND THE VEHICLE DID THE SAME IDENTICAL THING AFTER ABOUT 20 MILES. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED AFTER PUTTING COOLANT IN THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER INSISTED THAT SHE NEEDED HELP BECAUSE SHE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. *AK VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. *TS
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.*AK SCREW ON CLIP ON THROTTLE HOSE CAME OFF, CAUSINGAIR TO RUSH IN REV UP THE ACCELRATOR AND CAUSED BRAKE FAILURE.*TS
I BOUGHT MY 2003 NEON WITH 18,000 MILES. IMMEDIATELY I NOTICED THE CAR SHIFTED HARD AND SOMETIMES WHEN PUTTING INTO GEAR WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE. I TOOK TO MY DEALERSHIP ON 3 OCCASSIONS, ONCE IN 08/03, ONCE IN 12/03, AND ONCE IN 03/04. ALL THREE TIMES I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR SHIFTED FINE AND THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE "DUP…
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I BOUGHT MY 2003 NEON WITH 18,000 MILES. IMMEDIATELY I NOTICED THE CAR SHIFTED HARD AND SOMETIMES WHEN PUTTING INTO GEAR WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE. I TOOK TO MY DEALERSHIP ON 3 OCCASSIONS, ONCE IN 08/03, ONCE IN 12/03, AND ONCE IN 03/04. ALL THREE TIMES I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR SHIFTED FINE AND THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE "DUPLICATED". ON 08/04/03, I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHNE MY TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND RENDERED MY CAR INOPERABLE AND IMMOBILE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE. I WAS GIVEN A TOTALLY NEW TRANSMISSION UNIT. SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SHIFTING FUNNY AND IT ALSO HESITATES A LOT, ESPECIALLY IN THE LATE AFTERNOON WHEN IT IS FAIRLY WARM OUT.*AK
WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THE ONLY RESPONSE HE RECEIVED WAS A LETTER DENYING THE CLAIM THAT COLLISION WAS OFFSET. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD/KNEE/CHEST INJURIES, AND SHATTERED GLASS UNDER THE SKIN. *AK
Official recalls
0No 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
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.