2003 Dodge Neon problems
Owners have filed 290 complaints about the 2003 Dodge Neon with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 25.2% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of exterior lighting at 19%.
Complaints290
Crashes31
Fires35
Injuries33
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 25.2% · 73
Exterior lighting 19.0% · 55
Power train 9.7% · 28
Engine and engine cooling 7.2% · 21
Air bags 6.9% · 20
Service brakes, hydraulic 6.2% · 18
Structure 3.8% · 11
Suspension 3.1% · 9
Severity
Of those complaints, 31 describe a crash, 35 describe a fire, 33 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 11 model years of the Dodge Neon in this data, 2003 sits 6th by complaint volume. 1995 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 6 in the last three years against 25 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 54,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Headlights, fog lights stopped operating, high beams will not stay on, must hold down the lever, multi-function switch connector melted. Car is inoperative until a fix is made. I have a 2003 Dodge Neon sxt. This seems to be a common defect with my year/make/model of car. Please institute a recall for this problem. To fix the defective part runs approximately $1,000 - $3,000 to fix by dealer. Please issue recall. Electrical system · reported at 55,540 miles
Dt: the vehicle caught on fire from the wiring under the dashboard. This happened on september 6, 2005, contacted the dealer, and they were going to investigate it, but have not done so. The vehicle cut off, and smoke came out from under the dash. Then , the vehicle turned on four times by itself while consumer holding the key in hand. The horn started blowing and windshield wipers came on. Electrical system · reported at 75,760 miles
Dt: the contact stated the engine stalled and died at highway speeds. When this occurred there was total loss of power. The vehicle would not restart. The vehicle had to be towed to a dealer. The dealer replaced the battery, alternator, and the power train control module. The dealer has been unable to accurately diagnose the problem. No further repairs have been made at this time. Electrical system · reported at 33,136 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…