- The problem
- Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
- The risk
- Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on may 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
Vehicle safety record
2003 Dodge Neon Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 202 complaints about the 2003 Dodge Neon with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (72) and the lights (48). Those complaints describe 23 crashes, 20 fires, 25 injuries and 1 death. It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in April 2009 for the exterior lighting. For comparison, the 2002 has 184 and the 2004 has 94.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Neon year, for its age
#68 most complained-about 2003 vehicle
- Complaints
- 202
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 23
- Fires
- 20
- Injuries
- 25
- Deaths
- 1
Most common 2003 Dodge Neon problems
Share of all 202 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2003 Dodge Neon recalls 5
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- The risk
- Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact k2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.
- The problem
- Federal mogul is recalling 6,903 aftermarket ball joint assemblies shipped between november 9, 2007 and march 26, 2008, which may have been packaged with incorrect nuts. The part numbers packaged with incorrect nuts are: k7147, k7329, k8683, and 104353. These parts were made for use on the various vehicles listed above.
- The risk
- The nuts included in the packaging for these ball joint assemblies are missing the intended prevailing torque (self-locking) feature. If the incorrect nut was to become loose, the joining members may loosen leading to a separation of the ball joint. This may result in loss of vehicle control, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Federal mogul will notify owners and replace the parts free of charge. The recall began on may 22, 2008. Owners can contact federal mogul at 877-489-6659.
- The problem
- Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
- The risk
- Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
- The fix
- Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on july 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.
- The problem
- Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
- The risk
- Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
- The fix
- Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on april 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
What owners say
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202 complaints about the 2003 Dodge Neon
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 9.
This makes 3rd transmission that has been put in this 2003 dodge neon xst . I have put $10.000.00 In transmission replacements ! These are lemons!! I will never buy another dodge!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge neon. While driving 40 mph, the contact heard a loud grinding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and noticed that the front subframe was fractured. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing and repairs. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 103,421.
We were hit from the side and tore up the whole front end. The air bags did not deploy
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 dodge neon. While driving approximately 45 mph, the contact crashed into a guardrail. Neither of the front air bags deployed. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound yard. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vin was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Oil problem although I paid thousands for repairs.-But the engine light flashes when car is stopped at a traffic light or idling for even a short time. When car is in motion, a steady engine light is on all the time, except when it flashes. This has been happening for a couple of years. I need info on this and all recalls or complimentary repairs available . I need to be safe .Thank you. *Tr
Well I was driving and I had my kid in car 10-16-15 thank god I a had arrived home on time who knows what would happen if I kept driving I started to see smoke coming of dash I was on street coming from janesville wi it's like 35 min away I was driving on high way but like I said it started happening while approaching house I really don't know how to see inside but this has me shocked due to video I have seen catching on fire why isn't nothing being done no recall nothing someone can die from this I looked up...
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problem and it's a common thing thats happening this is a serious problem and disappointed with dodge I need something done about this please help I took a picture of when I parked it.
The driver's side airbag deployed aggressively, with possible metallic shrapnel or fragment intrusion into the driver's body, because the driver sustained a complete transection of the right main bronchus - either from metal debris or from an over-aggressive inflation that caused severe blunt trauma to the chest.
Started vehicle during rainy, foggy, 40 degree weather. Headlamp indicator did not come on within gauge cluster. Upon checking outside the car, only parking lights were functioning despite headlights switch being in the "on" position. Burning smell occurred within 15 minutes of driving and multifunction harness connector is melted. *Tr
Odor of burning plastic, caused by overheated wiring (pin 16) on turn signal and light control. Light would only function on low beam ; while high beam indicator was lit . Fog lamps have been lit ,when switch is headlamp on position, for three years. They could not be turned off unless you used left turn signal. When headlamp malfunctioned I bought replacement switch. During installation, found wiring harness terminal was difficult to remove, as it was malformed and brittle due to excess heat. I took pictures to document wire position; there is no pin 15 or 10 : also no wire to terminal positions 15,10, and 12. There is a pin 12 on the switch. *Tr
Smoke started coming out of the vents & steering column. Took it to the dealer & they said it was spilled anti freeze from when they changed the oil. Car was ok for a little while. Now it's smoking again the front defroster doesn't work the fog lights are gone & recently my highlights went too. I took it to the shop they shown me the burnt wires in steeling column & said the heating coil is damaged making the smell & fogs the window from the fumes. Next to go will be the turning signals & wipers if not fixed. *Tr
As I was driving down the road with my lights on, I began to see and smell smoke coming from steering column. I turn the lights off and the smoke cleared up and went away. After some time, I turned the lights back on with no problem to be found at this time. A week or so later the headlight switch would not work unless you pulled the high beam switch, then and only as you held the switch the lights would work. ( If you have never sit and held the switch while driving at night ( of course ) to get home it is no fun....
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) That week end I pulled the covers off the column and pulled the harness out of switch to find it was melted. Needless to say I am down a vehicle until this is fixed. Luckily there was no fire. *Tr
Started to see smoke and then the headlights stopped working properly. After disassembling the wiring connector from the headlight switch, I discovered the connector had overheated to the point it was charred and crumbling to pieces. This is not a misuse by operator, but a safety failure of the electrical system. This could have resulted in a fire as the fuse protecting this circuit did not fail when the circuit obviously overheated and melted and charred the plastic connector. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge neon. The contact stated that smoke started to emit from the engine comparment while the battery was being charged and the vehicle overheated. The contact turned the vehicle off and after restarting the vehicle the temperature, speedometer, fuel and rpm warning lights illuminated. The vehicle failed to start. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The failure and current mileage was 163,000.
Smelled hot wiring and headlights stopped working properly. After disassembling the wiring connector from the headlight switch, I discovered the connector had overheated to the point it was charred and crumbling to pieces. This is not a misuse by operator, but a safety failure uf the electrical system. This could have resulted in a fire as the fuse protecting this circuit did not fail when the circuit obviously overheated and melted and charred the plastic connector. I have pictures of the part if you would like them. *Tr
Hi, I have a dodge neon 03, and it cuts off while I am driving. There are no warning signs that is about to happen, everything in the car shuts off and the car comes to an instant stop on the road. I took it to the dealership on two occasions within the last three months for this issue. They thought that they knew what it was the first time and they just switched out a car part, but they didn't fix the problem because two months later my car stoped again on july 4th. I took it back to the shop, they kept it for two...
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days to run test and they gave me my car back and said that they couldn't find anything wrong with it. About a month goes by and my car comes to a sudden stop on a highway this time, on august 3rd. There has not been any accidents at this point due to this problem, but you can see how one could easily occur and how it could possibly be fatal for the driver and others. I did some reasearch and discovered online that there were several others that were having the same problem with their dodge neons, and it's not just the 03's but also the 96-98, and 2000's. I just thought that it was a major safety issue and that someone should investigate this problem. Thanks *tr
While parked in the rain, water was leaking from top of drivers-side door, soaking the driver-side floor to a point that squishing sounds could be heard, also during rain, the drivers-side of the trunk leaked & it soaked enough water to be able to soak a cloth & squeeze water out. This has been an ongoing issue. *Tr
Upon warming the car before driving to work windows steamed up badly I thought it was because of cold temp outside. This happened throughout the winter. Always having a sweet taste in my mouth took the car back to the dealer where I bought it there said the heater core was leaking would have to replace it. I called the local parts store and got a price on it 60.00 Dollars I thought this price was ok .The parts house said good luck I asked why he was smiling when he said that .He said that was an 800.00 Dollar...
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job by the dealer. He was so right!! The sob who designed that should been made to change it in every car that the core wet bad in I have owned 96 1500 97 1500 99 1500 and now 2003 every one heater core leaks .Went on line to see how many people had this problem hundreds. People are breathing antifreeze vapor. Help!!!! *Tr
My wire harness/ multifunction switch has melted causing my headlight and fog lights not to work. *Tr
We purchased the vehicle about 2 years ago from a used car dealership. About a week after we bought it, the check engine light came on, and we also noticed that the trunk was leaking and had so much water in it that mushrooms were literally growing under the carpet. No one could fix the trunk leak. We had to take the carpet out and bleach the mushrooms off, twice. We ended up buying caulking and fixed it ourselves so we wouldn't waste $250 for a mechanic to not fix it again. It took 3 tubes of caulking, but it...
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stopped leaking. Now the sun roof leaks as well. But the biggest problem is that no one seems to be able to fix the check engine light problem either. We've taken the car to 4 separate garages and have had this same issue "fixed" 6 times now. We've spent at least $500 all in all on this one problem and each time, the light goes off, but a week later it comes back on. No one can fix it. We've had the car for 2 years and we've already put at least $1000 into it, if you include the brakes and tune ups. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge neon. The contact stated that the instrumental panel lights, brake lights, tail lights and directional lights failed while driving. In addition, a burning odor was emitted from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The contact replaced the multi-functional switch and multi-functional switch wiring harness. The vehicle was repaired at a cost of $130. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 160,000. ... Updated 02/28/13 *bf updated 03/11/13
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge neon. The contact stated that the high beam headlight switch failed, which affected the fog lights. After performing research, the contact deduced that the wiring harness was melted and needed to be replaced. The dealer was later contacted and advised that he would have to bring the vehicle in for inspection. The contact repaired the vehicle by replacing the high low beam mechanism, but did not replace the wiring harness. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The current mileage was approximately 185,000. The vin was unavailable.
Headlights went out while driving at night then would only operate intermittently until finally they didn't work at all. Took off the multifunction switch and the electrical connector to the switch was melted. After some research I found out that the manufacturers made the wires too small to carry the electrical load. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge neon. The contact stated that smoke was emitted from the steering wheel and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the main ground wiring to the engine was melted and caused the vehicle to stall. In addition, the wiring harness and multi-function switch was also melted. The vin was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 125,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge neon. The contact stated that water was leaking into the trunk and mold started to grow in the vehicle as a result. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance and referred the contact to nhtsa. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 90,000.
Engine blowing due to rings deteriorating before reaching 100,000 miles. Compression low, car shakes, close to stalling out. Harder to start. Only way to fix is by replacing engine. Have seen thousands of references to this on many dodge forums and other sites. Does not just include the 03 neon sxt, also se, srt, intrepid, and one of the chrysler models. *Tr
Dodge Neon: every year compared
All Neon years2003 Dodge Neon vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Dodge Neon | 202 | 5 | C | |
| 2003 Dodge Ram | 1,359 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2003 Dodge Ram Van | 1,239 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 2003 Dodge Ram Wagon | 1,223 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 | 661 | 9 | F | Compare |
| 2003 Dodge Durango | 339 | 6 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Dodge Dakota | 296 | 11 | D | Compare |
| 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 | 286 | 9 | F | Compare |
| 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan | 219 | 3 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2003 Dodge Neon
Does the 2003 Dodge Neon have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2003 Dodge Neon: exterior lighting (April 2009); headlights (August 2008); suspension (April 2008); exterior lighting (May 2006) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge Neon?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (72), lights (48), transmission & drivetrain (28).
How many complaints has the 2003 Dodge Neon had?
202 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on May 7, 2003 and the latest on October 20, 2019. Of these, 23 describe a crash and 20 a fire, and together they report 25 injuries and 1 death.
Is the 2003 Dodge Neon a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 47 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Dodge Neon year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Dodge Neon years have the most complaints?
1996 (621), 1997 (396), 2000 (361). See every Dodge Neon year compared.
What should I do if my 2003 Dodge Neon has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data