2003 Dodge Neon: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 202 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (27% of complaints); the 2004 and 2005 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 202 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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!!”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2019
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2017
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2015
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2015
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2015
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2014
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2014
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2014
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 23 of these complaints and injuries in 25 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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."
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Neon by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Dodge Neon reliable?
NHTSA has 202 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Dodge Neon. The most complained-about area is electrical system (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Neon problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 55,146 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Dodge Neon have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.