Complaints
290
Crashes
31
Fires
35
Injuries
33
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 2003 Dodge Neon Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#146 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:299,452 mi
Fires:10
#229 complaints
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Fires:5
#312 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:34,306 mi
Crash-related:11
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Dodge Neon.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 46 | — | 10 | 299,452 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 29 | — | 5 | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 12 | 11 | 1 | 34,306 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 11 | — | — | 43,102 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 10 | — | 3 | 61,222 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 9 | — | 2 | 46,975 mi | |
| Airbags | 8 | 7 | 1 | 79,500 mi | |
| Manual Transmission | 8 | — | 1 | 27,767 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 7 | 1 | 1 | 59,975 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 7 | — | 2 | 59,000 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 7 | 2 | 1 | 41,727 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch | 6 | — | — | 45,429 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 6 | 1 | 1 | 37,645 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 6 | 2 | 1 | 56,670 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 | 1 | — | 35,001 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Fog Lights:Switch | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 | — | — | — |
Electrical Faults
46
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
10
Avg Miles
299,452
Headlight/Taillight Failures
29
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
12
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
1
Avg Miles
34,306
Automatic Transmission
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
43,102
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
61,222
Electrical System:Wiring
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
46,975
Airbags
8
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
1
Avg Miles
79,500
Manual Transmission
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
27,767
Engine & Cooling
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
59,975
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
59,000
Hydraulic Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
41,727
Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
45,429
Structural Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
37,645
Tire Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
56,670
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
35,001
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Fog Lights:Switch
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Child Seat
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Dodge Neon. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Neon Years
2003 Dodge Neon — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Dodge Neon reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2003 Dodge Neon has 290 NHTSA complaints, 31 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 46 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2003 Dodge Neon?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (46 complaints, avg 299,452 mi); Headlight/Taillight Failures (29 complaints); Air Bags:Frontal (12 complaints, avg 34,306 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Dodge Neon?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 126,298 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2003 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA complaints for the 2003 Dodge Neon include 31 crash-related reports, 35 fire reports, 33 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2003 Dodge Neon have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2003 Dodge Neon as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2003 Dodge Neon?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Neon reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Dodge Neon
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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