Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2003 Dodge Neon Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 3.0× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
202Complaints
5Recalls
23Crashes
20Fires
25Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (22.8% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Electrical System complaints here are 3.0× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 46 · 22.8% | not available | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 29 · 14.4% | Recalled | Recall 09E012000 · Recall 08E050000 · Recall 06E049000 · Recall 06E026000 |
| Air Bags:frontal | 12 · 5.9% | not available | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 11 · 5.4% | not available | — |
| Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash | 10 · 5% | not available | — |
| Electrical System:wiring | 9 · 4.5% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 202 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 5 campaigns
Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 08E050000 · 2008 · reported 08/11/2008
WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E049000 · 2006 · reported 05/24/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Suspension
NHTSA campaign 08E033000 · 2008 · reported 04/14/2008
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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. AS OF SEPTEMBER…”NHTSA complaint 10204293 — filed 09/27/2007 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“WHILE DRIVING CROSS COUNTRY HOME FROM VISITING FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS, HEADLIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS ALL QUIT WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. LUCKILY THE MOON WAS OUT FULL…”NHTSA complaint 10196882 — filed 07/19/2007 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10179192 — filed 01/19/2007 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge Neon?
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 46 of 202 NHTSA complaints (22.8%), followed by exterior lighting (29), air bags:frontal (12), power train:automatic transmission (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2003 Dodge Neon have?
202 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 23 involved a crash, 20 involved a fire, and 25 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 2003 Dodge Neon have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E012000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2003 Dodge Neon's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
