NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
202 reports27,911 miles · Feb 6, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 DODGE NEON SXT THE THROTTLE CABLE SNAPPED AND I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE OR CONTROL THE CAR SPEED. THIS HAPPENED IN THE FAST LANE OF A 6 LANE ROADWAY. I WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. WHILE WITH THIS INCIDENT I WAS FORTUNATE TO AVOID A COLLISION IF THE…
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 DODGE NEON SXT THE THROTTLE CABLE SNAPPED AND I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE OR CONTROL THE CAR SPEED. THIS HAPPENED IN THE FAST LANE OF A 6 LANE ROADWAY. I WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. WHILE WITH THIS INCIDENT I WAS FORTUNATE TO AVOID A COLLISION IF THE POTENTIAL FOR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WAS OBVIOUS. SEVERAL APPROACHING CARS NARROWLY AVOIDED COLLIDING WITH MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN LOSS OF THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN SPEED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10109926
19,500 miles · Feb 4, 2005
Power Train
1) NO WARNING OF UPCOMING PART FAILURE. CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT NORMAL SPEED (55) PREPARING TO DECELERATE/DOWNSHIFT, DAMP ROAD CONDITIONS, BUT WASN'T CURRENTLY RAINING. CAR IS A 2003 DODGE NEON R/T. PART IN QUESTION IS NEW TO THE 2003 MODEL YEAR. 2) CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY (MASTER CYLINDER,HYDRAULIC LI…
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1) NO WARNING OF UPCOMING PART FAILURE. CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT NORMAL SPEED (55) PREPARING TO DECELERATE/DOWNSHIFT, DAMP ROAD CONDITIONS, BUT WASN'T CURRENTLY RAINING. CAR IS A 2003 DODGE NEON R/T. PART IN QUESTION IS NEW TO THE 2003 MODEL YEAR. 2) CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY (MASTER CYLINDER,HYDRAULIC LINE, AND RELEASE CYLINDER-SEALED ASSY.) HYDRAULIC LINE BROKE OFF WHILE DOWNSHIFTING COMING OFF THE H3 INTO THE USMC BASE (MANY SWERVES AND NEED TO SLOW DOWN.) THIS RESULTED IN A LOSS OF FLUID TO THE PRESSURE PLATES CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO NOT DISENGAGE PROPERLY. THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, AND THE ENGINE RPM'S DO NOT DROP WHEN THE CLUTCH IS PRESSED. THE STICK CANNOT BE PULLED OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL IF THE CAR IS MOVING EVEN 10MPH. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A HAZARDOUS/FATAL PROBLEM UNDER OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES. 3) I AM CONTACTING WINDWARD DODGE IN THE MORNING TO HAVE THE MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND THE REST OF THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY INSPECTED (REPLACED IF NECESSARY) FOR EXCESSIVE WEAR/DAMAGE FROM THIS INCIDENT. IF THEY AREN'T SENDING THE PART OFF FOR AN INSPECTION AT CORPORATE OFFICES I WILL REQUEST TO HANG ON TO IT IN CASE AN ENGINEER SOMEWHERE WOULD LIKE IT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10109821
12,000 miles · Jan 27, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicTires
SEVERE SHIMMY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30 MPH. CAR IS TWO YEARS OLD WITH 18K AND HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALER. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT IT NEEDED TIRES REBALANCED. HAD TIRES REBALANCED AT 18,197 MILES. 21K PROBLEM GOT WORSE, WAS TOLD BY DEALER GOODYEAR TIRES WERE NO GOOD AND NEEDED BRAKE ROTORS TURNED. PADS WERE FINE, METALLIC PAD…
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SEVERE SHIMMY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30 MPH. CAR IS TWO YEARS OLD WITH 18K AND HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALER. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT IT NEEDED TIRES REBALANCED. HAD TIRES REBALANCED AT 18,197 MILES. 21K PROBLEM GOT WORSE, WAS TOLD BY DEALER GOODYEAR TIRES WERE NO GOOD AND NEEDED BRAKE ROTORS TURNED. PADS WERE FINE, METALLIC PADS CAUSE ROTOR WARPAGE IN JUST A FEW MILES. REPAIR ESTIMATE ON A TWO YEAR OLD CAR IS $495.00. NO WARRANTY ON BRAKES OR FACTORY TIRES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10108038
26,000 miles · Jan 20, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury
I HAD A COLLISION IN MY VEHICLE THE FRONT END WAS SMASHED IN. (THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.) THE AIRBAGS (PASSENGER AND DRIVER) DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING INJURY TO ME AND MY PASSENGER. I WAS TRAVELING APPROX. 25 OR 30 MPH. ACCORDING TO POLICE ON THE SCENE THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10107644
24,975 miles · Jan 5, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10101538
10,650 miles · Dec 17, 2004
Air BagsCrash
THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 45 MPH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS USING THE SEAT BELT AT THAT TIME. NO INJURIES TO REPORT. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA ODI #10105016
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
EVERY 2000 MILES THE CONSUMER HAS TO PUT 2 QUARTS OF OIL IN VEHICLE. THE SPARK PLUG WENT BAD IN THE ENGINE. THE BRAKES SQUEALED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD COME TO A STOP. *BF *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10103887
42,000 miles · Dec 8, 2004
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BY TURNING OFF THE TURN SIGNALS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10103382
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ABS BRAKING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10097886
32,000 miles · Oct 23, 2004
Electrical System
CAR WAS 5 MONTHS OLD WHEN IT STARTED TO JERK & BASICALLY TURN OFF INTERMITTANTLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS, THE RADIO WOULD TURN OFF COMPLETELY & THE SEATBELT LIGHTS ON THE DASH WOULD LIGHT UP, THE CAR WOULD TURN BACK ON AND THEN REVV AS THOUGH BEING DOWN-SHIFTED AND THEN GO BACK TO NORMAL. THE PROBLEM PROCEEDED TO…
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CAR WAS 5 MONTHS OLD WHEN IT STARTED TO JERK & BASICALLY TURN OFF INTERMITTANTLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS, THE RADIO WOULD TURN OFF COMPLETELY & THE SEATBELT LIGHTS ON THE DASH WOULD LIGHT UP, THE CAR WOULD TURN BACK ON AND THEN REVV AS THOUGH BEING DOWN-SHIFTED AND THEN GO BACK TO NORMAL. THE PROBLEM PROCEEDED TO GET WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC & I WAS BROKE DOWN IN THE CENTER DIVIDER. DODGE DEALERSHIP HAS FAILED TO FIND A SOLUTION AFTER THREE VISITS & NOW MY CAR IS HOOKED UP TO A CO-PILOT. THIS PROBLEM REMAINS UNFIXED & EVEN MORE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. HAS STALLED THREE TIMES ON THE FREEWAY!*AK
NHTSA ODI #10096287
NHTSA investigations
3EA06019 · Headlight Failure
Opened Nov 22, 2006 · Closed Nov 7, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:fog Lights; Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Exterior Lighting:fog Lights
THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.
Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch
THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.
Exterior Lighting:headlights
THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.
Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.
PE06028 · Headlight Failure
Opened Jul 28, 2006 · Closed Nov 22, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:fog Lights; Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Exterior Lighting:fog Lights
ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.
Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch
ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.
Exterior Lighting:headlights
ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.
Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.
PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate
Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.
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