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2003 Dodge Neon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Dodge Neon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 173.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

159 reports with mileage · 43 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports20 fire reports17 injury reports

What owners actually said

202 reports
104,000 miles · Jun 11, 2010
Air BagsCrashInjury

I REARENDED AN SUV DURING A RAINSTORM. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF MY CAR, AND SIDE PANELS WERE TOTALED. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CAR WAS A 2003 DODGE NEON. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT AND DAMAGE TO THE EXTERIOR FRONT OF MY CAR ACTUALLY LEFT MINOR INTERIOR DAMAGE UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL-PANEL PIECES BECAME DETACHED. I RECEIVED MU…

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I REARENDED AN SUV DURING A RAINSTORM. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF MY CAR, AND SIDE PANELS WERE TOTALED. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CAR WAS A 2003 DODGE NEON. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT AND DAMAGE TO THE EXTERIOR FRONT OF MY CAR ACTUALLY LEFT MINOR INTERIOR DAMAGE UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL-PANEL PIECES BECAME DETACHED. I RECEIVED MULTIPLE BRUISES, MINOR CUTS, AND MAJOR HEADACHE FOR DAYS AFTERWARDS DUE TO THE FORCE OF HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL THEN MY SEATBELT JERKING ME INTO MY SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10335795

68,000 miles · Apr 29, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

THE FOLLOWING IS, WHAT I CONSIDER A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM WITH THE 2003, 2004 & 2005 DODGE NEON SRT-4 MODEL CARS AND POSSIBLY OTHER MODELS THAT HAVE UNSECURED VACUUM LINES IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I HAVE TWO FIRST-HAND OCCURRENCES OF THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE DID NOT RESULT IN AN INCIDENT, BUT THE SECOND CAUSED DESTRUCTI…

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

NHTSA ODI #10328005

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2010
Structure

MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2003 DODGE NEON AND WHEN IT RAINS WATER COLLECTS IN THE TRUNK AND RIGHT FRONT FLOORBOARD. IF YOU CHECK OUT WEBSITES ON COMPLAINTS ABOUT DODGE NEONS AND THEIR WATER LEAKS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OR MORE COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS. THIS WATER LEAK DOES PRESENT A SAFETY AND HEALTH HAZARD IN THE FORM OF MOLD COLLECTING IN A…

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MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2003 DODGE NEON AND WHEN IT RAINS WATER COLLECTS IN THE TRUNK AND RIGHT FRONT FLOORBOARD. IF YOU CHECK OUT WEBSITES ON COMPLAINTS ABOUT DODGE NEONS AND THEIR WATER LEAKS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OR MORE COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS. THIS WATER LEAK DOES PRESENT A SAFETY AND HEALTH HAZARD IN THE FORM OF MOLD COLLECTING IN A CAR. THIS DEFECT IN CONSTRUCTION NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I CONTACTED MY DODGE DEALER AND THEY WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313086

96,453 miles · Jan 15, 2010
Electrical SystemFire

2003 DODGE NEON SRT4. MFS IN STEERING COLUMN BURNT TO CRISP. NO MODIFICATIONS TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OR LIGHTS ON CAR HAVE BEEN MADE. CAUSED 2000 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE AND RESEARCH SHOWS SIMILAR PROBLEM ACROSS NEON MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10299895

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2010
Structure

LETTER FROM SENATOR BURR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT CONCERNING A WATER LEAK PROBLEM WITH HER 2003 DODGE NEON. *NJ

NHTSA ODI #10299248

88,380 miles · Dec 21, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE FOG LIGHT SWITCH STOPPED WORKING, THEREFORE THE FOG LIGHTS WERE ALWAYS ON. AFTER STOPPING AT A FRIENDS HOUSE AND THE LIGHTS WORKED FINE, THE HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON, AND THE BRIGHT LIGHTS COULD ONLY BE TURNED ON BY PULLING AND HOLDING THE ARM BACK. THERE WAS AN ODD SMELL, BUT I THOUGHT A FUSE MUST HAVE …

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THE FOG LIGHT SWITCH STOPPED WORKING, THEREFORE THE FOG LIGHTS WERE ALWAYS ON. AFTER STOPPING AT A FRIENDS HOUSE AND THE LIGHTS WORKED FINE, THE HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON, AND THE BRIGHT LIGHTS COULD ONLY BE TURNED ON BY PULLING AND HOLDING THE ARM BACK. THERE WAS AN ODD SMELL, BUT I THOUGHT A FUSE MUST HAVE BLOWN. CHANGING THE FUSE DID NOT ALLOW THE LIGHTS TO WORK. I DROVE THE CAR HOME BEHIND OUR OTHER VEHICLE, AND WAS STOPPED BY THE POLICE WITH NO HEADLIGHTS. I EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND THEY GAVE ME A WARNING TO HAVE THE LIGHTS FIXED. SO I MADE AN APPOINTMENT THE NEXT DAY TO HAVE THE LIGHTS CHECKED. THEY FOUND THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH WAS MELTED AND THE WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO MY WIFE WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. NO HEADLIGHTS DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296585

93,000 miles · Dec 16, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I WAS GETTING READY TO DRIVE TO WORK. I TURNED ON MY HEADLIGHTS TO FIND THAT THEY WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. LATER I REMOVED THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH AND LOCATED A BURNED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. THE CURRENT REPAIR WILL BE TO REPLACE THE MULTI-SWITCH AND BURNED CONNECTOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296167

82,000 miles · Nov 25, 2009
Electrical System

2003 DODGE NEON. PROBLEM, NO HEADLIGHTS. SMOKE AND A BURNING SMELL FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. ONCE IT HAPPENED THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AND WILL NOT COME BACK ON. THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH AUTO PARTS STORES OR THE DEALER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE PARTS WERE OUT OF STOCK AND COULD TAKE WEEKS TO GET IN. HE DID A SEARCH O…

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2003 DODGE NEON. PROBLEM, NO HEADLIGHTS. SMOKE AND A BURNING SMELL FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. ONCE IT HAPPENED THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AND WILL NOT COME BACK ON. THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH AUTO PARTS STORES OR THE DEALER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE PARTS WERE OUT OF STOCK AND COULD TAKE WEEKS TO GET IN. HE DID A SEARCH OF DEALERS AROUND THE COUNTY AND NO ONE HAD THE PART (HEADLIGHT SWITCH) HE TOLD ME THEY GET A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I HAD TO BUY A USED ONE FROM A WRECKED CAR AT A JUNKYARD TO BE ABLE TO USE MY CAR AT NIGHT. I RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND TONS OF PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. THE CONNECTIONS ARE MELTED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10293604

150,000 miles · Nov 24, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

NO PREVIOUS INCIDENTS WITH TRANSMISSION OR RADIATOR, FLUIDS BOTH FINE LAST TIME CAR DRIVEN, DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, APPROXIMATELY FOUR MILES FROM HOME, ENGINE BEGAN TO REV, APPEARED TO HAVE TROUBLE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BETWEEN GEARS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CHECKED AT LOCATION, RADIATOR EMPTY, TRANSMISSION FLUID LOW, CHEC…

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NO PREVIOUS INCIDENTS WITH TRANSMISSION OR RADIATOR, FLUIDS BOTH FINE LAST TIME CAR DRIVEN, DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, APPROXIMATELY FOUR MILES FROM HOME, ENGINE BEGAN TO REV, APPEARED TO HAVE TROUBLE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BETWEEN GEARS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CHECKED AT LOCATION, RADIATOR EMPTY, TRANSMISSION FLUID LOW, CHECKED 30 MIN LATER, TRANSMISSION FLUID EMPTY, REFILLED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND LEAKED FROM RADIATOR- RADIATOR RUPTURE, UNSURE IF DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION FROM RADIATOR RUPTURE AT THIS TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10293333

120,000 miles · Nov 24, 2009
Exterior Lighting

DRIVING AT NIGHT, HEADLIGHTS WOULDN'T SWITCH TO LOW, THEN HEADLIGHTS CEASED WORKING AT ALL, EXTREMELY HOT, ELECTRICAL SMELL, MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MELTED, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10293332

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA06019 · 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.