NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
202 reports88,802 miles · Sep 16, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2003 DODGE NEON BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD GO ON REVEALING LOW BRAKE FLUID. PROBLEM RESOLVED BY ADDING BRAKE FLUID AND LIGHT WOULD GO OUT. AFTER TWO INCIDENTS OF CORRECTING SAME PROBLEM CAR WAS DRIVEN AND BRAKES WERE HARD TO PRESS AND DID NOT STOP WITHIN ACCEPTABLE DISTANCES. CAR WAS INSPECTED BY SERVICEMAN AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE L…
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2003 DODGE NEON BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD GO ON REVEALING LOW BRAKE FLUID. PROBLEM RESOLVED BY ADDING BRAKE FLUID AND LIGHT WOULD GO OUT. AFTER TWO INCIDENTS OF CORRECTING SAME PROBLEM CAR WAS DRIVEN AND BRAKES WERE HARD TO PRESS AND DID NOT STOP WITHIN ACCEPTABLE DISTANCES. CAR WAS INSPECTED BY SERVICEMAN AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE LOWER BRAKE LINE FITTING PERPENDICULAR TO THE GROUND AND ATTACHED TO THE MASTER CYLINDERS LEAKED. THE PROBLEM IS THAT YOU ASSUME YOU LOSE BRAKE FLUID BY USE AND IT IS REALLY A LEAK. ADDING FLUID APPEARS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT BY THE TIME YOU RECEIVED A BRAKE LIGHT WARNING AIR HAS ENTERED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND CAUSES A SITUATION WHERE YOUR BRAKE DISTANCED IS COMPROMISED AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS YOU MAY NOT STOP WITHIN THE DISTANCE YOU ARE ACCUSTOMED TO AND THIS MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. TIGHTENING THE FITTINGS DID NOT WORK AT HE TIME OF THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10242401
70,000 miles · Jun 4, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
WIRING MELTED IN STEERING COLUMN AND HEAD LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. HAD TO HAVE DEALER REPAIR WIRING, REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229930
82,000 miles · May 19, 2008
TiresCrashInjury
HIGH SPEED BLOW OUT AFFTER ONLY 3 1/2 MONTHS TOTALED MY CAR ON TOP OF IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228238
65,000 miles · May 8, 2008
Electrical SystemFire
I BOUGHT MYSELF A 2003 DODGE NEON SRT-4 LAST YEAR. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO SMOKE AND MELTING PLASTIC SMELL STARTED COMING OUT OF STEERING COLUMN. THE HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS SHUT OFF ON ME ONE NIGHT COMING HOME FROM STORE. (NOT GOOD) THE NEXT DAY FOUND THAT HARNESS WAS MELTED AT CONNECTOR TO THE MFS TO THE HEADLIGHTS. I REPLACED TH…
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I BOUGHT MYSELF A 2003 DODGE NEON SRT-4 LAST YEAR. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO SMOKE AND MELTING PLASTIC SMELL STARTED COMING OUT OF STEERING COLUMN. THE HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS SHUT OFF ON ME ONE NIGHT COMING HOME FROM STORE. (NOT GOOD) THE NEXT DAY FOUND THAT HARNESS WAS MELTED AT CONNECTOR TO THE MFS TO THE HEADLIGHTS. I REPLACED THE SWITCH BUT FUSES BLOW IF FOG LIGHTS COME ON OR HIGH BEAMS. PLUS IT JUST STARTED SMOKING AGAIN! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10227008
80,000 miles · May 8, 2008
Electrical System
SUDDENLY HAD NO LIGHTS ON VEHICLE EXTERIOR, HEADLIGHTS MOST NOTABLY. MECHANIC REPLACED MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON STEERING COLUMN BUT SHOWED ME THE PLUG FOR THIS MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH HAS OBVIOUSLY BEEN HEATING UP BECAUSE IT HAS MELTED IN SEVERAL PLACES. BY THE WAY I CANT FIND A REPLACEMENT PLUG YET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10227006
80,000 miles · May 1, 2008
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH BEAMS, HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED, BUT FAILED AGAIN APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER. THERE WAS AN OPENED AND CLOSED INVESTIGATION (EA06019) FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10226397
50,000 miles · Apr 16, 2008
Exterior Lighting
MY HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON ONE MORNING. I TOOK THE STEERING COLUMN APART AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRING PLUG WAS MELTED. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE NEONS AND THE WIRING AS WELL AS THE LIGHT SWITCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224696
29,000 miles · Apr 11, 2008
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A SEVERE CRASH AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROPERLY SECURE HER AND SHE STRUCK THE STEERING COLUMN. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE CONTACT NEVER SAW ANY AIR BAG WA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A SEVERE CRASH AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROPERLY SECURE HER AND SHE STRUCK THE STEERING COLUMN. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE CONTACT NEVER SAW ANY AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. SHE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 29,000.
NHTSA ODI #10224203
55,000 miles · Mar 28, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I AM THE 2ND HAND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN IN POSSESSION OF IT FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND 1/2 HAVE METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED IT AND IT HAS 55,000 MILE ON IT. RECENTLY THE TRANSMISSION BECAME RATHER JUMPY AND IT WAS TO GO INTO SERVICE BUT THE DAY BEFORE I WAS TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT IT WAS MORE JUMPY THAN USUAL AND I SMELT…
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I AM THE 2ND HAND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN IN POSSESSION OF IT FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND 1/2 HAVE METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED IT AND IT HAS 55,000 MILE ON IT. RECENTLY THE TRANSMISSION BECAME RATHER JUMPY AND IT WAS TO GO INTO SERVICE BUT THE DAY BEFORE I WAS TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT IT WAS MORE JUMPY THAN USUAL AND I SMELT TRANS. FLUID THROUGH MY AIR VENTS. CHECKED TRANS. FLUID AND FOUND NOTHING ON THE STICK, SHUT IF OFF, LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF PINK FLUID UNDER ON THE GROUND. LOOKED AT THE LITTLE BIT OF FLUID THAT WAS THE TRANS STICK AND IT WAS THE SAME COLOR. LOOKED IN THE COOLANT, SAME FLUID AS ON THE STICK AND THE GROUND. MY RADIATOR HAD GIVEN OUT MIXING MY COOLANT WITH TRANS. FLUID. THIS LEFT ME TO PAY $974 OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE CHRYSLER WOULD NOT HELP PAY FOR THIS COMMON PROBLEM. CAR IS UNDER A 7/70K POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. RADIATOR IS NOT COVERED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10222618
80,000 miles · Jan 29, 2008
Exterior Lighting
I WAS USING MY HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS AND SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM MY STEERING COLUMN. I SHUT OFF MY LIGHTS AND A FEW MINUTES LATER THE SMOKE STOPPED. THAT EVENING MY HEADLIGHTS LOST FUNCTION AND ONLY MY HIGH BEAMS WOULD WORK. MY HIGH BEAMS NOW FLICKER AND I'M FEARING THOSE WILL LOSE FUNCTION AS WELL.…
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I WAS USING MY HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS AND SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM MY STEERING COLUMN. I SHUT OFF MY LIGHTS AND A FEW MINUTES LATER THE SMOKE STOPPED. THAT EVENING MY HEADLIGHTS LOST FUNCTION AND ONLY MY HIGH BEAMS WOULD WORK. MY HIGH BEAMS NOW FLICKER AND I'M FEARING THOSE WILL LOSE FUNCTION AS WELL. WHEN REMOVING THE PANEL BENEATH MY STEERING COLUMN I LOOKED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND ALL I COULD SEE IS THAT ONE OF WIRING HARNESSES IS MELTED. I'VE LOOKED AT OTHER INVESTIGATIONS THAT RELATE INCLUDING EA06019 AND PE06028. *CN
NHTSA ODI #10216359
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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