Is the 2003 Dodge Neon a bad year?
202 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Neon years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2003 Dodge Neon are in line with other Neon years. Electrical system and exterior lighting stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2003 Neon owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 61,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 72 (36%) | 42k–84k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 48 (24%) | 50k–90k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 28 (14%) | 21k–67k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 20 (10%) | 15k–70k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 18 (9%) | 17k–64k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Body structure | 11 (5%) | 21k–95k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 10 (5%) | 29k–104k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Suspension | 9 (4%) | 16k–67k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Fuel system | 9 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine and cooling | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 61,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 202 complaints: 23 mention a crash · 20 mention a fire · 17 report an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Oct 2019.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I have a 2003 Dodge Neon sxt. I purchased the car in 2008. 6 months later the transmission gave out. The car would not run at all.
Bought car new and I am meticulous about it's maintenance. Oil seal in manual transmission has failed twice now.
Neon had to have the manual transmission replaced twice within the total milage of 20,000 miles.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 61,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2003 Dodge Neon: 5
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The part numbers packaged with incorrect nuts are: K7147, K7329, K8683, and 104353. These parts were made for use on the various vehicles listed above. The nuts included in the packaging for these ball joint assemblies are missing the intended prevailing torque (Self-locking) feature.
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 11
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2003 Dodge Neon. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Service Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
MIL Illumination - DTC P1776 Solenoid Switch Valve Latched in LR Position
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Headlight failure
Headlight failure
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Neighbouring years
2002 Neon: 173 complaints, keep it · 2004 Neon: 94 complaints, keep it.
Every Dodge Neon year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · All Neon years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2003 Dodge Neon a bad year?
202 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Neon years. At 61,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge Neon?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (72), exterior lighting (48), transmission and drivetrain (28), air bags (20), brakes (18).
How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Neon have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E012000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 08E050000), Suspension (NHTSA 08E033000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 06E049000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.