2003 Dodge Neon: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Dodge Neon: 0 recalls, 202 owner complaints and up to 28 mpg combined.
Recalls
0 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 5 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
5 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E049000 · 2006 · 27,176 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006.
Suspension Equipment recall #08E033000 · 2008 · 6,903 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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. This May result in loss of vehicle control,…
The fix: Federal mogul will notify owners and replace the parts free of charge. The recall began on May 22, 2008. Owners can contact federal mogul at 877-489-6659.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #08E050000 · 2008 · 1,921 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility May be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 20 mention a fire, 25 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (72): the most common themes are electrical failure (42), fire / smoke (26).
- Exterior lights (48): the most common themes are electrical failure (26), fire / smoke (18).
- Transmission & drivetrain (28): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (8), stalls / loses power (4).
- Airbags (20): the most common themes are fails to deploy (10).
The 2003 Dodge Neon has 202 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 13 Neon model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 269). Complaints peaked in 2004 (30 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 54,700 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (173 complaints, 0 recalls), 2004 (94 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 32 | 28 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Dodge Neon.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Dodge Neon have any recalls?
NHTSA doesn't list any vehicle recalls for the 2003 Dodge Neon, but 5 equipment or tire recalls may apply. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.
What are the most common 2003 Dodge Neon problems?
Owners have filed 202 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (72), exterior lights (48), transmission & drivetrain (28).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Dodge Neon get?
EPA ratings run up to 28 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Dodge Neon repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.