The Lemon Index
200220042nd generation
About average · most complaints: electrical
102 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–28 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Honda Civic 552003 Toyota Corolla 662003 Hyundai Elantra 83
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2003 Dodge Neon
- Headlights55 complaintsmostly at 50,000–90,000 miles (81,000–145,000 km)
- Engine stalling14 complaintsmostly at 23,000–75,000 miles (37,000–121,000 km)
- Transmission failure8 complaintsmostly at 44,000–99,000 miles (71,000–159,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 202 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Dodge Neon (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 11,000 and 46,000 miles (17,000–74,000 km) (the middle half of the 70 complaints, of all 102 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E012000 (lights), 08E050000 (lights) and 08E033000 (suspension) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Dodge sent dealers 48 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Delayed or temporary loss of transmission engagement after initial start up on various models…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Dodge's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 102 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 10K to 46K miles (17K to 74K km) on the car (70 of all 102 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Vehicle performed poorly. The gears slipped, vehicle hesitated and jerked. Transmission was serviced four times, and the performance was the same.
2003 Dodge Neon owner · NHTSA complaint 10095204
More owner reports
Dt: the contact stated while driving the clutch malfunctioned three times with no warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealership, and they replaced the clutch. This occurred every six months.
NHTSA complaint 10144698
While driving the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with a side rail. Neither frontal air bag deployed. The vehicle was towed to a auto body shop for inspection. The cause has not been determined.
NHTSA complaint 10074255
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 6.9M views · 2000–2005 Dodge Neon
Most-watched topics
- Fuel pump, filter & tank296K views
How to Replace the Fuel Filter / Pressure Regulator on a 2003 Dodge Neon (2000 - 2005)HVAC Mechanic · 142K views · 3 videos - Transmission & shifter255K views
How to check and add transmission fluid on a 2003 Dodge Neon (2000 - 2005)HVAC Mechanic · 85K views · 10 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door170K views
2002 Dodge Neon Evaporator & Heater Core ReplacementAJ1Overdrive · 71K views · 6 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors137K views
2002 Dodge Neon Poor IDLE Faulty PCV Valve Oil in Intake How to FixAlexey Gavrilov · 109K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- Cooling system113K views
2004 Dodge Neon thermostat replace84crx · 62K views · 3 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition81K views
2003 Dodge Neon 2.0 Wont Start or CrankAl Young Cuda · 62K views · 3 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils71K views
how to change spark plugs for a 2005 dodge neonwingdan84 · 52K views · 3 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical67K views
Dodge Neon SRT4 Starter Removal & Install (2003-2005)AutoFun · 17K views · 7 videos
Before you buy, watch
Dodge Neon 2.0, 2005 problems with dashboardRadek David · 2K views
Regular Car Reviews: 2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4Regular Car Reviews · 1.1M views
2002 Dodge Neon - ReviewMauKapranos · 116K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2003 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 48 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Delayed or temporary loss of transmission engagement after initial start up on various models…
- Transmission harsh 4-3 downshift on various models including the 2004 pacifica, sebring,…
- Computer driver chip that could fail
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Lights · recall issued 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Lights · recall issued 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES.
- Suspension · recall issued 2008
FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS.
Show all 5 recalls
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedHeadlight failure2006–2007
- ClosedHeadlight failure2006
- ClosedSafety belt cinching latch plate2002–2003
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,150–$3,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Dodge Neon year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 5 older years (1995–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 11 Dodge Neon years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2003 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-neon/?y=2003" title="Dodge Neon reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/dodge-neon/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Dodge Neon reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Dodge Neon reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 104; 100 is average, lower is better). The Dodge Neon year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2005.
What are the most common 2003 Dodge Neon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (32%), transmission & drivetrain (18%) and lights (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Neon have?
5 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Dodge Neon get?
22 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Neon problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 11,000 and 46,000 miles (17,000–74,000 km) (the middle half of the 70 complaints, of all 102 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2003 Dodge Neon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Dodge Neon cost in fuel a year?
About $2,150 to $3,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Dodge Neon have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Dodge Neon year is better than the 2003?
Nearby, the 2005 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works