Model year guide

2003 Dodge Neon

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Dodge Neon is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 41 on record.

2003 Dodge Neon — representative photo
Representative photo

2003 Dodge Neon at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints202
Combined25 mpg
Typical price$1,483

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2003 Dodge Neon recalls 5

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

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. 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.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #08E050000 · 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. 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."

Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E049000 · 24/05/2006

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. 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.

Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006

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.

Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Suspension NHTSA Campaign #08E033000 · 14/04/2008

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. 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.

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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2003 Dodge Neon common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 202 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

2003 Dodge Neon MPG & running costs

Combined25 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,700

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2003 Dodge Neon worth?

Low
$550
Typical price
$1,483
High
$2,500

From 38 comparable 2003 Dodge Neon listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Dodge Neon costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,500
Fuel only$13,500
Per mile$0.18

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2003 Dodge Neon trims & engines on record

Trims
SXT · SE · SRT-4 · Base
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl

2003 Dodge Neon vehicles on record

2003 Dodge Neon SRT-41B3ES66S33D195182 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SE1B3ES26C53D127788 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SXT1B3ES56C63D184227 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SXT1B3ES56C03D228559 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SXT1B3ES56C93D184108 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SXT1B3ES56CX3D123396 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SE1B3ES26C53D104348 2003 Dodge Neon SXT1B3ES56C43D118873 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SXT1B3ES56C93D138360 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SXT1B3ES56C93D103933 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SE1B3ES26C23D211552 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SE1B3ES26CX3D223173 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SXT1B3ES56C43D225423 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SXT1B3ES56C33D203154 2003 Dodge Neon SE1B3ES26C23D169156 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SXT1B3ES56C33D120534 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SE1B3ES26C73D206489 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SXT1B3ES56C43D138251 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SXT1B3ES56C53D183473 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SXT1B3ES56C43D204684 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SXT1B3ES56C83D256447 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SE1B3ES26C23D108437 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SXT1B3ES56C53D188026 2003 Dodge Neon 2003 Dodge Neon SXT1B3ES56C23D252748

Other Dodge Neon model years

2005 2004 2002 2001 2000 1997

2003 Dodge Neon — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Dodge Neon have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2003 Dodge Neon. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge Neon?

Based on 202 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, exterior lighting, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Dodge Neon get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2003 Dodge Neon at about 25 mpg combined (22 city / 29 highway).

How much is a 2003 Dodge Neon worth?

Comparable 2003 Dodge Neon listings run roughly $550–$2,500, typically around $1,483 (from 38 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.