Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Dodge Neon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Dodge Neon. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact crashed into a guardrail. Neither of the front air bags deployed. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound yard. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
While driving at 35 MPH vehicle was involved in a frontal collision. Upon impact, dual air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained chest injuries due to impact. As a result, vehicle was totaled. Manufacturer and insurance company notified, but not willing to do anything. Consumer contacted Chrysler and the talro insurance company, neither wanted to take responsibility for the airbag not deploying neither did they acknowledge the incident. The apollo casualty company told her to call Chrysler back. Consumer wants to sue but lawyer said that there can't be anything done because nobody went to the hospital.
Tl 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.
Entire electrical system failure while car was in operation + premature activation of airbag. Driver was forced to claw the airbag out of his way in order to maintain control of the vehicle, and steer it off the highway. There was no known tampering with the electrical system prior to this; car was used, but had only body work done to our knowledge. Heat damage to electrical system was so extensive that car was considered a total loss. Driver suffered some facial and neck injury--possibly others.
I rearended an SUV during a rainstorm. The entire front of my car, and side panels were totaled. My airbags did not deploy. My car was a 2003 Dodge Neon. The force of the impact and damage to the exterior front of my car actually left minor interior damage under the steering wheel-panel pieces became detached. I received multiple bruises, minor cuts, and major headache for days afterwards due to the force of hitting the steering wheel then my seatbelt jerking me into my seat.
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision on a dry road condition at 30 MPH. Consumer's vehicle broad side another vehicle, and neither frontal air bag deployed. Passenger sustained knee injuries, and was transported to the local hospital. Also, driver sustained injuries, and was transported to the local hospital by the local police. Dealer and manufacturer were not notified at this time.
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. Also, 2 months after the consumer purhcased the vehicle, the fuel pump was replaced. There is also an incident that the vehicle doesn't start.
I had a collision in my vehicle the front end was smashed in. (the vehicle was considered totaled by the insurance company.) the airbags (passenger and driver) did not deploy causing injury to me and my passenger. I was traveling approx. 25 or 30 MPH. According to police on the scene the airbags should have deployed.
The driver's side airbag deployed aggressively, with possible metallic shrapnel or fragment intrusion into the driver's body, because the driver sustained a complete transection of the right main bronchus - either from metal debris or from an over-aggressive inflation that caused severe blunt trauma to the chest.
Vehicle was involved in an accident where another vehicle turned left in front of my sister (who was driving my car) and she was going 40 MPH. My vehicle was hit almost head on. And the driver side front fender. Neither air bag deployed. My sister has multiple head, neck and back injuries.
Airbag complaints in other Neon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2003 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Dodge Neon, 10% of the model year's 202 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Dodge Neon airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2003 Dodge Neon. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Neon airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 18 crashes, 2 fires and 20 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.