Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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 owns a 2003 Dodge Neon. The contact stated that the high beam headlight switch failed, which affected the fog lights. After performing research, the contact deduced that the wiring harness was melted and needed to be replaced. The dealer was later contacted and advised that he would have to bring the vehicle in for inspection. The contact repaired the vehicle by replacing the high low beam mechanism, but did not replace the wiring harness. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The current mileage was approximately 185,000. The VIN was unavailable.
My 2003 Dodge Neon srt4 started smoking from the steering wheel column, and my head lights went out, also my brake lights and dash lights went out as well. When I took it to the mechanic after checking they saw that the connector from the multifunction switch was all melted and had caught on fire thank god it didn't spread at the time. I had to replace the whole harness and switch and from forums I have come to know that there is a lot this cars with same problem. This has to stop is really dangerous and is costing us a lot of money, it is really unsafe.
Smoke started coming out of the vents & steering column. Took it to the dealer & they said it was spilled anti freeze from when they changed the oil. Car was OK for a little while. Now it's smoking again the front defroster doesn't work the fog lights are gone & recently my highlights went too. I took it to the shop they shown me the burnt wires in steeling column & said the heating coil is damaged making the smell & fogs the window from the fumes. Next to go will be the turning signals & wipers if not fixed.
Multi-function light switch on the column causing wiring harness connector to melt and catch fire. Bright headlights would come on for no reason and not go off. Back of switch itself getting very hot. Replaced the wire harness connector but problem still occurs, cannot turn headlights on for extended amount of time or connector melts and catches fire again.
Started vehicle during rainy, foggy, 40 degree weather. Headlamp indicator did not come on within gauge cluster. Upon checking outside the car, only parking lights were functioning despite headlights switch being in the "on" position. Burning smell occurred within 15 minutes of driving and multifunction harness connector is melted.
While driving 35 MPH steering column caught on fire. Consumer extinguished the fire by turning off the turn signals. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the turn signal switch and wiring harness needed to be replaced.
Recently I was driving my 2003 Dodge Neon sxt going to drop my kids off at my parents house. When I dropped them off my headlights and fog lights were working fine. After dropping them off I got back into my car and started it and went to turn my headlights and fog lights back on only to find that they didn't work! My parking lights and taillights worked but the low beams and fog lights didn't and still don't. I have checked the fuses, the light bulbs and I even checked the switch and they all looked great and from what I can tell the wiring looks good. I belong to a Neon club on the internet and there are others having the same problem. I checked on the internet for a recall on the 03' Neon and I found one for the exterior lighting but when I called the dealership they said that my car wasn't affected by the recall and I would have to pay to get the car fixed. …
The fog light switch stopped working, therefore the fog lights were always on. After stopping at a friends house and the lights worked fine, the headlights and fog lights would not turn on, and the bright lights could only be turned on by pulling and holding the arm back. There was an odd smell, but I thought a fuse must have blown. Changing the fuse did not allow the lights to work. I drove the car home behind our other vehicle, and was stopped by the police with no headlights. I explained the situation and they gave me a warning to have the lights fixed. So I made an appointment the next day to have the lights checked. They found the multi function switch was melted and the wiring harness had to be replaced. I am concerned that this could have happened to my wife with children in the car. No headlights driving at night.
When I use my headlights for 15-20 minutes, I begin to smell a burnt plastic smell and notice the left side of the steering wheel gets very warm. After 20-30 minutes of headlight use the low beams just go dead, it "automatically" switches to high beams immediately. If I try to turn it back down to low beams, everything goes dark (*very* dangerous at night!). Then I am forced to use high beams and blind everyone else for the rest of my trip, or I have to pull over and let the apparent cause (the multifunction switch) cool off for an eternity before resuming my trip. I'm highly uncomfortable knowing that my car has plastic behind the steering wheel on the verge of erupting into flames when I use my headlights. I also consider it extremely hazardous, not only for the fire risk, but also the low beams dying suddenly.
Sometime last year I was having trouble with my fog lights. I would turn the switch to turn them on, but they would not turn on. I went to the dealer several times to get them fixed. I don't remember what the problem was, but they temporarily fixed them each time. Then about 1 week ago, I was driving my car and I noticed a funny smell and white smoke coming out of my steering column. So I pulled over and turned the car off. Every time you turned it back on, the steering column got very hot and white smoke would come out of it. I then proceeded to take it to my dealer. There was some melt down inside of my steering column, which came from the multi-function switch. My car insurance and my warranty would not cover the damage, which totaled $630.
NHTSA investigations
Headlight failure
Odi has reviewed complaints from consumers stating that they do not have headlight function while operating their vehicle.the reports indicate that a loss of both high and low beam headlights is the result of problems with the vehicles multifunction switch and connecting wiring harness.consumersnoticed that the steering column area (where these parts are located) is heating up.in some cases, smoke would come out of…
Headlight failure
This ea was opened after receiving reports that the multifunction switch on these vehicles would fail, causing a loss of headlight illumination.some complainants report loss of headlight function while for others temporary lighting was available by pulling on the multifunction switch stalk to illuminate high beam lighting.analysis of the complaint and warranty data show a low and declining failure trend.further use…
Headlight complaints in other Neon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2003 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the lights of the 2003 Dodge Neon, 24% of the model year's 202 complaints. The component named most often is headlights › switch (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Dodge Neon headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 7 fires and 0 injuries to lights 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.