Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Neon had to have the manual transmission replaced twice within the total milage of 20,000 miles. The car was delivered with a defective battery temperature sensor, and 1 month before the car caught fire it was in the shop and the mechanic failed to replace the battery tiedown bar. On August 26, 2004 the car caught fire while the ignition was off and was driven for only 5 miles. The vehicle also had a bad passanger seat belt buckle. Many passangers complained of it being difficult to insert the belt into the locking mechanism.
Oil problem although I paid thousands for repairs.-but the engine light flashes when car is stopped at a traffic light or idling for even a short time. When car is in motion, a steady engine light is on all the time, except when it flashes. This has been happening for a couple of years. I need info on this and all recalls or complimentary repairs available . I need to be safe .thank you.
1) no warning of upcoming part failure. Car was being driven on the highway at normal speed (55) preparing to decelerate/downshift, damp road conditions, but wasn't currently raining. Car is a 2003 Dodge Neon r/t. Part in question is new to the 2003 model year. 2) clutch master cylinder assembly (master cylinder,hydraulic line, and release cylinder-sealed assy.) hydraulic line broke off while downshifting coming off the h3 into the usmc base (many swerves and need to slow down.) this resulted in a loss of fluid to the pressure plates causing the transmission to not disengage properly. The car does not shift properly, and the engine RPM's do not drop when the clutch is pressed. The stick cannot be pulled out of gear into neutral if the car is moving even 10mph. This could have been a hazardous/fatal problem under other circumstances. …
I have a 2003 Dodge Neon sxt. I purchased the car in 2008. 6 months later the transmission gave out. The car would not run at all. There were no warnings to this. Aamaco said that the radiator blew which LED to the coolant and trans. Fluid mixing together and destroying the transmission. I had no warranty because the car was bought used. It cost me 3500 dollars to fix this problem.now the check engine light keeps coming on and the car is burning fuel. I am getting anywhere from 10 to 17 mpg depending on the day. I have taken the car to three different mechanics, including a dealership, who can not figure out what is wrong with it. The worst problem yet is that when it is raining outside and I am driving the car there is a small thunking noise, and then a loud thunking noise that locks up the rear tires and brings the car to a skidding halt. …
I am the 2nd hand owner of this vehicle. I have been in possession of it for about a year and 1/2 have meticulously maintained it and it has 55,000 mile on it. Recently the transmission became rather jumpy and it was to go into service but the day before I was to schedule an appointment it was more jumpy than usual and I smelt trans. Fluid through my air vents. Checked trans. Fluid and found nothing on the stick, shut if off, looked under the car and there was a puddle of pink fluid under on the ground. Looked at the little bit of fluid that was the trans stick and it was the same color. Looked in the coolant, same fluid as on the stick and the ground. My radiator had given out mixing my coolant with trans. Fluid. This left me to pay $974 out of pocket because Chrysler would not help pay for this common problem. Car is under a 7/70K power train warranty. Radiator is not covered.
I bought my 2003 Neon with 18,000 miles. Immediately I noticed the car shifted hard and sometimes when putting into gear would not go into drive. I took to my dealership on 3 occassions, once in 08/03, once in 12/03, and once in 03/04. All three times I was told that the car shifted fine and that the problem could not be "duplicated". On 08/04/03, I was traveling down the interstate whne my transmission locked up and rendered my car inoperable and immobile. Car was towed to dealership and was told that the transmission failed and that they had never seen anything like it before. I was given a totally new transmission unit. Since then the car has been shifting funny and it also hesitates a lot, especially in the late afternoon when it is fairly warm out.
Bought car new and I am meticulous about it's maintenance. Oil seal in manual transmission has failed twice now. Once in 2004 with about 10,000 mi. On the car with no damage to clutch disc and again now in 2008 with 45,000 mi. This time the clutch disc was contaminated with oil and was not included in the repair under Chrysler's 7 yr. 70,000 mi. Drivetrain warranty. Ended up paying for a new clutch assembly as well as the 100.00 deductible. This car has been a nightmare. This is just one of about 15 times this car has been in for major repair.
Dt: the contact stated the horn was not working. The horn was replaced on August 3, 2004 and the problem recurred. On September 10, 2004 . She started having problems with the vehicle not starting when cranked. She stated after several attempts it would start. The vehicle was again taken to the dealership , and they replaced the fuel pump, the fuel pressure regulator, and the flashed PCM. The vehicle was not starting again; this began on October 19, 2005. The vehicle will have to be towed this time.
3 days after purchasing vehicle, it would not go into reverse. After several attempts, and the engine engaged in neutral, it would violently jump into reverse. Dodge fixed the problem with reverse; currently vehicle continues to lunge violently forward after stopping, forcing me to put in park at lights, intersections; etc., to avoid rear-ending other vehicles. I have had the vehicle in the shop on three occasions, and they are unable to find the problem!
Tl contact owns 2003 Dodge Neon. The contact stated the check engine light remained illuminated and within a few minutes the transmissions second gear failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer numerous times to diagnose the failure. The dealer stated that the transmission had metal shavings, but they did not correct the failure. The failure mileage was 34,000 and the current mileage was 84,000. The manufacturer will be contacted.
Transmission complaints in other Neon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Dodge Neon, 14% of the model year's 202 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Dodge Neon transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.