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2003 Dodge Neon electrical complaints

Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 72, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2003 Dodge Neon electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Dec 31, 2006 · Electrical, Lights · 50,500 miles · MI

2003 dodge neon srt-4 multifunction switch failure. The wiring connector to the switch is melted. Low beam headlights and fog lights will not turn on. Can provide pictures.

Filed Nov 3, 2006 · Electrical · CA

Multi-function switch inside steering column melted wiring harness for headlight switch. Smoke and heat came out of steering column cover. Had to replace dash harness and multi-function switch.

Filed Oct 10, 2006 · Electrical, Lights · 54,000 miles · NC · fire

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.

Filed Sep 26, 2006 · Electrical, Lights · 63,800 miles · AL

My multi-function switch on my 2003 dodge neon short circuited and melted the plug that it connects to I have contacted dodge and searched multiple junk yards for the plug and have been unable to find one dodge charges $1100 for the wiring harness I have no low beam headlights or fog lights and cannot afford the plug from the dealership nothing has been done to fix my problem.

Filed Sep 18, 2006 · Electrical · 45,740 miles · CA

My headlights/fog lights started flickering and all of my dash lights illuminated. I then lost all power for a brief second and then the car came back to normal. I pulled the steering column apart and found the multi-function switch has started to melt. I have not replaced this yet as I just found this today.

Filed Sep 14, 2006 · Electrical, Lights · NY

The problems first started when the fog lights on my 2003 dodge neon had started to come on even when the switch was off. They would do this any time I turned the wheel, or went over a bump. This had been going on for almost 6 months. Then about a week ago, my lights would not turn off. The lever wouldn't click when I hit it to turn them off. They continued to stay on, and then would turn off when they wanted to. After about a day I was driving home at night, and all of a sudden my lights turned off, and would not go back on. If there were no street lights, I could have gotten into a severe accident.

Filed Aug 28, 2006 · Electrical, Lights · 44,410 miles · NY

The multi-switch and wiring harness behind my steering wheel melted rendering my headlights (low-beam) and fog lights inoperable.

Filed Aug 18, 2006 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · FL

Headlights and fog lights not working. Multifunction switch shorting out, the 20 plug wiring harness that connects to the lights portion of the switch gets literally burnt and melts.

Filed Aug 5, 2006 · Electrical, Lights · 30,000 miles · GA · fire

Headlight switch and associated wiring harness shorted and melted resulting in loss of all interior and exterior lighting.

Filed Jun 5, 2006 · Electrical · 54,400 miles · MD

I have a 2003 dodge neon srt-4 and was driving to work when smoke started coming out of my steering column. I got to work and pulled the steering column apart and found that the connector for the multi-function switch (controls the headlights & turn signals) had melted into the switch. Upon discovering that the problem had been had with multiple people driving neons from the same model year, I purchased a replacement switch and wiring harness. I spliced the wires back into place and everything worked but my headlights and fog lights. Upon further investigation, the fuse for the headlights had been blown and needed replacing as well. Questions posed to dodge/daimler-chrysler resulted in dead ends because there were no visible flames.

Filed May 26, 2006 · Electrical, Lights · CA

There was smoke coming from the steering column. I immediately shut down the car. After starting the car, I realized my headlights were not working. I pulled on the multi-function switch twice and regained the use of my headlights. I dropped the vehicle off at the dealership (big valley dodge/subaru) on 5/24/06. On 5/26/06, at about 4:20 pm, I received a call from marvin in the service department. He advised they were going to replace the multi-function switch and wire harness. He also advised I was being charged $386.00 + tax as my car is out of warranty. It seems as there is no tsb on this problem although there are many neon owners having the same problems. Please see links below. Http://www.srtforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3461887#post3461887 http://www.srtforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255414&highlight=multifunction+switch http://www.srtforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=251467&highlight=multifunction+switch http://www.srtforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191421&highlight=multifunction+switch.

Filed May 25, 2006 · Electrical · 38,600 miles · CA

Last week the car stared blowing the dashboard light fuse. I've replaced it 4 times, and they all blew with in a few minutes. The dealer said they spent 2 hours trying to find the problem. I paid the $100.00 diagnostic fee and three blocks from the dealer, the fuse blew again. I took back to them and will pay another $100.00 fee tomorrow. The factory warranty ran out 2600 miles ago, and I purchased chrysler's best maximum car upgrade service contract so I would not have to deal with this kind of stuff, but it is not covered. Now I have a car I can't safely drive at night because I can't see the dashboard.

Filed May 11, 2006 · Electrical · 33,000 miles · AL

This is a problem numerous srt-4 owners as well as neon owners are experiencing (http://www.srtforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=221333, http://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/results.cfm, http://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/results.cfm). My multi-function switch has gone out twice both resulting in instances where the headlights and fog lights do not working. First time I had to pay the dealership to replace the switch. They noted the wiring harness was melted but did not replace nor ask me if I wanted it replaced. This time I replaced the switch myself and headlights and fog lights still don't work. The wiring harness looks completely burnt.

Filed Jan 5, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · 66,928 miles · WV

Dt*: the contact stated while driving the transmission speed sensor shorted and caused the computer to short out. The engine and transmission completely locked and the vehicle stalled. The contact pushed the vehicle to the side of the road, where it was then towed to a certified dealership. The transmission and engine were replaced as a result of the damages caused by the sensor.

Filed Nov 21, 2005 · Electrical, Transmission · 33,136 miles · TN

Dt: the contact stated the engine stalled and died at highway speeds. When this occurred there was total loss of power. The vehicle would not restart. The vehicle had to be towed to a dealer. The dealer replaced the battery, alternator, and the power train control module. The dealer has been unable to accurately diagnose the problem. No further repairs have been made at this time.

Filed Oct 31, 2005 · Electrical · 56,400 miles · PA

(1)headlights and driving lights ( that was put on by dodge) went out. (2) wire harness and turn signal/ headlight switch at steering wheel melted together.!!!!! Never blowing a fuse !!!!! Found out the driving lights were staying on at highbeam. When they were supposed to go out. (3) replacing the switch and had the end of the wire harness replaced. Old part is not available (forgot to get from mechanic).

Filed Oct 20, 2005 · Electrical, Fuel system · 21,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Sep 29, 2005 · Electrical · 75,760 miles · NC · fire

Dt: the vehicle caught on fire from the wiring under the dashboard. This happened on september 6, 2005, contacted the dealer, and they were going to investigate it, but have not done so. The vehicle cut off, and smoke came out from under the dash. Then , the vehicle turned on four times by itself while consumer holding the key in hand. The horn started blowing and windshield wipers came on.

Filed Sep 26, 2005 · Electrical, Lights · 23,237 miles · CA

Dt: the vehicle would shut down completely while in motion and the steering would lock. Also, the hazard lights would not come on. This was the third time this problem occurred in a ten month span. The first time this happened was on november 15, 2004, the second was march 23, 2005, and september 25, 2005. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer twice, and they replaced the battery twice. There was no forewarning, noise and or warning lights. *ak (11/21/05)

Filed Jun 26, 2005 · Body, Brakes · 10,728 miles · MN

I have a 2003 dodge neon that I bought brand new with one mile on it when I took it off the lot. Since that dreadfull day I have had problems with the vehicle starting around 10k miles. First some electrical componets in the sound system went out. From there I have had to have the rotors replacedbecause nearly every 5k miles starting around 10,500 miles. The car has a hard time starting when the temperatures get too close to 20 degrees f, when you get to zero forget it. I have had the battery tested my dealer charged me $30.00 some odd dollars to do that and said it is just me. When it gets too hot like around 85 degrees or so it runs like it is boging down. The fule injection sensors have gone out twice 200 miles appart and at this time the vehicle has nearly 33k miles on it. I have it serviced every 3k miles and have changed the air filter and spark plugs as directed. I also have all of my service receipts from the trips to the dealr I reguards to the electrical, break and injection work I have had done. The vehicle has also been taken to three diferent dodge dealers hoping one would find something the others keept overlooking. More info can and will be provided if requested.

Filed Jun 2, 2005 · Electrical · 23,200 miles · TN

While driving 60 MPH on I-35 in san antonio, texas in january, 2004, my 2003 neon r/t (with approximately 10,865 miles) experienced a complete loss of power. Luckily the momentum was great enough to allow me to pull off to the side of the highway. I checked the vehicle (cable connections and fuses) and could find nothing wrong. After 10 minutes the car started and ran fine. I took it to gunn dodge in san antonio in february, and they said a cell in the battery checked bad and that was what caused the total loss of power. They replaced the battery. While driving from san antonio, texas to knoxville, tennessee on april 18, 2005, the car again experienced a total loss of power while I was driving at approximately 60 MPH, outside of dallas, texas. I was again able to pull off to the side of the highway, and I detected a slight scent of electrical components overheating.. Again all cables and fuses appeared to be ok, but car would not start. As I was talking with chrysler roadside assistance on my cell phone, my wife checked the positive battery cable connection, I attempted to start the car, and it started (approximately 20 minutes after the total loss of power). I was able to complete the trip to knoxville, tennessee without incident. I took my car to rice chrysler-dodge in knoxville on april 19, 2005 (car had 24001 miles). After several hours, the service advisor informed me all cables, wires and fuses checked out fine, as did all ground connections. He also told me they had called chrysler to speak with an engineer about the problem, and the engineer could think of no reason why my car had experienced a total loss of power while driving at highway speeds, nor had he any knowledge of this happening to anyone else.

Filed May 22, 2005 · Electrical · 22,800 miles · CA

My 2003 dodge neon, purchased from carmax near lax in inglewood, ca. It now has under 24000 miles, and has stalled in traffic 7 times in the past 1500 miles, twice failing to re-start in traffic, and once again in a parking garage. The 1st time was about 5 months ago in west los angeles. The vehicle re-started only after a jump from aaa, and stalled 2 more times as I drove to the carmax location for service. Carmax failed to find anything wrong to explain the stall, & found only a loose battery terminal bolt, which they said caused the stalling. They tightened the bolt and returned the car to me. Less than 5 weeks later, the car stalled 3 times again around town, restarted after 20 minutes, and finally stalled in santa monica, when the entire electrical system died, no brake lights or safety hazard lights at all, and the car would not restart. I had chrysler towing take the car to buerge chrysler in west la, and they could not duplicate the problem, & declared that the battery was fine. They said a service bulletin suggested "flashing the power control module", which they did. The car was returned to service. Less than 6 weeks later, the car stalled on the road twice again, and once more in an underground parking garage, where it would not restart: again, no power at all, no brake lights or hazard lights. The car was again towed to buerge, and 2 days later they claimed to have found a defective connector on the battery grounding cable, which was replaced. The car was returned to service. When a car is barely 2 years old with less than 24000 miles on it, and stalls 7 times, 3 times stranding the driver, in the midst of traffic, this must be considered a significant safety hazard. I still owe the bank $$ for this lemon, and am afraid to venture too far for fear that the alleged fixes of tighteedg bolts, flashed pcms, and replaced connectors may not be certain fixes. Chrysler needs to get to the bottom of this inexcusable problem.

Filed Feb 22, 2005 · Electrical · 42,000 miles · NJ

Feb 18,2005 while driving my car all of a sudden the headlights failed the car was taken to my mechanic and it was determined that the headlight switch was faulty and the wiring harness and connector had melted.

Filed Feb 10, 2005 · Electrical, Fuel system · 45,000 miles · DC

I have a dodge neon 2003. January 2004 I took my car in for routine service (oil change/plugs. About a week later a spark plug shot out of cylinder one. I call the service department and took it by the dealship (darcars) they put the spark plug back in but my car hasn't run properly yet.they refuse to take responsibility for the problem because it's takes a thousand dollar or more to fix. I've had dianogstics done and now the car is be repaired at lee's auto shop with problems hard for mr. Lee to fix (electronic problem in the no. 4 cylinder; it won't open and close properly. Lee's done all he could do so far (the car now is still in his shop. It's been about a week). Furthermore I was told afterward that a new car dosn't need a tune up for two years. I think the service guy should have informed me of that instead he took my money with no refund. The exact day I don't have right now but I could get it I have all my problem paper work.

Filed Dec 8, 2004 · Electrical, Lights · 42,000 miles · PA · fire

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.

Filed Oct 23, 2004 · Electrical · 32,000 miles · CA

Car was 5 months old when it started to jerk & basically turn off intermittantly while I was driving at different speeds, the radio would turn off completely & the seatbelt lights on the dash would light up, the car would turn back on and then revv as though being down-shifted and then go back to normal. The problem proceeded to get worse to the point where the car stalled in traffic & I was broke down in the center divider. Dodge dealership has failed to find a solution after three visits & now my car is hooked up to a co-pilot. This problem remains unfixed & even more dangerous to drive. Has stalled three times on the freeway!

Filed Sep 8, 2004 · Electrical · 11,925 miles · TN

Consumer stated that while she was on her way to the doctor's office she experienced some funny things with vehicle. It seemed as though one of the wheels locked, and the vehicle jerked. Also, it smelled like burning rubber. Consumer stated that later it unlocked by itself and powered itself up, and then took off. Nothing else happened again. She was at doctor's office where she parked for 2 hours. Afterward she got back into vehicle to return home, and the vehicle did the same identical thing after about 20 miles. All of this happened after putting coolant in the vehicle. Consumer insisted that she needed help because she could have been killed. *ak vehicle stalled while driving.

Filed Jul 6, 2004 · Airbags, Electrical · 8,800 miles · CO · crash · 2 injuries

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. *nm 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.

Filed Jun 24, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · IL

Problems with starting up vehicle.*mr the vehicle was taken tot he dealer on several occasions about the starting problem. The vehicle also experienced erratic idling. The dealer found a large vacuum leak which caused the high idle.

Filed Jun 7, 2004 · Electrical · NC

My neon will sporatically lose all power then regains power within a few seconds. It has been in for service several times for the same problem. I am the mother of 5 yr old twins and their safety should be of the utmost concern to the dadge company.

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