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.
2003 Dodge Neon: headlights failing or too dim
60 of the 202 complaints about the 2003 Dodge Neon describe headlights failing or too dim.
- owner complaints
- 60
- of this car's complaints
- 30%
- typical repair cost reported
- $456
- typical mileage
- 70,000
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 2 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Headlights failing or too dim by model year
What owners say
Odor of burning plastic, caused by overheated wiring (pin 16) on turn signal and light control. Light would only function on low beam ; while high beam indicator was lit . Fog lamps have been lit ,when switch is headlamp on position, for three years. They could not be turned off unless you used left turn signal. When headlamp malfunctioned I bought replacement switch. During installation, found wiring harness terminal was difficult to remove, as it was malformed and brittle due to excess heat. I took pictures to document wire position; there is no pin 15 or 10 : also no wire to terminal positions 15,10, and 12. There is a pin 12 on the switch.
As I was driving down the road with my lights on, I began to see and smell smoke coming from steering column. I turn the lights off and the smoke cleared up and went away. After some time, I turned the lights back on with no problem to be found at this time. A week or so later the headlight switch would not work unless you pulled the high beam switch, then and only as you held the switch the lights would work. ( if you have never sit and held the switch while driving at night ( of course ) to get home it is no fun. ) that week end I pulled the covers off the column and pulled the harness out of switch to find it was melted. Needless to say I am down a vehicle until this is fixed. Luckily there was no fire.
Started to see smoke and then the headlights stopped working properly. After disassembling the wiring connector from the headlight switch, I discovered the connector had overheated to the point it was charred and crumbling to pieces. This is not a misuse by operator, but a safety failure of the electrical system. This could have resulted in a fire as the fuse protecting this circuit did not fail when the circuit obviously overheated and melted and charred the plastic connector.
Smelled hot wiring and headlights stopped working properly. After disassembling the wiring connector from the headlight switch, I discovered the connector had overheated to the point it was charred and crumbling to pieces. This is not a misuse by operator, but a safety failure uf the electrical system. This could have resulted in a fire as the fuse protecting this circuit did not fail when the circuit obviously overheated and melted and charred the plastic connector. I have pictures of the part if you would like them.
My wire harness/ multifunction switch has melted causing my headlight and fog lights not to work.
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.
Headlights went out while driving at night then would only operate intermittently until finally they didn't work at all. Took off the multifunction switch and the electrical connector to the switch was melted. After some research I found out that the manufacturers made the wires too small to carry the electrical load.
First the fog lights would turn on and off randomly when the headlights were on. Upon inspection of the multi-function switch, I noticed a portion of the plug had melted from extreme heat. Most likely due to a poor design in the wiring, the circuits or the multi-function switch. Had this been left unnoticed it could easily result in extensive damages, fire or personal harm.
I have been having problem with my car for about 6 months. One of the problems were my high beams will operate but my low beams wouldn't. Now my high beams will operate but I am unable to switch to my low beams. The second problem is with my battery dying several times which resulted in getting a jump from another car. I end up having a battery and alternator replaced on my car last year between nov/dec 2010. Just recently I noticed smoke coming from my steering column located near the steering wheel and the smell of something burning. This happen while I was driving. My car didn't start monday 3-28-11 morning so I had it towed to the dealership where I bought the car from. The mechanic had to replace the battery. They ran a diagnostic on the car but no readings regarding electrical problems. The important question pertains to what is draining the battery.
Just driving one day evening, about 1.5 hours onto the trip I start to smell something wierd and a few minuets later my headlights start to flicker and then they shutoff. I pulled over and checked the fuses, they were all good. I had to stay in a nearby hotel that night. The next morning I looked at an online forum for a solution and found one that suggested that the harness melts. I pulled off the sterring colum and to find the connector into the multifunction switch has completly melted. I bought a new harness and switch and installed myself. The forum said that to keep the headlights off as much as possible to not let the wires get too hot.
While the headlights are on and signaling for a right turn the fog lights come on the entire time it was in that position. This happens every time now although the fog light switch is in the off position. While trying to find the source of the problem I noticed that movement of the turn signal stalk in a circular motion also turned on the fog lights briefly.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2003 Dodge Neon headlights
Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 2003 Dodge Neon?
60 of 202 owner complaints about the 2003 Dodge Neon (30%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 2003.
How much does it cost to fix headlights failing or too dim on the 2003 Dodge Neon?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $456 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Dodge Neon?
There are 0 recalls and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2003 Dodge Neon
Fire or smoke 22Stalling 12No deployment 9Grinding brakes 8Check engine light 8Overheating 7Ball joint 6Loss of power 6Jerking 5Transmission failure 5
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