The Good
The 2003 Dodge Neon offered a balance of performance and value. Its responsive engine and available manual transmission provided an engaging driving experience (emotional appeal). From a practical perspective, it boasted decent fuel efficiency and a roomy interior for a compact car. Its affordability made it an attractive option for budget-minded buyers.
The Bad
The 2003 Dodge Neon had some known weaknesses. Potential buyers should watch out for cooling system issues, particularly with the radiator and head gasket. Some owners reported electrical problems and premature wear of certain suspension components. Rust can also be a concern, especially in regions with harsh winters.
2003 Dodge Neon: Quick Overview
- Engine Options:
- 2.0L SOHC 4-cylinder
- Horsepower:
- 132 hp @ 5600 rpm (standard)
- 150 hp @ 6400 rpm (R/T)
- Fuel Economy:
- Estimated 29 mpg city / 36 mpg highway (manual transmission)
- Estimated 26 mpg city / 33 mpg highway (automatic transmission)
- 0-60 Times:
- Approximately 8.1 - 9.0 seconds (depending on transmission and trim)
- Towing Capacity:
- Not recommended for towing.
- Trim-Level Features:
- SE: Base model, typically includes standard features like air conditioning, AM/FM radio, and basic cloth seats.
- SXT: Often adds features such as power windows, power locks, keyless entry, and upgraded upholstery.
- R/T: Sport-tuned suspension, performance tires, rear spoiler, fog lights, and upgraded interior trim. It has a more powerful engine with 150 horsepower.
- Optional Features: Some models included optional features like a sunroof, premium sound system, and anti-lock brakes (ABS).
2003 Dodge Neon Specifications
Vehicle Information
| Year | 2003 |
| Make | Dodge |
| Model | Neon |
| Trim | - |
| Style | - |
| Type | Sedan |
| Category | Compact Car |
Manufacturing Details
| Made In | United States |
| Manufacturing City | - |
Dimensions
| Doors | - |
| Curb Weight | - |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating | - |
| Overall Height | - |
| Overall Length | - |
| Overall Width | - |
| Wheelbase Length | - |
| Standard Seating | - |
Engine & Performance
| Engine | 2.0 L 4-Cyl. |
| Engine Size | 2L |
| Engine Cylinders | 4 |
| Transmission | - |
| Transmission Type | - |
| Transmission Speeds | - |
| Drivetrain | - |
Additional Features
| Anti-Brake System | - |
| Steering Type | - |
Pricing
| Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) | - |
| Invoice Price | - |
| Delivery Charges | - |
Vehicle History Report
Specifications
History
Events
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Listings
Recalls
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Analysis
What Problems Does the 2003 Dodge Neon Have?
Recalls for the 2003 Dodge Neon were issued for various safety concerns, including potential issues with the airbags and fuel system components. These recalls are important to check when considering a used model to ensure that the necessary repairs have been completed. Long-term reliability can be a concern due to these recurring issues, and diligent maintenance is crucial to extend the vehicle's lifespan. Early Neons had severe transmission issues; however, by 2003, these were mostly ironed out, but checking the transmission fluid is a good idea.
How long will the 2003 Dodge Neon last?
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Technology & Safety Features are Included?
Safety features typically included front airbags. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) were often an optional feature, not standard. Driver-assistance features were minimal. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted crash tests. NHTSA gave the 2003 Dodge Neon 4 stars for driver and passenger in the frontal crash test and 3 stars for the driver and passenger in the side crash test. The IIHS gave the Neon a rating of "Acceptable" in the moderate overlap frontal crash test. Keep in mind that safety standards and testing methodologies have evolved significantly since 2003, so these ratings should be viewed in the context of that time.
What Colors Options are Available?
Exterior Colors
Interior Colors
2003 Dodge Neon Prices and Market Value
2003 Dodge Neon Cost of Ownership
2003 Dodge Neon Fuel Efficiency
2003 Dodge Neon Safety Rating
NHTSA
2003 Dodge Neon Insurance
reasonable repair costs.
How Does the 2003 Dodge Neon Compare to Other Sedan?
In terms of price, the Neon was often more affordable than the Civic or Corolla. Alternatives to consider would be a used Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla for better reliability, or a Mazda Protege for a balance of fun and dependability. A Ford Focus of the same era is a comparable alternative but research specific model year reliability.
Ranks #2194 Sedan
| 1 | 2023 Toyota Camry | (5.0★) |
| 2 | 2023 Honda Accord | (0.0★) |
| 3 | 2023 Lexus ES | (0.0★) |
| 4 | 2024 Subaru Legacy | (5.0★) |
| 5 | 2022 Mazda MX-30 | (4.0★) |
| 6 | 2024 BMW M3 | (0.0★) |
| 7 | 2023 Ford Mustang | (5.0★) |
| 8 | 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT | (0.0★) |
| 9 | 2023 Audi A3 | (0.0★) |
| 10 | 2023 Chevrolet Camaro | (5.0★) |
| 11 | 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid | (0.0★) |
| 12 | 2023 Nissan Altima | (4.0★) |
| 2194 | 2003 Dodge Neon | (5.0★) |
Final Verdict: Is the 2003 Dodge Neon a Good Sedan?
Brian F on June 2, 2022
Do NOT buyOwned my SRT-4 for 1 month. It ran for a total of 1 day. Motor blew and ended up losing tons of money. Definitely don't buy. Built terribly too, interior was falling apart and motor consumed 1 quart of oil every 150 miles. 95% of these cars have been abused and not maintained well. Also you'd think it would get good gas mileage since it's a 4-cylinder but that turbo makes it suck down a gallon every 12ish miles. Also it was so rusty it would have metal dropping off of it just sitting in my garage. These are not good cars and they should probably all be scrapped so their materials can be used to make better cars that won't break.
Nelly on February 7, 2021
This is a confortable car.I had been driving this car for a lot of time and his engine is very good. I always drove him from my house to work
Padro on December 28, 2020
Its a confortable carIt is a comfortable and long-lasting car. The spare parts are cheap. It helped me a lot to transport me every day from work to my house
Happy person on November 16, 2020
Ford Tracer Ford Mustang Ford falconI love this car cuz it rides smooth easy on gas also very comfortable. Nice looking.so far no problems I have a bad back so the seats r great for me.
swÄ—rvÄ— on January 14, 2020
Ride or DieThis car has pulled through for me on numerous occasions. She is my ride or die. There are so many things you can do with these cars to custom make them your own it's insane. Highly recommend for a daily, as long as you take care of it.
Beeper on September 1, 2019
My favorite carI've had my Neon for 14 years and have been driving my new car (2013 Mazda3) for 6 months. Here are the things the Neon is much better at: * comfortable -- there is plenty of leg room even when I'm pulled up close to the steering wheel. The door provides a perfectly placed elbow rest. * heats up quickly -- at least compared to the Mazda which takes at least 5 miles to warm up in the winter. If you live in a cold place like me, you know that every minute counts, and you don't want your car to get warm only when you arrive at your destination! * great speaker system and 6-disc changer -- sound quality is great, I can listen to tunes for hours without touching or changing anything. Buttons are much easier to operate than on Mazda. Newer cars with touch screens are frankly distractions from the road. I like to be able to press a button and not have to go through a whole menu to do it! * huge trunk -- even though the Neon is compact, the trunk space can't be beat. I compared so many cars when car shopping online and couldn't find a small sedan with a small engine that had as much space as this! Plus back seats fold down for even more room! * really excellent acceleration * great mpg Cons: Well, it did break down a lot, even for an old car. I probably spent $1,000 per year on repairs, on average, after the car was 10 years old. Plus one mechanic gave me a big attitude, called it condescendingly "a Dodge product." My previous car was a Dodge, too! The engine is pretty loud compared to newer cars. Overall, fun, sporty, perfect size for a single person or couple, although the backseat's pretty big too (but it's not an SUV or van, which is what all families seem to want these days). I had so much fun with this car and truly loved it.
Sheri Baby on May 30, 2019
GREAT Car for the MoneyThe Dodge Neon SXT is a GREAT car for the money. It runs very well, has a comfortable interior with plenty of leg room and has a radio that works well. I LOVE this car.
Showstopper on January 4, 2019
Bane of my existence!Buyer beware! The car is nothing but a money pit! I have had nothing but problems since buying the car used at 119,000 miles. The 3rd owner practically gave the car to me. Already replaced the transmission, head gasket, radiator along with the cap and sensor, both front headlights, fog lights, hand/eBrake assembly, battery and now the transmission is shot again! The car is literally falling apart! 🙁
MiguelG on March 30, 2018
UnreliableThis is car okay if you?re not driving far distances or in the summer. This car had a lot of problems. A lot of separate pieces had to be purchased
Kenny B. on March 3, 2018
Neon R/T: Good car but has it's problemsIt's a fun little car to drive with the 5 speed. Gets between 26-30 mpg. Its had problems with motor mounts and timing belt though, neither of which was a cheap fix. Especially the timing belt. $1500 in repairs because of it being an interference engine and it snapped while running. Had to have the engine's head sent to a machine shop for reworking. Regardless of the repairs it has been a great little car and a ton of fun to drive.
Simon A
Simon is a contributor to VinCheck, where he provides articles and reviews on various automotive topics. His work focuses on delivering accurate and up-to-date information about used cars, helping readers make informed decisions.