2003 Dodge Neon Consumer Reviews
Fuel Economy
22 - 28 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(126 Total Reviews)
Great Car...if you upgrade
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Neon SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I have had this car for three years now. Bought it with 44,000 miles on it and have taken it to 100,000. Really fun car to drive. As an experienced mech, i new that dodge parts are not even close to par, so i installed aftermarket parts for nearly every system on the car. Costly yes, but well worth it. The only original parts that have had to be replaced due to fault are the Cam position sensor (which all dodges are notorious for), EVAP canister(naturally due to mileage), and the timing belt(again, naturally due to mileage). Other than that, great car for the price. I would suggest you are at least somewhat of an experienced mech though. Parts are SOOOO cheap for this car. Labor is not.
Favorite Features
Strong 132 stock HP 2.0L, Great stock sound system, Outstanding handling, and overall great endurance for long range high rpm drives.
Suggested Improvements
HA...Tranny needs to be completely overhauled and taken back to the drawing board.The tranny cooler is directly linked to the radiator(ASKING FOR PROBLEMS). The Neon is 1 out of 6 compacts in production with this set up. And 1 out of 13 cars total. 6 of which dodge currently produces.FYI
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
Why did they discontinue the Neon?
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Neon SXT 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought this car new when the 2004 were coming out. Got a great deal from the dealership in Gurnee, Illinois. The car has been very reliable with regular maintenance. I have 145,000 miles on it and just got it paid off last year. I use this as a commuter car and I have a newer family car Subaru, Tribeca for longer trips. I plan on driving the Neon until the wheels fall off for commuting 65 miles one way to work. I was going to have the timing belt changed at 100000 miles but I was told it didn't need to be replaced. Only major repair was the clutch at 90000 miles for 800 bucks.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
1 out 2 people found this review helpful
Good car for me.
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Neon SXT 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Bought new at the beginning of 2003, now have 110000 miles on it. Haven't had to much trouble with it in 6 years, had transmission replaced at 60002 miles under warranty, had to have steer rack replace six months ago since there was a loose passenger side tie rod(it was probably from hit a curb in a parking lot several years), and am currently have the alternator replaced. I'm not one to keep up with the maintenance schedule, fix it as it needs it. Most of the few other things that I have done are all normal things that wear out with mileage. Over all been very reliable, did have to have in towed a couple of weeks ago, one of the original rear brakes locked up, but it has been 110,000 miles.
Favorite Features
Gas mileage good and comfortable to drive.
Suggested Improvements
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
A good first new car...
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Neon SXT 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought my Neon new in 2003, and for the most part, enjoyed it. I've had some rough idling issues which were covered under the powertrain warranty, but other than that no major repairs. Considering I spend about $12,000 for the car, it's been well worth the money. I'd definitely take a look at this car if you're looking for a commute vehicle. I probably average about 28 mpg with 85% highway/15% city driving. Not bad at all!
Favorite Features
Good gas mileage. Fun to drive. Sporty looking.
Suggested Improvements
Chrysler/Dodge need to start making small car hybrids. I'd love to see a Caliber hybrid.
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
My 2nd Neon
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Neon SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I brought this vehicle used with 62,127mi on it at a dealer my older sister boyfriend works at, so i got a really good deal on it. My 1st Neon was a 97 Highlight and its life ended around 238k give or take 5k so, I thought I might get lucky with this as well.....omg, I was WRONG!! The heater was not working right, so i took to Dodge(it was still under warranty) they claimed it was the thermostat, but in the process of replacing this thermostat they broke a senser on the intake manifold which made the car idle very high, but they fix that. I STILL HAVE NO HEATER!!! I had to replace the radio about 4weeks after all of that drama. she has been good to me but I will be trading up some for a VW.
Favorite Features
Handling Interior just wish it was the darker color, I have tan interior
Suggested Improvements
Any vehicle made after 2002 should be standard with ABS, Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-Pitch control, and Curtain & Side Airbag. Manufactures!!!Stop Being Cheap when it comes to safety!!! I would keep this car if it had all of the above. Better seals on Transmissions. full size spare
0 out 2 people found this review helpful
Nothing but tranny issues
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 4 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 4 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Neon SXT 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought this car new toward the end of 2002. Drove fine for the first 1 1/2 years then started having tranny problems. Would jerk real hard when down shifting almost locking the front tires up. Dealer replaced every internal part and the problem still wasn't fixed. Took it back about 2 months later and they said they could not find anything wrong. Well another 4 months or so and it started it again this time it was the harness and they replace it. Well another 3-4mths it had again. they replace the speed sensor and harness. and now for the 10th time total they are replacing all internals in the tranny again. Do not buy this car used.
Favorite Features
Decent stereo, good gas mileage
Suggested Improvements
Better tranny
3 out 4 people found this review helpful
Work Horse
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Neon SXT 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought this car new and have put 145K (mostly highway) miles on it so far. Absolutely no problems whatsoever. Normal maintenance ie change timing belt at 100K, regular oil changes etc. Fun to drive. Now working in rural area and car is handling the rough terrain and dirt roads without a problem.
Favorite Features
Acceleration. Comfortable. Reliable
Suggested Improvements
Why manual back seat windows?
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
My first car was a disaster
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 4 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Neon SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Needed a car to get to work and college. Bought a used 2003 Dodge Neon from dealership with 54,000 miles on it. Ran great for the first few months. Then it idled rough so I replaced spark plugs and wires. Ran good for a while. Had trans flushed at 62,000 miles and things went downhill. Radiator ruptured two months later. Trans fluid leaked out, coolant fluid contaminated the trans. Replaced radiator. At 68,500 miles had AAMCO inspect it. Said trans was good but needed to replace motor mounts.The day before Thanksgiving the transmission went(71,000 miles) Mechanic says the coolant fluid that got in the trans, destroyed it. Thought it would be an easy maintenance first car. Boy was I wrong!
Favorite Features
Handles good. Great gas mileage. Fun car. Easy to find parts to maintain it.
Suggested Improvements
Radiator problems leading to Trans failure seem to be common issues. It would be nice to have lever to pop the trunk instead of having to turn off the car and using the key to open the trunk.
3 out 3 people found this review helpful
Do not buy this vehicle!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 3 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Neon SXT 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Despite taking great care of my car, I've had nothing but problems with it. My brakes have needed work on multiple occasions. I've had to call AAA three times in the past 6 months alone due to the car breaking down and leaving me stranded, all at less than 55,000 miles. Dodge acknowledges there are many issues with the car's radiator, but they won't do anything to help you, even when the problematic radiator fries your transmission and needs costly repair work. My Neon has eaten 2 radiators in the past month alone, and I've given up on it at this point. Avoid this car completely unless you want to spend $500+ each year on costly repairs that a reliable vehicle wouldn't even need.
Favorite Features
It's affordable for a college student who needs to watch their budget. The gas mileage and sound system are decent.
Suggested Improvements
Well, they stopped making the vehicle - that should tell you something right there. This car is a great example as to why the American auto industry is doing so poorly.
3 out 4 people found this review helpful
The best first car ever!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Neon SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I love, I mean love this car! wicked fun to drive, and so easy to handle. I fell for it when my eyes saw it, so cute and really reliable
Favorite Features
definitely the CD player and the awesome gas mileage, which is great being a college student.
Suggested Improvements
More leg room for taller people, my dad has a heck of a time getting in.
3 out 3 people found this review helpful
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