Wiring problems of the 2003 Dodge Neon

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.

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.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Neon. The contact stated that the instrumental panel lights, brake lights and the directional lights failed while driving. In addition, a burning odor was emitted from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The contact attempted to replace the multifunctional switch but was unable to because the multifunctional switch wiring harness connection failed due to defective plastic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 160,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Neon. The contact stated that smoke was emitted from the steering wheel and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the main ground wiring to the engine was melted and caused the vehicle to stall. In addition, the wiring harness and multi-function switch was also melted. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 125,000.

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.

The fog light switch stopped working, therefore the fog lights were always on. After stopping at a friends house and the lights worked fine, the headlights and fog lights would not turn on, and the bright lights could only be turned on by pulling and holding the arm back. There was an odd smell, but I thought a fuse must have blown. Changing the fuse did not allow the lights to work. I drove the car home behind our other vehicle, and was stopped by the police with no headlights. I explained the situation and they gave me a warning to have the lights fixed. So I made an appointment the next day to have the lights checked. They found the multi function switch was melted and the wiring harness had to be replaced. I am concerned that this could have happened to my wife with children in the car. No headlights driving at night.

December 2008, headlights working fine during trip, stopped for gas, and headlights would not come back on. Used high beams for about 20 minutes and then switched to low beams were then working. Happened at least once a month for the next year. Early March, noticed a burning smell, thought it was outside, lights were working fine. While driving alone at night April 2009, tried to use high beams, but multifunction switch would not stay in place, had to hold the switch back for high beams to work. My hands became very warm sitting on the steering wheel, felt closer to the steering column and was incredibly hot. There was nowhere to stop, had to keep driving another hour or so. Stopped for 5 minutes and shut off vehicle, when vehicle turned back on, headlights wouldn't work. Had to drive with only parking lights at 2am, very unsafe! ever since, headlights no longer work. This has clearly been an issue, and it very easy to find information and other complaints about this same problem. This could have clearly become an even worse problem. Tried to replace the multifunction switch, but the plug was melted in place. Parts were burned black and brown and incredibly brittle from the intense heat that emanated from the wiring. This final problem happened at about 90,000 miles. I am still currently waiting to find the large sum of money to get this fixed. I am currently not able to drive at night , since I do not have proper lighting. Afraid to even use parking lights, as this supplies electrical juice to the switch and could possibly cause a fire, as I have read about other owner's problems.

At 60,000 miles my 2003 Dodge Neon r/t started smoking from the steering column. At the time I thought it was dust caught by the sunlight and since nothing appeared to be wrong with my car, I forgot about it - one week later- I started by car and my headlights wouldn't work, concerned and remembering the "dust in the sunlight the week before, I called the Dodge dealership in the area and dropped off my car a little while later. Turns out the wiring harness on the steering column had overheated and melted together ( there was also a problem with the gas tank pressure but I could never get them to tell exactly what the problem was) luckily the harness was not completely destroyed so the wires could just be replaced. I asked them what caused the problem and if they were just replacing wires, well, wouldn't it happen again? once again all I got were vague non commitale answers, a 1,200 dollar bill, plus, I was refused a courtesy vehicle - yeah I had to foot the bill fr driving a rental car for a week. I research this problem and found that the 1996 Neon had been recalled for this same problem but the cause of the problem was never fixed, also, the pt cruiser has the same defect. The dealership told me that it was not possible and basically what went wrong was my fault, some how. Again very vague and non-committal. I found out that unless a problem is a safety issue, meaning I guess that a few people have to die, a recall will not be issued.

Wiring melted in steering column and head lights would not work. Had to have dealer repair wiring, replace headlight switch.

- the contact stated that while attempting to drive the 2003 Dodge Neon with 52500 failure mileage the headlights did not work. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and they informed the contact that the problem with the headlights was a failure in the wiring. The current mileage was 53000 miles.

2003 Dodge srt-4 (55k) was driving on the freeway and heard a pop. I smelled a foul odor as if something was burning but went away. I did not see any smoke, the windows were down. The car was still riding smoothly so I continue my drive home. Was not till that evening I noticed my headlights or fog lights would not turn on. I did some research on the "forums" and read about similar issues. Apparently my mfs (multi function switch) has failed during my drive and it is confirmed that I have a burnt hole under my connecter in the steering column. This is very dangerous. This could have literally started a fire during my drive and or shut off my lights driving at night. I have read that this has actually happened. Car is at the dealership right now being fixed with my own money!.

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.

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.

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.

(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).

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.

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.

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.

I drive a Dodge Neon srt-4. The number 4 spark plug wire is turning snow white, it look s like if I keep it on, it will eventually fail and burn up. I have heard about someone else's wires burning u, and also have seen pictures. I do not want the same thing to happen to me.