VehicleVerdict

2004 Dodge Neon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2004 Dodge Neon is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 141 owner complaints run below the Neon median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 25 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (26), transmission (23), and electrical system (19), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

141

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

24

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

25

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Neon years?

Neon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted1,415 complaints1993: 4 complaints1994: 10 complaints1995: 1,415 complaints1996: 887 complaints1997: 553 complaints1998: 451 complaints1999: 152 complaints2000: 489 complaints2001: 199 complaints2002: 230 complaints2003: 290 complaints2004: 141 complaints2005: 133 complaints
Neon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Neon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Dodge Neon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2618%
Transmission2316%
Electrical System1913%
Airbags1410%
Brakes118%
Lighting96%
Suspension86%
Speed Control75%
Body & Structure64%
Seat Belts54%
Steering43%
Tires & Wheels32%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Fuel System21%
Seats11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2004 Dodge Neon have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

08E033000SuspensionApril 14, 2008 · 6,903 units

Defect

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

Consequence

THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOLLOWED BY FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 15, 2009 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE NEON. WHILE CLEANING THE VEHICLE AS IT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT ACCIDENTALLY MOVED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT YARD. SHE STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS ABLE TO BE MOVED WITHOUT THE KEYS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 19, 2009 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOLLOWED BY FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 15, 2009 · fire

“DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO SEE WHY THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED , AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND POLICE OFFICER ON SCENE STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 21, 2005 · crash

“TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HIS 2004 DODGE NEON DOWN HILL AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH, HE TRIED TO APPLY THE BREAKS AND THE BRAKES SEIZED, REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRUSHED, AS WELL AS, THE ENGINE FALLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. AT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 16, 2007 · crash

2004 Dodge Neon — common questions

Is the 2004 Dodge Neon reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 141 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Neon year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2004 Neon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (26 complaints), transmission (23 complaints), electrical system (19 complaints).

Does the 2004 Dodge Neon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Dodge Neon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Dodge Neon years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Neon years to avoid are 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 1998. The cleanest record among Neon years belongs to 1993.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.