VehicleVerdict

2005 Dodge Neon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2005 Dodge Neon is among the quieter years of the Neon on NHTSA's books: 133 complaints (42% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations. Complainants reported 25 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (17), body & structure (15), and transmission (15), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

133

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

34

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

25

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Neon years?

Neon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 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, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Neon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Dodge Neon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1713%
Transmission1511%
Body & Structure1511%
Electrical System1511%
Speed Control1511%
Airbags1411%
Brakes108%
Tires & Wheels65%
Other65%
Fuel System54%
Seat Belts32%
Lighting32%
Suspension32%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Steering22%
Seats11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 2005 Dodge Neon have recalls?

4 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.

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.

“MY 2005 DODGE NEON ENTERED INTO A COLLISION WITH A 2001 FORD TAURUS ON 7/4/2014. MY VEHICLE HIT THE FORD TAURUS HEAD-ON INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE FORD TAURUS AT ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE TAURUS. MY SEAT BELT HAD KEPT ME IN MY SEAT, BUT THE AIR BAG HAD FAILED TO DEPLOY, RESULTING IN PERMANENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 4, 2014 · crash

“MY 2005 DODGE NEON ENTERED INTO A COLLISION WITH A 2001 FORD TAURUS ON 7/4/2014. MY VEHICLE HIT THE FORD TAURUS HEAD-ON INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE FORD TAURUS AT ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE TAURUS. MY SEAT BELT HAD KEPT ME IN MY SEAT, BUT THE AIR BAG HAD FAILED TO DEPLOY, RESULTING IN PERMANENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 4, 2014 · crash

“I SHIFTED MY CAR INTO REVERSE AND IT ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND COULD NOT STOP CRASHED THRU MY NEIGHBORS GARAGE DOOR. THERE S NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND COULD NOT STOP WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES EVEN IN NEUTRAL. I CHECKED AND THERE WAS NOTHING UNDER OR BLOCKING THE GAS PEDAL. NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · May 6, 2016 · crash

“DT: ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2005 THE RADIO CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONTACTED DODGE, THEY SENT AN INVESTIGATOR , AND CONSUMER WAS STILL WAITING FOR A DISPOSITION FROM THEM. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THAT THE AMP HAD OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. NOTHING WAS IN CONTACT WITH IT. THERE WAS NO MODIFICATIONS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 24, 2005 · fire

“TL*- THE CONTACT HAS A 2005 DODGE NEON WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 29000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UNDER DRY CONDITIONS WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE CV JOINT FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL AND HIT A BRIDGE. THE CONTACT HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 22, 2006 · crash

2005 Dodge Neon — common questions

Is the 2005 Dodge Neon reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 133 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Neon year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2005 Neon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (17 complaints), body & structure (15 complaints), transmission (15 complaints).

Does the 2005 Dodge Neon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 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.