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2005 Dodge Neon Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2005 Dodge Neon has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Water intrusion into floor and trunk.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2005 Dodge Neon.

Reported to NHTSA

Water intrusion into floor and trunk

STRUCTURE

8 NHTSA complaints · 2006-03 → 2019-08

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE NEON. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER ON THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS AND THE TRUNK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10787944
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HAD A DEFECTIVE SEAL THAT ALLOWED MOISTURE TO SEEP INTO THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11245509
“BECAUSE RAIN SEASON HERE IN MEXICO WE HAD SEVERAL DAYS RAINING ALMOST THE ENTIRE DAY. YESTERDAY WHEN A TAKE MI WIFE TO WORK I NOTICED THAT THE RUG OF MY CARS FLOOR WAS WET”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10233741

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Manual transmission gear engagement failure

POWER TRAIN

13 NHTSA complaints · 2006-03 → 2016-05

“MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT GO INTO 3RD. GEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10170281
“I HAVE A 2005 DODGE NEON SRT-4. I PURCHASED THE CAR LAST MAY BRAND NEW WITH 2 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. SINCE ABOUT 800 MILES I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE 3RD GEAR DURING BOTH UP SHIFTING AND DOWN SHIFTING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10162695
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE BECOMES MOBILE IN ANY GEAR WHILE IT IS PARKED. THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ROLLED DOWNHILL AND SLIPPED INTO REVERSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10190421

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment in frontal and side crashes

AIR BAGS

14 NHTSA complaints · 2005-11 → 2016-05

“DODGE NEON 2005 RAN A RED LIGHT , HIT A LARGE VAN TOTAL MY CAR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10230777
“MY WIFE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE BACK @ APPROXIMATED 45 MILES PER HOUR WITH SUBSTANTIAL FRONT END DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END (TOTAL LOSS) NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10142655
“2005 DODGE NEON INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10280977

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration and stuck throttle

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

12 NHTSA complaints · 2006-12 → 2022-08

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH AND ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY TO SPEEDS OF 95 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10449700
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNG FORWARD WITHOUT THE ACCELERATION PEDAL BEING PUSHED. THIS HAS HAPPENED EIGHT TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10303220
“The gas pedal has come disconnected or stuck continuing to accelerate and I miraculously stopped the car with the emergency brake before it nearly Crashed into a crowded bus stop!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11480684

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical stalling and turn signal failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

11 NHTSA complaints · 2005-03 → 2017-09

“I PURCHASE A 2005 DODGE NEON IN JUNE. APPROXIATELY 3 WERKS LATER I NOTICE HOW WHEN I WOULD HAVE TO STOP WHEN TIME TO MOVE FORWARD CAR WOULD STALL AND BARELY WANT TO GO THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD PICK UP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11022536
“A TOTAL LOSS OF ELECTRONIC NO POWER THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS WOULD NOT WORK THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED AND ALL SYSTEMS STOPPED WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10640969
“I HAVE A 2004 DODGE NEON, MY TURNING SIGNALS SOMETIMES WORK AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. I HAVE TO BANG THE STEERING WHEEL FOR THEM TO WORK PROPERLY. ALSO MY HORN STOPPED WORKING ALL OF SUDDEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10820338

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake system pressure loss

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

6 NHTSA complaints · 2004-12 → 2015-10

“COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. AFTER NEON SAT FOR APPROX 36 HOURS PARKED IT WAS DRIVEN AT HWY SPEEDS FOR APPROX 12 MILES AND BRAKE PEDAL WOULD TRAVEL WITHOUT EFFORT TO FLOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10150022
“BRAKES FAILED ON 2 OCCASIONS THIS YEAR. NO PEDAL WHATSOEVER THEY WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10191869
“NEW BRAKES INSTALLED FROM DEALER PRIOR TO PURCHASE OF THIS USED CAR IN MAY OF 2008. IN SEPT 2008, (ABOUT 5K MILES LATER) UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE AT 45 MPH - HIT GUARDRAIL CAUSING NECK INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10336614

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Camshaft position sensor stall

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

13 NHTSA complaints · 2006-01 → 2018-04

“PURCHASED MY NEON BRAND NEW IN SEPT. 2005 IN THE SUMMER OF 2009 I STARTED EXPERIENCING THE CAR MISFIRING AND PUTTING ALONG WITH CODES P0335 CRANKSHAFT SENSOR & P0340 CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND BOTH WERE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10321868
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10381445
“AT 112,000 MILES VEHICLE STARTED LOOSING RPMS AT ALL SPEEDS AND CONDITIONS, USUALLY AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR 30 MILES OR MORE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10348900

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

448 crashes 1990–2024

How the 448 occupant deaths break down

293

driver deaths

155

passenger deaths

448

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2004 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

23

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2005 Dodge Neon reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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