Model year record

2004 Dodge Neon recalls & problems

The 2004 Dodge Neon has 5 safety recalls and 94 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (23 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints94filed by owners

Crashes · fires19 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths18 · 0reported in complaints

2004 Dodge Neon in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingAug 11, 2008

Headlights

Recall 08E0500001,921 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

SuspensionApr 14, 2008

Suspension

Recall 08E0330006,903 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E04900027,176 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

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

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

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

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2004 Dodge Neon 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2004 Dodge Neon NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	23	2	0	0	51,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	20	0	0	0	66,840 mi
Electrical systemWiring; Ignition	17	0	3	0	35,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	14	14	0	17	38,504 mi
Exterior lightingFog lights; Headlights › Switch	8	0	1	0	91,000 mi
SuspensionRear; Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint	8	0	0	0	45,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	7	1	0	1	35,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	7	1	1	1	121,555 mi
StructureBody; Frame and members › Underbody shields	6	0	0	0	52,500 mi
Engine	6	1	1	0	150,000 mi
Seat beltsFront; Rear/other	5	4	0	6	58,472 mi
SteeringRack and pinion › Rack	4	0	0	0	45,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Suspension
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, MY REAR PASSENGER END WAS LEANING A LITTLE TO THE SIDE. I WAS A SMOOTH PAVED ROAD AND IT FELT AS THOUGH I WAS HITTING POTHOLES. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THOUGHT MY TIRE WAS FLAT. I T0OK THE CAR TO A SHOP TO GET CHECKED OUT. THEY STATED THAT MY REAR SHOT BLEW. ON 11/20/18 MY DEFROSTERS ARE NO LONGER WORKING. MY HEADLIGHTS ARE DIM. I TRIED REPLACING THE BULB. HOWEVER, IT STILL ISN'T BRIGHT ENOUGH TO DRIVE IN THE DARK.
Nov 27, 2018 · 169,000 miles
Vehicle speed control
ON OCCASION THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ENGAGE AND ON OCCASION IT DOES ENGAGE AND WHEN YOU TRY TO SLOW DOWN THE BRAKE BECOMES HARD TO DEPRESS AND THE CAR STARTS TO ACCELERATE BUT REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO DEPRESS BRAKE OR PUMP BRAKES ALLOWS CONTROL AGAIN OVER SPEED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING OVER 45 MPH . AS THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN FOUND AND THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN CRUISE CONTROL HAS BEEN ENGAGED . PROBLEM NOTICED IN 2014 WHEN I GOT CAR TO PRESENT DATE .. NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.
Jul 31, 2018 · 160,000 miles
Vehicle speed controlCrash
CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND I WRECKED MY CAR INTO INTO A OTHER CAR. I EVEN TRIED PUTTING MY CAR IN PARK AND IT WOULDN'T STOP THE MOTOR WAS REVED UP AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP
Jun 1, 2018 · 121,110 miles
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED AND INADVERTENTLY SHIFTED TO A LOWER GEAR. ALSO, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME BUT, PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, WAS HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES FOR OVER A YEAR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A PLASTIC PIECE THAT SEPARATED THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID FRACTURED AND ALLOWED COOLANT TO ENTER THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS; HOWEVER, THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…
Oct 20, 2016 · 139,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
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 YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Jul 15, 2009
Service brakesFire
RUNNING LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING (ON A CITY STREET), WHEN REPAIRED, WAS DUE TO A WIRE IN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH BURNING OUT AND MELTING THE CASING OF THE MFS
Jun 7, 2016 · 185,000 miles
EngineCrash
VEHICLE RESPOND TO A LIGHT ACCELERATION REQUEST WITH SUSTAIN FULL THROTTLE OPERATION. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED IN POOR ROAD CONDITIONS WITH FULL THROTTLE OPERATION. THE ONLY INFLUENCE IN COURSE CHANGE WAS TERRAIN AND TORQUE STEERING. AFTER COLLISION WITH A STONE PILLAR CODE P0123 THROTTLE HIGH VOLTAGE WAS FOUND.
Feb 12, 2016 · 150,000 miles
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY WOULD RELEASE OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 7/16/15*CN
Nov 1, 2012 · 65,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.