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2004 Dodge Neon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Dodge Neon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 173.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

73 reports with mileage · 21 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports3 fire reports12 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

15 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineFire

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10898311

185,000 miles · Jul 13, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService 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

NHTSA ODI #10884541

65,000 miles · Jan 26, 2015
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.…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10679012

80,000 miles · Dec 12, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

JUST HAD THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REPLACED DUE TO A FRIED POWER TRANSISTOR ON THE I/C BOARD. REPAIR LASTED ABOUT 1 HOUR AND THEN REPLACEMENT INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED ALSO. APPEARS TO BE A SHORT IN THE DASH LIGHT CIRCUIT. THIS CAUSES FUSE # 15 TO BLOW WHICH REMOVES POWER FROM THE PARKING LIGHTS, AND THE TAIL LIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10488065

25,000 miles · Aug 27, 2012
Electrical SystemStructure

ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED MY DODGE NEON SXT THE SEAL AT THE BOTTOM OF ALL THE WINDOWS BEGAN TO DRY UP, CRACK, AND FALL OFF. AT THIS POINT I BARELY HAVE ANY SEAL IN BETWEEN ALL 4 OF MY CAR WINDOWS AND THE CAR DOOR. WATER HAS GONE DOWN INTO MY DOOR AND I'M AFRAID THAT IT WILL SOON AFFECT THE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN THE D…

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ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED MY DODGE NEON SXT THE SEAL AT THE BOTTOM OF ALL THE WINDOWS BEGAN TO DRY UP, CRACK, AND FALL OFF. AT THIS POINT I BARELY HAVE ANY SEAL IN BETWEEN ALL 4 OF MY CAR WINDOWS AND THE CAR DOOR. WATER HAS GONE DOWN INTO MY DOOR AND I'M AFRAID THAT IT WILL SOON AFFECT THE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN THE DOOR. MY MAIN CONCERNS ARE THE CONTROLS FOR ADJUSTING MY MIRRORS, MY WINDOW CONTROLS, AND MY DOOR LOCK. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CAR'S SEAL BASICALLY DRY ROT AND FALL OFF OF A CAR STARTING SO EARLY. I WOULD EXPECT IT TO START HAPPENING NOW THAT I'VE HAD THE CAR 8-9 YEARS, BUT NOT TO THIS EXTENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472679

93,000 miles · Mar 12, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE FOG LIGHTS SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO EMIT SMOKE AND BECAME UNUSUALLY HOT IN TEMPERATURE. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME; HOWEVER, A BURNING SMELL FILLED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE D…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE FOG LIGHTS SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO EMIT SMOKE AND BECAME UNUSUALLY HOT IN TEMPERATURE. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME; HOWEVER, A BURNING SMELL FILLED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT EITHER THE WIRING HARNESS OR THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH HAD FAILED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 4/26/10 *CN UPDATED 05/06/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10319237

15,000 miles · Jul 5, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT HAS REPLACED THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY FOUR TIMES SINCE JUNE OF 2005. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT WAS IN JUNE OF 2005. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. IN OCTOBER OF 2005, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE TWIC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT HAS REPLACED THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY FOUR TIMES SINCE JUNE OF 2005. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT WAS IN JUNE OF 2005. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. IN OCTOBER OF 2005, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE TWICE. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. ON JULY 3, 2007, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND # OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 53,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ODI #10195428

35,000 miles · Feb 8, 2007
Electrical SystemEquipmentPower Train

UPON PURCHASING MY CAR, BRAND NEW IN 2004, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH IT. AFTER A SHORT YEAR OF HAVING MY CAR MY POWER WINDOWS WENT OUT, SHORTLY AFTER MY FRONT DOOR SPEAKERS STOPPED WORKING AND MY RADIO/CD PLAYER OFTEN DOESN'T WORK CORRECTLY...CD DISCS WILL GET STUCK IN PLAYER AND CONTINUALLY PLAY UNTIL CAR IS SHUT OFF AN…

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UPON PURCHASING MY CAR, BRAND NEW IN 2004, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH IT. AFTER A SHORT YEAR OF HAVING MY CAR MY POWER WINDOWS WENT OUT, SHORTLY AFTER MY FRONT DOOR SPEAKERS STOPPED WORKING AND MY RADIO/CD PLAYER OFTEN DOESN'T WORK CORRECTLY...CD DISCS WILL GET STUCK IN PLAYER AND CONTINUALLY PLAY UNTIL CAR IS SHUT OFF AND SOMETIMES THAT DOESN'T EVEN RESOLVE PROBLEM. FRONT BRAKES STARTED TO SQUEAK AND GROAN CONSTANTLY, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES TO HAVE THEM TRY TO FIX BRAKES. WHILE HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR STARTED TO CHUG AND JERK FREQUENTLY. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP, DIAGNOSTIC SHOWED #4 CYLINDER MISFIRE, HAD PLUGS AND WIRES REPLACED, HOWEVER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AFTER DRIVING CAR <10 MILES. TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES TO FIX, ON THE FOURTH OCCASION THEY FINALLY FOUND A BROKEN RING LEADING TO THE MOTOR, PROBLEM IS STILL UNRESOLVED. I THEN CALLED WARRANTY PEOPLE TO DISCOVER THAT MY RING IS COVERED UNDER MY POWER-TRAIN WARRANTY AFTER HAVING BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THE RING COULDN'T BE FIXED. WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE WIRING WAS FAULTY IN THE RADIO PLAYER AND NOT THE SPEAKERS.

NHTSA ODI #10182021

20,000 miles · May 31, 2006
Electrical System

FIRST TIME CAR SHUT DOWN WAS ON THE FREEWAY AT THE TIME HAD NO CLUE WHAT WAS GOING ON HAD POWER TO EVERY ACCESSORY BUT ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING. NEARLY MISSED BEING HIT BY A TRUCK AS I MERGE OVER TO EMERGENCY LANE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOUND THAT IT WAS MY FUEL PUMP ASD FUSE KEPT BLOWING THEY VOIDED MY WARRANTY STATING AN AIR INT…

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FIRST TIME CAR SHUT DOWN WAS ON THE FREEWAY AT THE TIME HAD NO CLUE WHAT WAS GOING ON HAD POWER TO EVERY ACCESSORY BUT ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING. NEARLY MISSED BEING HIT BY A TRUCK AS I MERGE OVER TO EMERGENCY LANE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOUND THAT IT WAS MY FUEL PUMP ASD FUSE KEPT BLOWING THEY VOIDED MY WARRANTY STATING AN AIR INTAKE WAS THE PROBLEM. THE INTAKE PURCHASED IS C.A.R.B LEGAL AND DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH MY ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT REPLACED ANYTHING AS OF NOW. I DO FEAR THAT I WILL BE INVOLVED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF IT KEEPS SHUTTING DOWN ON THE FREEWAY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10158673

33,379 miles · Feb 6, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAPPENS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND UNDER NORMAL DRIVING AND ROAD CONDITIONS. HOWEVER, IT HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHIFTED FROM THIRD, FOURTH OR FIFTH GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES, THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAPPENS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND UNDER NORMAL DRIVING AND ROAD CONDITIONS. HOWEVER, IT HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHIFTED FROM THIRD, FOURTH OR FIFTH GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES, THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE STARTER HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED, THE O2 SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND BOLTS WERE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH, THESE REPLACEMENTS WERE REPLACED THE PROBLEM STILL EXITS.

NHTSA ODI #10149554

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.