RoadVitals

2004 Dodge Neon

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
94
Latest Dec 10, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Apr 7, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
22
18 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 94 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Dodge Neon, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and airbags categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 36 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
08E050000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Aug 11, 2008
1,921 units potentially affected
The 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."
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
K2 MOTOR CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
08E033000

SUSPENSION

Apr 14, 2008
6,903 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTSView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 94
Exterior lightingSuspensionVisibility
Filed Dec 10, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11157260
Incident
Nov 27, 2018
Mileage
169,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 31, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11114807
Incident
Jul 31, 2018
Mileage
160,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 3, 2018
Crash reported

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

NHTSA ID
11099364
Incident
Jun 1, 2018
Mileage
121,110 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 9, 2017

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 WAS 139,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11044792
Incident
Oct 20, 2016
Mileage
139,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 24, 2016
Fire reported

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 ID
10898311
Incident
Jul 15, 2009
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 13, 2016
Fire reported

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 ID
10884541
Incident
Jun 7, 2016
Mileage
185,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 21, 2016
Crash reported

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.

NHTSA ID
10870169
Incident
Feb 12, 2016
Mileage
150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 26, 2015

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 ID
10679012
Incident
Nov 1, 2012
Mileage
65,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

S2208000136

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module (WCM)

S2208000136

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module (WCM)

9004275

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

9004275

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

23-015-20

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19

08-049-20

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Neon by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005954057.1
2004Viewing945056.4
20032025364.4
20021736363.2
200114610163.3
200033711265.6
19991164161.6
19983396161.5
19973906161.3
19966117260.2
199597611968.0
1994901—
1993301—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.