RoadVitals

2004 Dodge Neon Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
16
Latest Aug 24, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
17%
of 94 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Dodge Neon submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
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
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Dec 12, 2012

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 ID
10488065
Incident
Nov 23, 2012
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Aug 27, 2012

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 ID
10472679
Incident
May 2, 2006
Mileage
25,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Mar 12, 2010

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 ID
10319237
Incident
Nov 16, 2009
Mileage
93,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 5, 2007

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 ID
10195428
Incident
Jun 1, 2005
Mileage
15,000 mi
BrakesElectricalInterior & seats+2 more
Filed Feb 8, 2007

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 ID
10182021
Incident
Jul 1, 2005
Mileage
35,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 31, 2006

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 ID
10158673
Incident
Jul 3, 2005
Mileage
20,000 mi
ElectricalEngineTransmission
Filed Feb 6, 2006

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 ID
10149554
Incident
Jan 28, 2005
Mileage
33,379 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 4, 2005

VEHICLE..2004 DODGE NEON ...SHUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP 3-4 TIMES . TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM THEREFORE THEY CAN NOT REPAIR. REPAIRS HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTED TO IGNITION SECURITY SYSTEM WITH NO SUCCESS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10131629
Incident
Aug 3, 2005
Electrical
Filed Apr 20, 2005

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AT 65 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK

NHTSA ID
10118965
Incident
Mar 1, 2005
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Dec 21, 2004

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DOME LIGHT AND THE POWER DOOR LOCKS LOCKED OFF AND ON INADVERTENTLY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 3 OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A FULL REFUND OF THE DOWN PAYMENT AND SALES TAX. *SC THE RADIO WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10101365
Incident
Oct 26, 2004
Mileage
12,500 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 30, 2004

WHILE SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10094792
Incident
Sep 30, 2004
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Apr 20, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH A LOUD TICKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, HOWEVER THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE HEADLIGHTS HAD GONE OUT WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LINE IN THE FRONT, THE WHEEL BEARING WAS BROKEN IN HALF, THE FOG LIGHTS HAD GONE OUT, THERE WAS A ROARING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THERE WAS A WHIRLING SOUND IN THE ENGINE WHICH WOULD GET WORSE WHEN ACCELERATED, THE ROTOR/PADS RUSTED, THE STEERING PULLED TO THE LEFT, AND WHEN SLOWING DOWN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE. (DODGE NEON SXT 2004) *SC

NHTSA ID
10063565
Incident
Mar 19, 2004
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Mar 11, 2004
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO EXIT A FREEWAY AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT FROM THE HOOD. CONSUMER TURNED THE KEY OFF, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLES. AT THAT TIME THE SMOKING CEASED AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. *AK THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN ROUGH AND LURCH FORWARD, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON, , THE VEHICLE WOULD RUN WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, AND WHEN THE DOOR WAS INADVERTENTLY SHUT, THE DOOR WOULD LOCK. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL WAS DELIVERED AT A RICH COMBUSTION LEVEL. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE AB/MASTER RELAY AND THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. (FUEL WAS BEING DELIVERED TO THE CYLINDER AT EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS AND WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION) *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10065398
Incident
Mar 18, 2004
Mileage
2,800 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .