DODGE NEON · model year

2005 DODGE NEON

133 NHTSA complaints, 34 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005DODGENEON carries 133 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 34 crashes, 2 fires, 25 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 NEON is vehicle speed control with 13 filings, followed by electrical system (11) and structure:body (9). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 2005 NEON, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

133
Complaints
34
Crashes
2
Fires
25
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

133 filings

Crashes Reported

34 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
STRUCTURE:BODY9
AIR BAGS8
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL6
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
ENGINE5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC4
STRUCTURE3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2

Recalls (4)

06E04900024/05/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

06E02600023/03/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 D

08E03300014/04/2008

SUSPENSION

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

09E01200007/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

Recent Complaints

20220829UNKNOWN OR OTHER

No warning or engine light appeared; the gas pedal did not function as intended and accelerated while trying to parallel park when I put the shift knob in reverse the car immediately accelerated on its own to full force and I nearly Crashed into a bus stop filled with people losing control of the car I immediately managed to stop the car by pressing on the brake pedal which the car still had slight force but then I put the car in park and only at that time did it completely stop. The gas pedal and shift linkage and accelerator linkage have some dangerous unprovoked issues. This car has always had a high idle problem as warned to me by the first owners, as soon as you put the car into drive it would immediately go. I have researched recalls for years on this and have also discovered many reports of people losing control in this manner coincidentally going unaddressed. Until this occurred, I became very very apprehensive to even drive this car as I could have been held responsible for

20220829VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

No warning or engine light appeared; the gas pedal did not function as intended and accelerated while trying to parallel park when I put the shift knob in reverse the car immediately accelerated on its own to full force and I nearly Crashed into a bus stop filled with people losing control of the car I immediately managed to stop the car by pressing on the brake pedal which the car still had slight force but then I put the car in park and only at that time did it completely stop. The gas pedal and shift linkage and accelerator linkage have some dangerous unprovoked issues. This car has always had a high idle problem as warned to me by the first owners, as soon as you put the car into drive it would immediately go. I have researched recalls for years on this and have also discovered many reports of people losing control in this manner coincidentally going unaddressed. Until this occurred, I became very very apprehensive to even drive this car as I could have been held responsible for

20220823VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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! The car only has 65k miles but regardless a car should never put anyone in this danger! It is giving me a nervous breakdown almost running people over!

20220823EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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! The car only has 65k miles but regardless a car should never put anyone in this danger! It is giving me a nervous breakdown almost running people over!

20220823ENGINE

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! The car only has 65k miles but regardless a car should never put anyone in this danger! It is giving me a nervous breakdown almost running people over!

20200620EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE AC UNIT LEAKS INTO THE ENVIRONMENT NEEDING TO BE FILLED YEARLY. WE PAID A DEALER TO REPAIR THE AC AND IT ALL LEAKED OUT AGAIN. THEY REFILLED ONCE AGAIN AND SAID TO BRING IT BACK EVERY YEAR TO HAVE IT REFILLED AGAIN. SO FAR IT HAS ALL LEAKED OUT 3 TIMES NOW. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

20200620UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE AC UNIT LEAKS INTO THE ENVIRONMENT NEEDING TO BE FILLED YEARLY. WE PAID A DEALER TO REPAIR THE AC AND IT ALL LEAKED OUT AGAIN. THEY REFILLED ONCE AGAIN AND SAID TO BRING IT BACK EVERY YEAR TO HAVE IT REFILLED AGAIN. SO FAR IT HAS ALL LEAKED OUT 3 TIMES NOW. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

20190821STRUCTURE:BODY

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. THE MOISTURE TRAVELED THROUGHOUT THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE FLOOR TO DECAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DECAY CAUSED A HOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Mileage: 55,000

20190701STRUCTURE:BODY

PERSON SOLD AN INOPERABLE VEHICLE. USING VERBAL MANIPULATIONS HE CLAIMED IN THE ADD AND LATER FACE TO FACE THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A CLEAN TITLE (CARFAX REPORT SHOWS IT AS SALVAGE WITH MULTIPLE REPORTED ACCIDENTS AND 8 SERVICE HISTORY RECORDS), CERTAIN MILEAGE (148000 CLAIMED, 223.300 IN REALITY), HE WAS THE 2ND OWNER (3 OWNERS IN REALITY) AND NO MAJOR ISSUES - WAS TOLD IN PERSON DURING THE SALE OPERATION, ALSO TOLD HE WAS SELLING THE CAR FOR HIS FRIEND THATS WHY THERE WAS A DIFFERENT PERSON NAME ON A TITLE ((XXXXX)). SELLER WAS CONVENCING AND DID A GREAT JOB AT CONFUSING IGOR AND DECIEVING HIM. THE SELLER LIED ABOUT THE SMOG CHECK ALSO AND TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE BUYER - THE CAR DIDNT PASS THE SMOG CHECK THE NEXT MORNING 6/27, AND LATER THE SAME DAY DIDNT START ANYMORE FOR GOOD. SELLER SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO IGOR THAT SAME MORNING SAYING THAT CAR IS OVERHEATING AND WATER HAS TO BE PLACED IN THE RADIATOR DAILY, BUT IT'S A VERY DANGEROUS PROCEDURE AS THE WATER INSIDE THE TANK IS OF A BOILING

Mileage: 223,400

20190701ENGINE

PERSON SOLD AN INOPERABLE VEHICLE. USING VERBAL MANIPULATIONS HE CLAIMED IN THE ADD AND LATER FACE TO FACE THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A CLEAN TITLE (CARFAX REPORT SHOWS IT AS SALVAGE WITH MULTIPLE REPORTED ACCIDENTS AND 8 SERVICE HISTORY RECORDS), CERTAIN MILEAGE (148000 CLAIMED, 223.300 IN REALITY), HE WAS THE 2ND OWNER (3 OWNERS IN REALITY) AND NO MAJOR ISSUES - WAS TOLD IN PERSON DURING THE SALE OPERATION, ALSO TOLD HE WAS SELLING THE CAR FOR HIS FRIEND THATS WHY THERE WAS A DIFFERENT PERSON NAME ON A TITLE ((XXXXX)). SELLER WAS CONVENCING AND DID A GREAT JOB AT CONFUSING IGOR AND DECIEVING HIM. THE SELLER LIED ABOUT THE SMOG CHECK ALSO AND TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE BUYER - THE CAR DIDNT PASS THE SMOG CHECK THE NEXT MORNING 6/27, AND LATER THE SAME DAY DIDNT START ANYMORE FOR GOOD. SELLER SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO IGOR THAT SAME MORNING SAYING THAT CAR IS OVERHEATING AND WATER HAS TO BE PLACED IN THE RADIATOR DAILY, BUT IT'S A VERY DANGEROUS PROCEDURE AS THE WATER INSIDE THE TANK IS OF A BOILING

Mileage: 223,400

20190701UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PERSON SOLD AN INOPERABLE VEHICLE. USING VERBAL MANIPULATIONS HE CLAIMED IN THE ADD AND LATER FACE TO FACE THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A CLEAN TITLE (CARFAX REPORT SHOWS IT AS SALVAGE WITH MULTIPLE REPORTED ACCIDENTS AND 8 SERVICE HISTORY RECORDS), CERTAIN MILEAGE (148000 CLAIMED, 223.300 IN REALITY), HE WAS THE 2ND OWNER (3 OWNERS IN REALITY) AND NO MAJOR ISSUES - WAS TOLD IN PERSON DURING THE SALE OPERATION, ALSO TOLD HE WAS SELLING THE CAR FOR HIS FRIEND THATS WHY THERE WAS A DIFFERENT PERSON NAME ON A TITLE ((XXXXX)). SELLER WAS CONVENCING AND DID A GREAT JOB AT CONFUSING IGOR AND DECIEVING HIM. THE SELLER LIED ABOUT THE SMOG CHECK ALSO AND TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE BUYER - THE CAR DIDNT PASS THE SMOG CHECK THE NEXT MORNING 6/27, AND LATER THE SAME DAY DIDNT START ANYMORE FOR GOOD. SELLER SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO IGOR THAT SAME MORNING SAYING THAT CAR IS OVERHEATING AND WATER HAS TO BE PLACED IN THE RADIATOR DAILY, BUT IT'S A VERY DANGEROUS PROCEDURE AS THE WATER INSIDE THE TANK IS OF A BOILING

Mileage: 223,400

20180405ENGINE

BLOWN HEAD GASKET AT 60,000 MILES

Mileage: 60,000

20170910ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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. IT DID THAT FOR 2 DAYS. THE 3RD DAY I DROVE AWAY IN IT WITH NO PROMBLEMS. WHEN TIME FOR ME TO LEAVE IT WOULD NOT START. I REPLACE STARTER,BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND ALSO MADE SURE ALL THESE PARTS WHERE GOOD. MY CAR STILL WILL NOT START. PLEASE HELP ME OUT JUST SPENT $2,000.00 AND MY CAR STILL WILL NOT START. CAR WAS PARKED WHEN IT OCCURED.

20170910UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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. IT DID THAT FOR 2 DAYS. THE 3RD DAY I DROVE AWAY IN IT WITH NO PROMBLEMS. WHEN TIME FOR ME TO LEAVE IT WOULD NOT START. I REPLACE STARTER,BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND ALSO MADE SURE ALL THESE PARTS WHERE GOOD. MY CAR STILL WILL NOT START. PLEASE HELP ME OUT JUST SPENT $2,000.00 AND MY CAR STILL WILL NOT START. CAR WAS PARKED WHEN IT OCCURED.

20160526CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 DODGE NEON. WHILE PROCEEDING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER IN THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED CHEST AND FACE INJURIES DUE TO THE AIR BAGS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,373. UPDATED 06/29/16*LJ

Mileage: 183,373

20160520ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I WAS DRIVING TO DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES WITH MY FRIENDS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE IS SMOKE COMING OUT OF MY DASHBOARD RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY STEERING WHEEL SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I THEN LATER NOTICE MY BRAKE,FOG,HIGH BEAMS, AND TURN SIGNALS LIGHT DO NOT WORK. I WENT ON A FORUM TO SEE IF IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM AND I SAW CARS THAT WERE BURNED AND I SAW THAT IT WAS A CONNECTION THAT WAS FAULTY. I REMOVE MY TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AND I FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS BURNED TOO THE EXACT SAME PLACE. WE WERE LUCKY THAT THE CAR DIDN'T CATCH FIRE. I WENT TO A JUNK YARD TO SEE IF I COULD GET ONE AND ALL THE DODGE NEONS THAT I GOT TO THEY WERE ALL SHOTS AND BURNED. I WANT TO GET A RECALL FOR THIS THAT CANNOT BE POSSIBLE THAT ALL THE CARS EVEN MY FRIENDS CAR HAS THAT TOO AND IT'S A DODGE NEON. CAN SOMETHING PLEASE BE DONE ABOUT THIS

Mileage: 150,300

20160520ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING TO DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES WITH MY FRIENDS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE IS SMOKE COMING OUT OF MY DASHBOARD RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY STEERING WHEEL SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I THEN LATER NOTICE MY BRAKE,FOG,HIGH BEAMS, AND TURN SIGNALS LIGHT DO NOT WORK. I WENT ON A FORUM TO SEE IF IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM AND I SAW CARS THAT WERE BURNED AND I SAW THAT IT WAS A CONNECTION THAT WAS FAULTY. I REMOVE MY TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AND I FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS BURNED TOO THE EXACT SAME PLACE. WE WERE LUCKY THAT THE CAR DIDN'T CATCH FIRE. I WENT TO A JUNK YARD TO SEE IF I COULD GET ONE AND ALL THE DODGE NEONS THAT I GOT TO THEY WERE ALL SHOTS AND BURNED. I WANT TO GET A RECALL FOR THIS THAT CANNOT BE POSSIBLE THAT ALL THE CARS EVEN MY FRIENDS CAR HAS THAT TOO AND IT'S A DODGE NEON. CAN SOMETHING PLEASE BE DONE ABOUT THIS

Mileage: 150,300

20160520STEERING

I WAS DRIVING TO DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES WITH MY FRIENDS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE IS SMOKE COMING OUT OF MY DASHBOARD RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY STEERING WHEEL SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I THEN LATER NOTICE MY BRAKE,FOG,HIGH BEAMS, AND TURN SIGNALS LIGHT DO NOT WORK. I WENT ON A FORUM TO SEE IF IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM AND I SAW CARS THAT WERE BURNED AND I SAW THAT IT WAS A CONNECTION THAT WAS FAULTY. I REMOVE MY TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AND I FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS BURNED TOO THE EXACT SAME PLACE. WE WERE LUCKY THAT THE CAR DIDN'T CATCH FIRE. I WENT TO A JUNK YARD TO SEE IF I COULD GET ONE AND ALL THE DODGE NEONS THAT I GOT TO THEY WERE ALL SHOTS AND BURNED. I WANT TO GET A RECALL FOR THIS THAT CANNOT BE POSSIBLE THAT ALL THE CARS EVEN MY FRIENDS CAR HAS THAT TOO AND IT'S A DODGE NEON. CAN SOMETHING PLEASE BE DONE ABOUT THIS

Mileage: 150,300

20160509CrashSERVICE BRAKES

I SHIFTED MY CAR INTO REVERSE AND IT ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND COULD NOT STOP CRASHED THRU MY NEIGHBORS GARAGE DOOR. THERE S NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND COULD NOT STOP WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES EVEN IN NEUTRAL. I CHECKED AND THERE WAS NOTHING UNDER OR BLOCKING THE GAS PEDAL. NO MATS IN CAR.

Mileage: 132,000

20160509CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I SHIFTED MY CAR INTO REVERSE AND IT ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND COULD NOT STOP CRASHED THRU MY NEIGHBORS GARAGE DOOR. THERE S NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND COULD NOT STOP WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES EVEN IN NEUTRAL. I CHECKED AND THERE WAS NOTHING UNDER OR BLOCKING THE GAS PEDAL. NO MATS IN CAR.

Mileage: 132,000

Compare 2005DODGENEON to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 DODGE NEON have?
The 2005 DODGE NEON has 133 NHTSA complaints, 34 crashes, 2 fires, 25 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 DODGE NEON?
Yes, the 2005 DODGE NEON has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 DODGE NEON?
The most-complained component for the 2005 DODGE NEON is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and STRUCTURE:BODY.
Is the 2005 DODGE NEON safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.