YearToAvoid

2005 Dodge Neon Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

No verdict The 2005 Dodge Neon has 95 NHTSA complaints, with Engine issues the top problem area at 32% of complaints. There is only one model year of data available, so no cross-year ranking exists for this Neon.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
—/100
Verdict
No verdict
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
95
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
0
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
23
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
20
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
—
no alternative with data

Top 2005 Dodge Neon problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine30 (32%)
  2. Structure & Body15 (16%)
  3. Airbags14 (15%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain14 (15%)
  5. Electrical System13 (14%)
  6. Brakes11 (12%)
  7. Other8 (8%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (8%)
  9. Fuel System5 (5%)
  10. Seat Belts3 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Brakes reportedly fail suddenly, with the pedal going to the floor and no stopping power, sometimes leading to collisions.
  • Airbags failed to deploy in multiple frontal and rear-end crashes despite significant vehicle damage.
  • Owners report a CV joint failure at highway speed that caused loss of control and a crash into a bridge.
  • Some drivers describe the transmission slipping when shifting from first to second gear, worse in warm weather.
  • One owner reported smoke coming from the engine compartment while the vehicle was parked, with a small fire.
  • A driver noted unexpected acceleration combined with brake failure on a freeway entry ramp.
2005 Dodge Neon complaints: complaints filed per quarter62004 Q42006 Q42008 Q42010 Q22012 Q12014 Q32017 Q3
95 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2004 Q4 to 2022 Q3; peak 2006 Q1 (6).

2005 Dodge Neon recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2005 compared with other Neon years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002005
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005No verdict—950—

All Dodge Neon years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Dodge Neon reliable?
NHTSA lists 95 complaints for the 2005 Dodge Neon, with Engine problems making up 32% of them. There is no complaint index or verdict calculated for this year, and no other Neon model years are available for comparison.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Dodge Neon?
The top problem area is Engine, accounting for 32% of complaints, followed by Structure & Body at 16%, Airbags at 15%, and Transmission & Powertrain at 15%.
Does the 2005 Dodge Neon have any recalls?
NHTSA shows zero recalls for the 2005 Dodge Neon, including zero do-not-drive recalls.
Did the 2005 Dodge Neon have airbag problems?
Owners reported 14 airbag-related complaints, tied to 14 crashes, including cases where airbags did not deploy during collisions.
At what mileage do Neon problems typically show up?
Median mileage at failure varies by system: Transmission & Powertrain issues showed up around 17,000 miles, Brakes around 27,050 miles, and Engine issues around 60,000 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.