The Lemon Index
200320052nd generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: electrical
Better years to buy
43 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–28 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Honda Civic 352004 Toyota Corolla 392004 Hyundai Elantra 120
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2004 Dodge Neon
- Engine stalling11 complaintsmostly at 15,000–134,000 miles (24,000–216,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 94 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Dodge Neon (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 35,000 miles (8,100–56,000 km) (the middle half of the 27 complaints, of all 43 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E012000 (lights), 08E050000 (lights) and 08E033000 (suspension) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Dodge sent dealers 36 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Dodge's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 43 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 35K miles (8K to 56K km) on the car (27 of all 43 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
While driving 45 mph the consumers son crashed into a telephone pole. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained a broken nose due to hitting his face on the steering wheel.
2004 Dodge Neon owner · NHTSA complaint 10107205
More owner reports
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.
NHTSA complaint 10063565
My car, a 1998 plymouth Neon, was recently in an accident....the car was totaled with major front end damage.. However neither of the two air bags deployed despite the impact. I would like this investigated.
NHTSA complaint 10095685
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 6.9M views · 2000–2005 Dodge Neon
Most-watched topics
- Fuel pump, filter & tank296K views
How to Replace the Fuel Filter / Pressure Regulator on a 2003 Dodge Neon (2000 - 2005)HVAC Mechanic · 142K views · 3 videos - Transmission & shifter255K views
How to check and add transmission fluid on a 2003 Dodge Neon (2000 - 2005)HVAC Mechanic · 85K views · 10 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door170K views
2002 Dodge Neon Evaporator & Heater Core ReplacementAJ1Overdrive · 71K views · 6 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors137K views
2002 Dodge Neon Poor IDLE Faulty PCV Valve Oil in Intake How to FixAlexey Gavrilov · 109K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- Cooling system113K views
2004 Dodge Neon thermostat replace84crx · 62K views · 3 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition81K views
2003 Dodge Neon 2.0 Wont Start or CrankAl Young Cuda · 62K views · 3 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils71K views
how to change spark plugs for a 2005 dodge neonwingdan84 · 52K views · 3 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical67K views
Dodge Neon SRT4 Starter Removal & Install (2003-2005)AutoFun · 17K views · 7 videos
Before you buy, watch
Dodge Neon 2.0, 2005 problems with dashboardRadek David · 2K views
Regular Car Reviews: 2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4Regular Car Reviews · 1.1M views
2002 Dodge Neon - ReviewMauKapranos · 116K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2004 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 36 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is…
- Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil…
- Irregular engine snapping sound
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Lights · recall issued 2009
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.
- Lights · recall issued 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES.
- Suspension · recall issued 2008
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.
Show all 5 recalls
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,150–$3,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Dodge Neon year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 5 older years (1995–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 11 Dodge Neon years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-neon/?y=2004" title="Dodge Neon reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/dodge-neon/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Dodge Neon reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Dodge Neon reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 45; 100 is average, lower is better). The Dodge Neon year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2005.
What are the most common 2004 Dodge Neon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (23%), airbags (23%) and engine (21%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Dodge Neon have?
5 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Dodge Neon get?
22 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Dodge Neon problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 35,000 miles (8,100–56,000 km) (the middle half of the 27 complaints, of all 43 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2004 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2004 Dodge Neon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Dodge Neon cost in fuel a year?
About $2,150 to $3,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Dodge Neon have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Dodge Neon year is better than the 2004?
Nearby, the 2005 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works