The Lemon Index
20042nd generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
Fewest complaints of its generation (2nd generation).
36 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–28 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Honda Civic 402005 Toyota Corolla 382005 Hyundai Elantra 62
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2005 Dodge Neon
- Engine stalling8 complaintsmostly at 44,000–112,000 miles (71,000–180,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 96 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 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 7,700 and 33,000 miles (12,000–53,000 km) (the middle half of the 32 complaints, of all 36 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), 08E033000 (suspension) and 06E049000 (lights) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Dodge sent dealers 37 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Flash - rough or shudder on 1-2 upshift”?
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 36 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 7K to 33K miles (12K to 53K km) on the car (32 of all 36 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
Leaking really bad up under the passenger side dash and having problems with the brakes.
2005 Dodge Neon owner · NHTSA complaint 10154178
More owner reports
Consumer was driving approximately 30 mph and while coming to a right turn lost control of brakes and steering. Vehicle hit and went up on the curb. The front passenger's side wheel was damaged.
NHTSA complaint 10103797
Brakes failed on 2 occasions this year. No pedal whatsoever they went all the way to the floor.
NHTSA complaint 10191869
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 2005 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 37 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Flash - rough or shudder on 1-2 upshift
- Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Show all 4 recalls
- 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. 2005 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.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-neon/?y=2005" 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/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Dodge Neon reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Dodge Neon reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew a bit under half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 40; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2005 Dodge Neon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (33%), brakes (17%) and airbags (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Dodge Neon have?
4 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 2005 Dodge Neon get?
22 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Dodge Neon problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,700 and 33,000 miles (12,000–53,000 km) (the middle half of the 32 complaints, of all 36 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 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 2005 Dodge Neon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 33% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 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 2005 Dodge Neon have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Dodge Neon year than the 2005?
Not nearby: the 2005 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Dodge Neon years within 3 model years of it.
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