2004 Dodge Neon Problems
Shopping for a used 2004 Dodge Neon? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Based on 94 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Engine Problems the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2004 Dodge Neon has 94 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
Free preview · Full report from $12.95.
2004 Dodge Neon Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2004 Dodge Neon trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.
2004 Dodge Neon Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2004 Dodge Neon has 94 owner complaints, 19 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Dodge
- Model
- Neon
- Model year
- 2004
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 94
- Crash-related complaints
- 19
- Safety recall campaigns
- 5
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 25
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 22 / 29
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- No
Common problems
Most common 2004 Dodge Neon problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Transmission / Drivetrain
Electrical Faults
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Transmission / Drivetrain, Electrical Faults. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2004 Dodge Neon?
The 2004 Dodge Neon shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2004 Dodge Neon
Inspection Focus
- Inspect engine for known issues such as stalling or overheating.
- Check transmission for slipping or hard shifting.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect engine for known issues such as stalling or overheating.
- Check transmission for slipping or hard shifting.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components.
- Have a mechanic inspect before purchase.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2004 Dodge Neon, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 94 NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Dodge Neon, issues appear concentrated in the engine, transmission, and electrical systems. There are also notable reports of airbag malfunctions and brake problems. With 19 crash-related complaints and 5 recalls, buyers may want to inspect these areas carefully.
- Engine problems account for 26 complaints, the highest count among components.
- Transmission/drivetrain issues are reported in 23 complaints.
- Electrical faults are noted in 15 complaints.
- Airbag malfunctions appear in 14 complaints.
- Brake system issues are reported in 9 complaints.
- Engine Problems
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Electrical Faults
Full breakdown
All 2004 Dodge Neon complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Dodge Neon. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 26 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 23 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 15 | — | 3 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 14 | 14 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 9 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 8 | — | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 7 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 5 | 4 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Gasoline | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Dodge Neon. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, MY REAR PASSENGER END WAS LEANING A LITTLE TO THE SIDE. I WAS A SMOOTH PAVED ROAD AND IT FELT AS THOUGH I WAS HITTING POTHOLES. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THOUGHT MY TIRE WAS FLAT. I T0OK THE CAR TO A SHOP TO GET CHECKED OUT. THEY STAT…
ON OCCASION THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ENGAGE AND ON OCCASION IT DOES ENGAGE AND WHEN YOU TRY TO SLOW DOWN THE BRAKE BECOMES HARD TO DEPRESS AND THE CAR STARTS TO ACCELERATE BUT REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO DEPRESS BRAKE OR PUMP BRAKES ALLOWS CONTROL AGAIN OVER SPEED WITHOUT INCIDENT.…
CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND I WRECKED MY CAR INTO INTO A OTHER CAR. I EVEN TRIED PUTTING MY CAR IN PARK AND IT WOULDN'T STOP THE MOTOR WAS REVED UP AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED AND INADVERTENTLY SHIFTED TO A LOWER GEAR. ALSO, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME BUT, PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, WAS HAVING TRANSMISSION IS…
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…
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
VEHICLE RESPOND TO A LIGHT ACCELERATION REQUEST WITH SUSTAIN FULL THROTTLE OPERATION. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED IN POOR ROAD CONDITIONS WITH FULL THROTTLE OPERATION. THE ONLY INFLUENCE IN COURSE CHANGE WAS TERRAIN AND TORQUE STEERING. AFTER COLLISION WITH A STONE PILLAR CODE P0123 THR…
THE FRONT FRAME THAT HOLDS ENGINE,STRUTS, BRAKES , STEERING ARE ROTTED OUT FROM RUST CAUSING MAJOR ISSUES AND POSSIBLE INJURIES AND DEATH !!!!!!!!!!! CHRYSLER KNOWS OF THESE ISSUES AND WONT DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *TR
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…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE CURRENT…
TRANSMISSION COOLER IN RADIATOR LEAKED, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO CONTAMINATE ENGINE, AND ALSO CONTAMINATED TRANSMISSION WITH RADIATOR FLUID. CALLED CHRYSLER CORP AND THEY SAID NO RECALL ON IT AND DID NOT OFFER TO HELP WITH IT. WHEN I GOOGLE SEARCHED THIS PROBLEM THERE SE…
ON MAY 24, 2013 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WITH ANOTHER EMPLOYEE. WE WERE GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, IT WAS 12:15 IN THE MORNING, AND IT WAS RAINING. I WAS DRIVING IN THE CENTER LANE WHEN MY PASSENGER YELLED OUT THAT THE SEMI TRUCK NEXT TO US WAS MERGING OVER INTO…
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND HE GOT TO THE DRIVEWAY WHERE WE LIVE AND HIS BACK DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL LOCKED UP. WE TOOK IT TO A SHOP HERE IN RUTHVEN AND THEY TRIED TO FIX IT. WE LATER HAD TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER IN SPENCER IOWA. ASHER MOTORS. IT NEED A BREAK KIT BECA…
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 PARKI…
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND I STARTED TO HEAR A STRANGE THUD SOUND OVER AND OVER. I 500 MILES FROM HOME AND FOUND THE NEXT GAS STATION TO PULL INTO. THE RUBBER SEAL THAT IS GLUED IN BETWEEN THE TOP OF MY WINDSHIELD WHERE IT MEETS THE CAR FRAME WAS COMING UNDONE. I TRIED S…
THE SEAL THAT IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP WATER FROM ENTERING YOUR TRUNK WHEN IT RAINS HAS FELL OUT OF PLACE. WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED WHEN I OPENED MY TRUNK ONE DAY JUST 3" SECTION CAME OFF TRACK. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH IT BACK INTO PLACE AND THOUGHT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THEN A MONTH LATER I…
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 …
I HAVE A DODGE NEON 2004 WHEN DRIVING TO SCHOOL THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN WHICH WAS VERY RISKY. IT WAS REVVING UP TO 3200 RPM ATG 40 MPH I HAD TO PULL BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ALL OF A SUDDEN I SAW A LEAK BEHIND THE PLATE ON THE TRANSMISSION THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT …
I WAS LEAVING THE PARKING LOT SUNDAY AND SOMETHING SNAPPED. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND CHECKED THE FRONT END AND ONE WHEEL WAS ONE WAY AND OTHER WAS THE OTHER DIRECTION! LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND SAW THAT THE BALL BROKE OUT OF THE SOCKET. IF THAT WOULD OF HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, I…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE NEON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, HE HEARD A POPPING NOISE. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS OUT FROM ITS SOCKET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CO…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2004 Dodge Neon.
Safety recalls
2004 Dodge Neon recalls
5 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2004 Dodge Neon. 5 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SUSPENSION
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2004 Dodge Neon buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2004 Dodge Neon reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 94 owner complaints, 19 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2004 Dodge Neon shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Dodge Neon?▾
#1: Engine Problems (26 complaints). #2: Transmission / Drivetrain (23 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (15 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Dodge Neon?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2004 Dodge Neon?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2004 Dodge Neon, NHTSA complaints include 19 crash-related reports and 3 fire reports out of 94 total complaints. 18 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2004 Dodge Neon have any recalls?▾
Yes. 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2004 Dodge Neon. A major recall area is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 5 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2004 Dodge Neon?▾
The 2004 Dodge Neon shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Neon reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2004 Dodge Neon based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.