Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Dodge Magnum owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
A driver suddenly stopped in front of while I was moving resulting of me hitting her in the back. Front of my car is totaled. The shock was violent but the airbag never deployed. Thank god I was not greatly hurt.
The airbag light came on just after purchase and upon lowering the tilt wheel and did so after every supposed repair. I had this in for repair 7 times 5 of which were done at warrensburg Chrysler in warrensburg, missouri. By the time they had tried 5 times and torn my dash apart scratching all the lower kick panels and leaving me with a dash that rattles the vehicle was out of warranty and refused to rectify the issue. I then called the district rep and was told quote: (we ain't doing [redacted] about it!) at this point I gave up but did contact the federal trade commission and never received a reply. …
I have not had a complete failure. Waiting on that to happen. I purchased a brand new 2005 Dodge Magnum sxt with v6, automatic transmission in 2005 from a dealership. It had approximately 36 miles on it. I have not had the pulling to the right everyone else had, but it does make a funny scrubbing sound while driving as if the tire was rubbing against the car on the right rear passenger side and several other problems that are common. I have depressed the brake and felt vibrations from pedal on several occasions. The car doesn't seem to be able to stop completely. I even got out to look,thinking I hit something. A few months ago, the power outlet located inside the astray stopped working. It blew a fuse, I replaced it. Then, two weeks ago, the power outlet in the console stopped working. Just two days ago, the battery went dead for the second time in three months. …
I have had at least 3 of the issues of the complaints I am seeing here and wondering why there has been no recalls issued: 1) car would not accelerate or it would die after filling up the gas tank. Went on line and found others having similar problem. Fix: do not fill your gas tank up all the way and also do not let it get too close to empty. 2) neither the back hatch or the hood will stay up on their own. Have been hit in the head with the back hatch numerous times - sometimes it works. 3) could not get car out of park. Again went on line and even found a youtube video explaning how to remove the pink thingy from the gear counsel and all will be OK. Saved hundreds of dollars but now no safety due to the fact that car can be turned off in all gears.
With my full attention on the cargo being removed from vehicle, the rear liftgate struts failed suddenly and without warning, causing liftgate to fall on my head and neck. The liftgate is approximately 125 pounds and leveraged to accelerate during closing. The liftgate struts are insufficiently sized for the application and no fail safe exists to prevent free fall. The latch mechanism struck me directly on the spine at the base of the skull causing temporary unconsciousness. This could easily be a fatal impact, especially for young children, infants or the elderly. Replacement struts are expensive and will simply fail again. The manufacturer should be responsible to repair these defects regardless of warranty or mileage.
Dt: owner feels that it is a safety defect that there is a blind spot because when you look out to the driver's side window, the view is blocked by the position of the rearview mirror. This problem was noticed when the owner was driving on a main road. The owner has reported to dealer who states there is a design of low bucket seats and that the vehicle fits with all federal motor vehicle safety standards. The manufacture was contacted and reported the same as dealer. Owner is also pursuing the lemon law about this car. 2005 Magnum had to be chosen even though it is a 2006 vehicle, daimler Chrysler had no listings in 2006.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Dodge Magnum. While driving 55 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise and the vehicle began to shake uncontrollably. The dealer stated that the rear drive shaft bolts failed, which caused the drive shaft to fail. The dealer also stated that they would replace the drive shaft, drive shaft bolt, transfer case pan, yoke and cracked the transmission pan as well as the transmission filter. As of July 19, 2007, the vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 25,123. The vehicle lost all transmission fluid. The plastic shield on the undercarriage fell off. Updated 09/05/07.
I took my Dodge Magnum into the larry miller Dodge dealership (avondale Dodge was brought out by larry miller Dodge who did not keep records from the previous owners). To have some worked done on the coil. When I got my car back the dashboard was cracked. They stated it was sun damage that occurres most Dodge magnums and refused to fix it. I called Dodge who stood behind the dealership and refused to pay to have it fixed because the vehicle is 2005 Dodge Magnum and stated it was common in 2005 Dodge magnums. They also suggested that I should buy a dash cover to cover the dashboard.
While looking at the vehicle at a dealer, the hachback door opens too fast until slamming to the end and it bumped a little up and down when completly open, it appears the two little shock absorbers or whatever they are called do not help the door to open slow. I noticed the body of the car on the sides (betwen the windows and the roof at the level where the hinges are) there was a little line and it was bent to the outside a little and it was about two inches long on each side. I told the sales people in case they sale the car without fixing it.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Dodge Magnum. The rear hatch fell and hit the contact on the back while she was taking things out the rear of the vehicle. The rear hatch would not stay in the upright locked position. The manufacturer was not contacted. One week later, the contact opened the hood and it would not stay up. A local dealer repaired the hood and replaced the shocks. The hatch has not been repaired. The contact was unhappy because she had to pay for the repair. The current mileage was 32000. The failure mileage was 30000. Updated 06/16/10
Body complaints in other Magnum years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2005 Dodge Magnum?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the body & structure of the 2005 Dodge Magnum, 4% of the model year's 638 complaints. The component named most often is body (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Dodge Magnum body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2005 Dodge Magnum, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Dodge Magnum body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 9 injuries and 1 death to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.