Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
I have a 2005 Dodge Magnum as I was driving home the etc light came on the dash board, then moments later my car just died, shut completely down, I let it sit for a little bit then cranked it back up, but it kept shutting down with the etc light continuing to come on , I then took it to auto care to get it looked at, .... They said it was the throttle body, they replaced it and I paid $168, the next morning I go to get in my car and the light comes back on and same problem happens they now say they must of gotten a faulty throttle body, changed it out again, next morning same thing happens, now they replace the main computer take it to Dodge get the computer reprogrammed and I pay $267.00, guess what next day it does it again. Now Dodge has my car and they replace a solenoid-throttle body , I pay them $476.00 after telling them the hole story they still replace the throttle body. …
I have contacted Dodge after my Magnum nearly killed me (literally). They told me to 'pay for my repairs and keep my receipt in case of a recall'. This is a huge safety issue and it needs attention. My gas pedal literally broke off while I was driving and was stuck wide open. By that I mean it broke off completely from the assembly that holds the pedal to the actual car itself! Then, after I contacted them to bring it in to a shop, the shifter would not shift out of drive, and when I got it out of drive, it will not move from park!! I have done a lot of research and this is a common problem in this year of Magnum!!! It is going to kill someone!!! Thank god I was at home so no one else would have been harmed and I was able to think quickly! I literally almost crashed into two very large cement silo's! They refuse to repair this issue!!! …
Our Dodge Magnum has flickering headlights as well as dash lights also flicker. We our currently unable to drive the vehicle safety at night. Dodge says it could be 2 potential problems,first try replacing the light switch which has been done. The problem still exist,next to replace the fcm [front control module]. The fcm is on back order with no release date avaliable. OK so they said to replace the PCM which includes the fcm which is also not avaliable. The lighs only flicker when the vehicle is running and at night. Makes no difference when turning or speed. We have contacted multiple dealers an all have the same response. The dealers sugested we try a junk yard for a use fcm, but how can we be sure that solves the problem. The problem started around January 2018. We purchased the car new 2005. We feel this is a major safety issue that needs to be address asap. Please help us
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Magnum. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the contact noticed smoke escaping from the instrument panel. The contact parked and exited the vehicle as the interior began to fill with black smoke. The fire and police department were called and a report was filed. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle would have to be towed to the dealer for investigation. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 04V334000 (electrical system:battery:cables) which could possibly have ben related to the failure but the manufacturer advised that the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Magnum. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after safely leaving the roadway. The contact stated that all electrical functions and power steering functions remained operable for several seconds after the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed on four separate occasions, but the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure or retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 31643074. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Since I have purchased the car there have been numerous issues. I did purchase the car as is, I am leasing it at 250.00 month. The total cost of the car is over 11,000 dollars and there are too many issues and problems with the vehicle. The lights for instance seem to have a shortage of some sort, because they come in and out. The rear airbag light comes on periodically and will not go off. There seems to be a problem with the ignition switch as well. I have spent a good amount of money on this vehicle, I would like to get my moneys worth. I am driving an unsafe vehicle and I have two children that I am responsible for driving around.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Magnum. The contact stated that the tail and brake lights malfunctioned without warning. The contact replaced the fuse, but the failure persisted. The contact mentioned that on another occasion, the ABS and ESP warning lights continuously illuminated on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician stated that the bulkhead stud battery cable module needed to be replaced because the repetitive fuse replacements had caused the module to burn. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.
I have a 2005 Dodge Magnum sxt. I have approximately 164,000. Miles on the car. For the past few months I have experienced starting problems. When I turn the key to start the car nothing will happen. By accident I pressed the lock/alarm set on my key while sitting in the car. So I unlocked the car (still sitting in it) and tried to re-start the car, and it started right up. I have experienced this at least 4 times now with more frequency and did the same thing to start the car. It has worked every time, but this is not something I want to rely on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Magnum. The contact stated started the vehicle and approximately five minutes later, the vehicle was on fire. The fire spread rapidly and blew out the windshield, spread to the dashboard and melted the dashboard area. The fire department was present and performed and inspection on the vehicle, advising that the fire originated in the engine bay area due to an electrical failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The current and failure mileage was 98,000.
Vehicle ignition will randomly shut off vehicle especially when taking a corner car goes completely dead can be restarted by shifting into neutral and using ignition sw. And May not do this for a few days but repeats this at random sometimes 3-4 times in a row in a 20 min period very dangerous when on the highway going 70 MPH !!! Bought this new..... No other owners [redacted]
Related recalls
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables
On certain passenger vehicles, the battery cable fasteners at the bulkhead stud May not have been properly tightened.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the bulkhead stud battery cable fasteners to the proper specification. Owner notification began on July 6, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical complaints in other Magnum years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Dodge Magnum?
NHTSA has 54 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Dodge Magnum, 8% of the model year's 638 complaints. The component named most often is horn (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Dodge Magnum electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-334 (cables, Jul 9, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Dodge Magnum electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.