Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Magnum. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to release and shift out of park(P). There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Notification: K39 (Transmission Shift Interlock Lever). The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there was no coverage for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Magnum. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to shift into drive; however, the gear shifter remained stuck in park. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle remained at the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
The vehicle stalled during normal use traveling about 35 miles an hour right after an intersection. MY husband was able to safely make it off the road as we live in a small town he did this by feathering the accelerator pedal. He is a mechanic so he was able to get it home by lightly tapping the pedal. If he pressed the pedal too hard the car stalled without warning so he lightly tapped on it and made it 2 blocks to our home where it has set in the driveway ever since. We spent over $1000 replacing parts such as the throttle body and the fuel pump and sending unit, egr, pcv, crankshaft sensor, plugs,injectors, intake seals, air intake temperature sensor and throttle body which include the throttle position sensor. Before we went for the cam sensor I decided to look up the issue and found so many with the same problem as us. …
Airbag lights suddenly always on. Unknown if they are working or about to deploy. Hesitation in transmission while shifting, not sure if working properly. I haven't had any recalls fixed on this vehicle. It showed recalls and suddenly it shows all repaired. Is it due to the year?2005? Seat belts don't retract and are have to be manually maneuvered.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Dodge Magnum. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel loosened and the interior lighting became very dim. On occasion, the contact smelled a burning odor inside the passenger compartment. There were no warning indicators prior to the failures because the warning light indicators have never worked since the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle would start roughly from time to time. When the contact depressed the brake pedal, the contact heard a loud noise underneath the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle shutters when proceeding to turn, the air conditioning unit is not working properly, and the transmission hesitates intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the steering failure was related to the front suspension. The mechanic replaced two control arms and tie rods. …
Wasn't able to get the shifter out of park, managed to get someone to help me put in neutral to get the car home, now I have been driving it for a month or so by not putting in park, just keeping it in neutral with emergency brake on. Would love to get this resolved with out having to spend money that I don't have. It seems that it is a known problem for years now and yet no one has issued Dodge any notice to submit a recall for this. Most people don't have time and money to be dealing with these types of problems, so they end up in the same situation as I am having to spend more time securing the car so it doesn't injure anyone and at the same time keep me employed. …
The car, after filling with gas, suddenly stalled while driving down a main road. I had to stop in the middle of the road, put the car in neutral, restart it, put the car in drive, wait 2 seconds or so for the transmission to re-engage, and then I could move again. A truck slammed into the back of the car after it came to it's jerky stop and the oncoming truck didn't realize a person would be stopped in front of him where there was no light or stop sign. I found out later, from a car forum, that the 5.7 liter dodges have a rash of issues where the check valve that is part of the fuel tank fails and causes the emission system to get wet and the computer gets confused signals causing the car to stall (shortly after filling the tank). I found out that it would cost at least $1000 to change the entire gas tank as the only fix to the problem. …
1). On 7-31-13, I got into my car and started it in my driveway, the shift knob would not come out of park position. I called aaa to tow it to finnegan Dodge in rosenberg, tx. The dealer replaced shift assembly. Paid $390.36. Since then, car still will not come out of park to go into gear most of the time. I have to pump brake pedal about 4 to 5 times before it would go into gear. 2) received airbag recall and called finnegan Dodge, and dropped off vehicle on 6-22-15. Mileage was 82,058. Dealer stated they replaced driver airbag inflater and tested the system. I picked up car on 6-23-15 and the passenger airbag warning light started coming on at any given time whether there was a passenger or not. I did not have these problems until airbag work was done. Called several times and said someone will call back, but never did. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Magnum. When attempting to drive, the gear shifter failed to shift out of park. The contact called an independent mechanic and her husband was instructed on how to override the gear shifter. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic, but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The technician informed the contact that there was a recall for the transmission interlock level k39. The vehicle was later taken to gerry wood Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (525 jake alexander blvd s, salisbury, nc 28147, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that an interlock return spring hook detached and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The technician referred the contact to NHTSA. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
While driving down the highway or sitting in park, the bas light on the dash will come on, when it does this the engine goes to 800 RPM idle and the transmission goes into neutral, rendering of the vehicle in capable of driving until the vehicle comes to a complete stop, is placed in park, ignition shut off and restarted. Then you can operate the vehicle again until the next time it does this, which May be one minute or a week. This is extremely dangerous as it is happening to me going down the highway a couple of times, at which time I have to pull over to the shoulder shut the vehicle off restart the vehicle and then try to pull away. Twice I've almost been hit by semi tractor-trailers as the vehicle is coasting with no power. Please help me, I am in fear for my life if I drive this vehicle.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42rle automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft May be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle May not be able to achieve 'park' position.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmissions and install a bracket to ensure the park pawl anchor shaft is retained in the proper position. The recall began on November 28, 2005.
Transmission complaints in other Magnum years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Dodge Magnum?
NHTSA has 117 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Dodge Magnum, 18% of the model year's 638 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (32 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Dodge Magnum transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-460 (automatic transmission, Oct 6, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Dodge Magnum transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.