Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Dodge Neon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 throttle high voltage was found.
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 issues for over a year. The contact mentioned that a plastic piece that separated the coolant and transmission fluid fractured and allowed coolant to enter the transmission. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing and repairs; however, the radiator was replaced. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 139,000. The VIN was unavailable.
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 towed to a salvage yard. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Car was taken for oil change and tune-up @ 134,000 miles. Couple days later car started stalling intermittently. Would start in the am from sitting all night but when driven to work and parked for 5 1/2 hours car would not start w/o a jump. Mechanic did not read anything on diagnostics. Went to advanced auto who read battery was low. Replaced battery & car still stalled. Car no longer responded to jump and had it towed to mechanic. When mechanic received car was able to start car with no hesitation and drove for 30 minutes. Turned car off and let it sit for another 30 minutes and had no problem starting. Mechanic could not figure out what was wrong with vehicle. Stuck with a car that intermittently stalls and shows no other signs of failure. Car has not cut off while driving only stalls while trying to start vehicle.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Dodge Neon. The contact took her vehicle to the dealer to have the brake pads serviced. The technician discovered that the transmission solenoid pact was leaking and made the replacement. The repairs totaled $1,000, of which the contact paid $865. Two days after the repairs, the vehicle revved up while driving 25 MPH. On one occasion, the contact released the accelerator pedal to slow down and the vehicle began accelerate on its own. She attempted to apply the brakes, but the vehicle still accelerated. When she arrived home, she noticed that the check engine indicator was illuminated. She took the vehicle back to the dealer, but has not yet received any feedback. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current and failure mileages were 96,978.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Neon. The contact was making repairs to the vehicle when he noticed that the area where the air intake tube was connected to the idle air control unit, the vehicle could possibly cause unintended acceleration if the clamp was not installed properly. The contact stated that if the accelerator pedal was depressed, the rpms would increase excessively and the vehicle would take accelerate rapidly. The failure mileage was 179,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 06/28/12 the dealer informed the consumer, there was nothing to worry about, but if the part did come loose, the computer in the vehicle would decrease the RPM's. Updated 06/29/12
Check engine light came on and engine started bucking.no more gears or shifting into drive.loss of transmission fluid and coolant. A piece of transmission line or fitting corroded and let loose inside the radiator. This caused the mixing of fluids into the transmission and cooling system.radiator failed and bled fluids. Radiator was replaced and coolant system was flushed. Transmission was also flushed.this very same problem occurred to my co-worker that has the same type vehicle(04 Dodge Neon,2.0 litre engine,74000 miles). I suspect it is happening to every customer that has that type and year Neon. Part not available.
I have a 2004 Dodge srt-4. I have had it since April 3rd 2004 and ever since about 3500 miles I have had a oil leak coming out of the cold side intercooler pipe. I have taken it to Dodge and they have told me that it was normal on my car. A brand new car with a oil leak, doesn't make any sense. I know its blow by coming out of the pcv system and a catch can would stop the oil from leaking. But what I don't understand is why didn't' Dodge put one in the first place? My car now has 45000 and it still has the oil leak and a big group of oil spots on my white driveway.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle stalls intermittently. This happens at various speeds and under normal driving and road conditions. However, it happens mostly when the vehicle is shifted from third, fourth or fifth gear. The vehicle has been to the local dealership numerous times, they are unable to duplicate the problem. The starter has been replaced 3 times, the entire wiring harness was replaced, the o2 sensor was replaced and the camshaft sensor and bolts were replaced. Although, these replacements were replaced the problem still exits.
2004 Dodge Neon sxt. Transmission / cooling system failure resulting in antifreeze mixing with transmission fluid destroying transmission and radiator. Dodge refuses to honor their power train warranty citing the cooling system as the cause of the transmission failure, and not the powertrain. This should be a rare occurrence according to my mechanic, but it is one of the largest problems with the car online. There seems to be a major defect in these cars causing a catastrophic failure. Dealer estimated 3900 parts and labor to fix.
Engine complaints in other Neon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Dodge Neon?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Dodge Neon, 28% of the model year's 94 complaints. The component named most often is engine (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Dodge Neon engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2004 Dodge Neon. 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 2004 Dodge Neon engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.