AI DamageDodge Hornet: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Dodge Hornet across 4 model years: 55 owner complaints and 209 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 42% of all complaints
- 2 Forward collision avoidance 25% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 5 Backover prevention 11% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 7% of all complaints
- 8 Lane departure 7% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 23 complaints (42% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 193.
- Forward collision avoidance: 14 complaints (25% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 16.
- Engine: 6 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 33.
- Service brakes: 6 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 16.
- Backover prevention: 6 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2023–2025
- 1.3 L · plug-in hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl 2024–2025
- automatic, 6-speed 2024–2025
- automatic, 9-speed 2023–2025
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 55 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 23 | 0 | 193 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 14 | 1 | 16 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 33 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 1 | 16 |
| Backover prevention | 6 | 1 | 4 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 15 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 20 |
| Lane departure | 4 | 1 | 12 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 11 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The Forward Collision Avoidance warning light was illuminated and independently went blank. The contact's son sustained pain and bruises to the body. In addition, the contact stated that a month prior, several unknown warning lights illuminated and later went off. The contact stated that the vehicle was inoperable.
Notified dealer roughly 9/27/23 of issues with dodge hornet . The car went into reverse instead of forward causing significant damage to another car we own . Dodge pulled the black box and gave findings that they weren’t liable however here we are in 2025 an issues we complained about are in recall without a remedy to…
While driving in left lane of one way road at 46 mph with adaptive cruise and lane sense active, the cruise control switched off and lane assist veered left off the road, locking the steering wheel to the left. I was unable to correct steering until after the car had come to a complete stop.
The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V510000 (Seat Belts); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe for passengers to ride in. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available.
The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and the vehicle decelerated to 5 MPH. The vehicle was driven to a nearby parking lot and the engine seized.
My rear seat belt on the driver side has twisted and will not retract in or out anymore it is stuck out to large for my child that is in a booster seat. I have two children and am unable to use one of the seats needed for my children. The dealership will not take the vehicle or give me a loaner.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Flash
- Flash
- Mis-Machined Engine Block
- When long block is received, inspection needs to be performed per SOL S2609000010 before the repair begins
- THROTTLE BODY – NONE
- THROTTLE BODY – NONE
- Heated Seats and Heated Wheel Turn Off Or Become Disabled Customers may comment on the following
- Body Control Module (BCM) Missing Generic Flash Support Technicians may experience the following
- Flash
- Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Content Missing Or Screen Blank Customers may experience the following
- Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Content Missing Or Screen Blank Customers may experience the following
- The following software enhancement is available
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.