Dodge›Neon›2005›2.0L/dodge/neon/2005/2-0l/

PL platform

2005 Dodge Neon — 2.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2005 Neon 2.0L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.0LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

Constructed on the PL platform as a straightforward passenger car, the 2005 Dodge Neon pairs its 2.0L engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission to deliver EPA fuel economy of 22 city, 29 highway, and 25 combined mpg. Routine maintenance requires 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API oil with a filter, but broader ownership concerns tilt toward the power train, which anchors the vehicle's 95 total owner complaints and four recalls. When contextualized within the model's 1993–2005 complaint history, this iteration sits far closer to the historically low baseline of three complaints in 1993 than the problematic 1995 peak of 1196, meaning researchers can view the 2005 Neon as a comparatively stable chapter in the car's reliability trajectory.

Model year2005 2004 2003 2001

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy22/29/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 26R · 450 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04105409AE. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 26R · 450 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	04105409AE alt 04781452BF
Engine air filter	04891097AA discontinued
Fuel filter	05278631AA discontinued · alt 04897416AB
Spark plug	68304149AA alt 68307021AA
Front wiper blades	05014795AA discontinued · alt 05014794AA
Serpentine belt	04668380AF alt 04668241AE
Thermostat	P5278144AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	22 / 29 / 25 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	90 cu ft
Cargo volume	13 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt w/ filter
Manual Transmission Fluid	ATF +4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity	5.0-6.0

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	100 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	16.7 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	20.8 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	180 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	160 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	8500
Spark Plug Gap	0.033-0.038 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0-15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.875 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	ND 8 oil
Oil Capacity	6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	26R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	450 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	170
Engine Compression	170
Engine Oil Pressure	25-80 psi

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle	16 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	16 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	26 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

21 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

21 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Lubricate bolts with clean engine oil

1	25.0 ft. lbs.	25 ft. lbs
2	50 ft. lbs.	50 ft. lbs
3	50 ft. lbs.	50 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees	90 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Install main bearing bed plate to block bolts 11, 17 and 20 finger tight. Step 2

10 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant at 102,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 102,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 18,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
At 102,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Timing Belt (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified

Tool required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module

Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified

When needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2005 Dodge Neon sits at the tail end of a generation that peaked in complaints and recalls around 1995–2000. Federal data shows a clear downward trend: complaints dropped from a high of 1,196 in 1995 to just 95 in 2005, while recalls fell from 11 to 4 and investigations went from 9 to 0. The 2005 model year mirrors the low levels seen in 2004 (94 complaints, 5 recalls) and is notably better than the early 2000s spikes. However, the top complaint areas remain powertrain, structure, and air bags, with 23 crash-related and 2 fire-related complaints on record—numbers that are low in absolute terms but still present. Overall, the 2005 is one of the more reliable years for this generation, but given the model’s age and persistent trouble spots, it is a cautious buy only if you can verify thorough maintenance and inspect those key areas.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

23 involved a crash · 2 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04’05

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 95 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train11

Structure10

Air Bags10

Engine & Engine Cooling9

Electrical System7

Vehicle Speed Control6

Service Brakes, Hydraulic4

Suspension3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

06E049000Exterior LightingReported 24/05/2006

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH… Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 37 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
9004009	2021-04-07	Power Train	Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
9004009	2021-03-31	Power Train	Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
23-015-20	2020-04-30	Equipment	Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Neon. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 26R battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt w/ filter PL-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 04105409AE Engine air filter 04891097AA Fuel filter 05278631AA Spark plug 68304149AA

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2005 Neon 2.0L take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2005 Neon have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.0L get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined mpg.