Is the 2005 Dodge Magnum a bad year?
638 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Magnum years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2005 Dodge Magnum are in line with other Magnum years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2005 Magnum owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 140 (22%) | 57k–110k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 131 (21%) | 35k–116k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 117 (18%) | 38k–99k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 111 (17%) | 55k–118k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 54 (8%) | 67k–123k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 25 (4%) | 21k–84k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 49 (8%) | 0k–34k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 48 (8%) | 1k–63k miles · mostly behind | — |
| TiresSTANDS OUT | 43 (7%) | 5k–16k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 16 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 14 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 14 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 12 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 638 complaints: 22 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 24 report an injury · 12 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jul 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I purchased this vehicle brand new in 2005. Three months after the purchase, the car would not shift out of park.
After many conversations with Chrysler associates, and many internet searches...there is an on going problem with the 2005 Dodge magnum AWD systems.
2005 Dodge magnum the electronic shifter will not come out of park into reverse at various times. This defect is widely known throughout the automotive community and should be recalled as it affects many vehicles.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 80,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2005 Dodge Magnum: 7
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
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. If this occurs and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away and cause a crash without warning.
On certain passenger vehicles, the battery cable fasteners at the bulkhead stud may not have been properly tightened. A loose fastener can cause an instrument panel fire.
On certain passenger vehicles, the front shoulder belt adjustable turning loop (Atl) bolts may not have been properly tightened. This could cause shoulder belt separation in certain crash conditions, which can increase the risk of injury to front seat occupants.
On certain passenger vehicles, a spot welding operation for the rear floorpan reinforcement may not have been performed. This could cause the rear seat belt anchors and/or the child seat anchors to separate in certain crash conditions, which can increase the risk of injury to rear seat passengers.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 15
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2005 Dodge Magnum. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Service Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
When fuel tank fill-up, the engine stalls immediately
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Rear Hatch Strut Support Failure
Neighbouring years
2006 Magnum: 321 complaints, consider selling.
Every Dodge Magnum year
2003 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · All Magnum years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2005 Dodge Magnum a bad year?
638 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Magnum years. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Dodge Magnum?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (140), air bags (131), transmission and drivetrain (117), engine (111), electrical system (54).
How many recalls does the 2005 Dodge Magnum have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 16V-352), Air bags (NHTSA 15V-313), Air bags (NHTSA 14V-770), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 05V-460) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.