CarComplaints.com Notes: This is a classic example of why you should avoid the first model year of a new car. Sure, it's new and shiny but there's going to be some growing pains.

The 2005 Magnum has problems with the gear shifter getting stuck, a shaky and sometimes stalled engine and transmission failure at 75,000 miles.

Let someone else deal with those headaches.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
77,109 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Dodge Magnum drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2005 Dodge Magnum Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #34

Dec 092013

Magnum

  • 67,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Magnum. The contact stated that the gear lever failed to shift out of park. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the interlock switch was replaced at the owner's expense. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number 05V460000 (power train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.

- New Smyra Beach , FL, USA

problem #33

Oct 102013

Magnum

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Magnum. The contact stated that the gear shifter could not be removed from park. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection where the contact was advised that the gear shifter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number 05V460000 (power train) the approximate failure and current mileage was 100,000.

- Martinez, CA, USA

problem #32

Nov 072013

Magnum 8-cyl

  • 95,001 miles
Went out to start the car on 11/7/13 and could not get the shift out of park. Called the Dodge dealer and he knew exactly what was wrong. Called a tow truck and the owner said that he also knew what was wrong and that his small towing service had towed hundreds of Chrysler / Dodge cars with the same exact problem. I checked on the internet and found hundreds of complaints similar to my problem - cannot get out of park. I also called Chrysler customer service and was told that they knew of the problem, but that my particular vehicle was not covered - only certain VIN's are covered. If there are 100's of cars just in my small location, there must be 1000's, if not tens of thousands affected vehicles nation wide. I will also mention that the manual override for the shifter did not work, so my car had to be dragged onto the tow truck. I feel that this is not only a costly problem for car owners, but a safety issue as well. What if you put the car in park while you were in the middle of traffic and then could not move? I could list other situations as well - all safety issues. I would ask that a total recall of all vehicles effected be issued. Thanks.

- Hudson, FL, USA

problem #31

Mar 132013

Magnum 8-cyl

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After filling up at a gas station, I drove the car approximately 1/2 mile and the car stopped at a traffic light. This has happened to me probably a dozen times since March of this year. It does not happen after every fill up, probably every 4 times it happens.

- Torrington, CT, USA

problem #30

Jul 272013

Magnum 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,071 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Magnum. The contact stated that the gear lever failed to shift out of park. The contact made several attempts to move the gear shifter. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the shift interlock was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 42,071. Updated 09/05/13 updated 09/06/2013

- Suffolk, VA, USA

problem #29

Jul 042013

Magnum

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Magnum. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift out of park gear. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure and stated the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number 05V460000 (power train). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 99,000.

- Cincinnatti, OH, USA

problem #28

Jun 222013

Magnum 6-cyl

  • 54,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle stuck in park. Vehicle is a 2005 Dodge Magnum SXT. Tow truck operator and auto repair individuals stated that this is due to the transmission shifter interlock lever breaking as it made of plastic. Comments were "this happens all the time in Dodge and Chrysler" as "I see this quite frequently". a recall was issued (recall K39) for various years, makes, and models of Dodge and Chrysler but not for the 2005 Magnum SXT even though recall K39 applies to 2005 Magnum lxs. Why doesn't the recall apply to the 2005 Dodge Magnum SXT when it applies to the same year and make" what criteria is applied for a recall to be issued? is there a certain threshold of incidents or complaints that must be reached prior to a recall being issued? since this defect is so frequent, prevalent, and well known in the auto repair industry why has no action been initiated"

- West Chester, PA, USA

problem #27

Jun 122013

Magnum 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
Daimler issued a satisfaction notification K39 regarding the transmission interlock lever" on Chrysler letterhead it states "the transmission gear shift lever interlock return spring hook may break. A broken interlock return spring hook will result in the inability to move the gear shift lever out of park. As of this morning 06/19/13 @ 1119 (est) I contacted Chrysler @(800)853-1403 and spoke with [xxx]-EP765 regarding this matter. According to [xxx] the recall was VIN specific yet and still thousands of vehicles manufactured by daimler are experiencing the same issues to which daimler has been allowed to minimal to remedy. I executed due diligence and went to a local dealership to purchase the part on Saturday prior to being enlightened and was informed: Daimler recalled all the original pink parts internally and forwarded newly constructed parts with better springs. If this is not an admission the product part was faulty and requires recalling, I am unsure how much plainer this needs to be. I also had someone from Dodge inform me, my vehicle has 110K it was bound to happen and should have gone out earlier?! maybe daimler prior to selling their vehicles include a disclosure which says something like: " the parts used to build your vehicle may be defective and should this occur we at daimler will selectively elect which VIN numbers are serviced based on what will satisfy our bottom line and federal guidelines. Should you still choose to purchase this vehicle please sign below" daimler needs to be accountable to correct this problem on all vehicles instead of being sneaky and only addressing what could be considered as a handful in the grand scheme of things.... accountability. If we intently sold anything faulty the charge would be intent to defraud. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Avondale, AZ, USA

problem #26

Apr 092012

Magnum 8-cyl

  • 75,420 miles
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 Dodge 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. I can't believe there isn't a recall for this dangerous problem. Luckily the damage in the crash wasn't severe although I suffered from whiplash as a result.

- Granbury, TX, USA

problem #25

Mar 292013

Magnum 6-cyl

  • 86,000 miles
I was driving down the street and the car stopped going I let it sit for awhile and it went a little then stopped I had to tow it to a transmission shop and they said that water got into transmission because of the way the water flows from the radiator to trans to cool it. Transmission fluid was mixed in water and water in transmission so I had to replace both and clean entire system out. I also am having problems with my headlights staying on at night they keep going on and off while I am driving I see this too is an ongoing problem and a safety issue.

- Covina, CA, USA

problem #24

Apr 012007

Magnum

  • 21,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Bought an 05 hemi AWD Magnum w/20,000 miles in 07. Warranty expired at 85,000miles. Problems after problems, rack and pinion fixed, egr valve fixed, torque converter replaced once and still having the same issue. Shudders, vibrations, hard engine noises and stalls, pulls to the right, electrical problems with windows, sunroof, seats, gps, instrument cluster, power outlets, hood and hatchback just fall down and bump your head. Passenger seat was missing bolts and wasn't fastened to frame. $200 keyless entry key replacement. No where near 24 mpg more like 14 down a flat 55mph highway. Currently 114,000 miles oil always changed around 3,000 miles and had a 3 tranny flushes. Take it to certified Dodge dealerships and they cant figure out what is wrong with any of those problems and try and tell me that's the way it is. Uhhhhhhhuh..... lemon?

- Sherburn, MN, USA

problem #23

Mar 032008

Magnum 8-cyl

  • miles
Problems with the sunroof - off track, problems with the transmission - leaking, problems with the front end suspension - axle, problems with the gear shift - would not engage out of park, problems with the driver side seat - cracking, problems with the driver side seatbelt - jams and problems with the hydraulic hinges on the hood as well as the rear hatch.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #22

Dec 092008

Magnum 6-cyl

  • 17,600 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Magnum. The contact stated that the gear shift would periodically get stuck. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, but they were unable to duplicate the failure. The contact felt that this was a manufacturer's defect. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 17,600. The VIN was not available. Updated 02/09/12

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #21

Nov 152011

Magnum 8-cyl

  • 62,000 miles
After starting my car, I attempted (without success) to shift out of park. The transmission shift interlock lever (as Chrysler calls it) had broken and locked the shifter in park. I fortunately had tools in the back and was able to disassemble the center console and get the car moving again. I was told by friends that Chrysler had issued a recall for this problem, and was forwarded a copy of Chrysler's customer satisfaction notification K39, which describes exactly what had happened to me. I took the car to the dealer for repair, and was told my car was not covered under the recall. I am still trying to get Chrysler to cover the repairs, as it is a seemingly very common issue with the LX platform.

- Sandy, UT, USA

problem #20

Sep 022011

Magnum

  • 58,000 miles
Car will not shift out of park. When you depress the brake pedal, there is a spring attached to a clip that moves in order for you to be able to shift out of park. The clip usually brakes (about 50-60K miles) and then you cannot shift out of park. You have to manually press a button at the front of the shift box in order to be able to shift out of park. This is a common occurrence on Chrysler and Dodge cars. I also have a 2008 Chrysler pacifica and the same happened. This is a very common occurrence. This should be a recall. It affects various Chrysler/ Dodge cars different years.

- Glendora, CA, USA

problem #19

Oct 142011

Magnum 8-cyl

  • 63,000 miles
Had complete transmission failure driving on highway at 50 M.P.H. engine light came on followed by loud high pitch noise from engine compartment. Car jerked to a full stop. Tried to move shift selector to get car to move, no help. Disconect battery to reset system. Able to get a gear to get car 2 miles to home. Have car towed to shop. 7days later, and $3800 out of wallet, have new transmission. 63,000 miles and tranny fails? got to be kidding me!!!! this seems to be a problem for Dodge. Car should be declared a lemon so people can recover some of the out of warrenty cost!!!!!!!!!

- Iron Ridge, WI, USA

problem #18

Oct 102011

Magnum 8-cyl

  • 77,854 miles
I had the exact same experience as documented below - I found this on your web site and decided to add my complaint to the list. My 2005 Dodge Magnum would not shift out of park. It has 77,854 miles on it. I was stranded in a culver's restaurant drive through, obstructing their business. I could not move my running vehicle. This is a widely known issue, and Chrysler even issued a customer satisfaction notification K39 (www.Chrysler.com/webselfservice/pdf/K39.pdf) directly related to this exact same problem. I went into the dealer to get the expected repair, and was also told my car didn't fall under the recall and thus wasn't covered. They offered to fix it for $450. I said no. I contacted Chrysler's customer assistance hotline, and eventually they offered to fix it if I pay a $100 co-pay. I also rejected this offer. The part that fixes this problem is sold by Napa and another online company because the problem is so widespread. Forum posts everywhere mention this problem. Google "pink thingy". it is the part that breaks inside the shifter - called the transmission shift interlock lever. This is a safety concern. Once the pink thingy is broken, you have to remove it in order to drive your vehicle. Now, the vehicle can be moved out of park without pressing in the brake pedal! this is a horrible safety concern if you have kids! Chrysler must expand the recall to cover all the other cars supposedly not covered by the K39 recall! the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Magnum. The contact stated that the shifter would not shift out of park. As a result, the contact could not operate the vehicle. The contact noticed the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 2D (power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift). The dealer informed the contact that the model year of the vehicle was not included in the recall.

- New Brighton, MN, USA

problem #17

Oct 212011

Magnum 6-cyl

  • miles
The car is stuck in park. After reading several forums from other consumers with the same make, model and year, this seems to be a problem for alot of consumers. Other Dodge models had a recall so I don't understand why there isn't a recall for the Dodge Magnum.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #16

Oct 062011

Magnum

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Magnum. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift out of park. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the gear shift mechanism failed. The contact was also advised that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 05V460000 (power train:automatic transmission). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and reiterated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #15

Jul 012011

Magnum

  • 38,000 miles
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.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

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