Dodge Hornet Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability

At approximately 11:00PM on April 24, 2026 I received a phone call from a neighbor telling me that my car was on fire. I went outside and the car, which was parked in the driveway, was pouring out smoke and making popping noises. We called the fire department and watch from a safe distance. The smoke and popping got worse another were large flares or jets of flame visible. The fire department attempted to contain the fire but the priority was our house. After multiple attempts to put out the fire the fire fighters used a specially manufactured blanket to aid in keeping the fire from spreading. The fire burned for roughly 3-4 hours before burning itself out.

Unresolved Safety Defects & Request for Buyback/Replacement - 2024 Dodge Hornet GT ​Dear NHTSA ​I am writing to formally demand a resolution regarding a persistent and life-threatening safety defect in my vehicle, purchased from Gary Barbera Autoland. ​Since the time of purchase, this vehicle has experienced repeated electrical malfunctions causing a total loss of power, including the failure of steering and braking systems while in motion. To date, the vehicle has been returned for service seven times over the past 2.5 years for this identical issue. ​The dealership has failed to rectify the defect and is now citing an expired mileage warranty. However, the records clearly indicate that this safety defect was reported and remained unresolved while the vehicle was well within the warranty period. Under the Pennsylvania Lemon Law and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a manufacturer is required to repair a vehicle within a reasonable number of attempts (typically three). ​This vehicle is currently unsafe for myself, my disabled mother, and the public. I am requesting that Stellantis the Manufacturer initiate a buyback or replacement of this vehicle immediately. Please provide a written response within [5-7] business days outlining your intent to resolve this matter. Thank you ​Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

This involves a rental from AVIS at Orlando International Airport that I picked up on the 24th of March. I drove up to Palm Coast, as that journey progressed I began to notice that turning the steering wheel, either right or left the beginning of that motion had no effect on the direction of the car, which meant you had to turn the wheel further than you would normally that gave the driver a lack of confidence in the steering. This got progressively worse over the next couple of days, so I investigated to see what was wrong. It took me a little over one minute to find the pinch bolt in the knuckle joint, where the steering column joins to the steering rack, was completely missing. Realising how dangerous this was, I contacted AVIS, who asked me to drive the car some 30 miles to their nearest depot/office, which I declined to do, telling the vehicle was dangerous in it's current condition. They brought a replacement car on a recovery lorry and took the first car away. I told the driver that the car he was taking should not be put on rental until the issue was sorted.

On April 22rd after leaving work and accelerating to pass a vehicle upon lifting my foot from the throttle the vehicle continued to accelerated, turbos engaged and braking caused a service electronic throttle control system message on the dash. After stopping at a red light once the light turned green the vehicle accelerated on its own with no driver input and continued to accelerate until I was able to stop the vehicle. Despite heavy brake pressure the vehicle was still trying to accelerate at a stop. This was the third incident of this type of issue

The contact owns a 2023 Dodge Hornet. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V246000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that the recall repair was completed; however, the NHTSA website indicated that the VIN was still under recall. The contact informed the manufacturer, and an appointment was scheduled, but the contact was informed by the dealer that the recall repair had been performed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Vehicle accelerated on its own as if the throttle was depressed full throttle

I am having continual failures of the electronic door lock/linkage that causes the door to no open from either the interior or exterior of the vehicle. The door latch has been replaced twice on the driver door, once on the rear driver side, the passenger rear is going to be replaced this week, and the passenger front is starting to make a similar noise that the others have made before failing. In an attempt to fix before the cable was also replaced on the latch. The vehicle will not lock the doors allowing for them to be opened while the alarm is armed and will set it off from the exterior of the vehicle. This does not appear to be related to cold weather that has caused issues with the door closing in the past. All repairs have been completed under warranty, but I am considering this to be a safety risk, it does not throw warning messages or errors on the EVIC, and a general scanner does not show any faults with the door. I consider this to be a major safety risk due to the fact that if it fails on the interior of the vehicle, you cannot get out in an emergency without climbing over the door. If it fails from the exterior and an emergency happens you would need to access from another way and crawl over the seats. I do not slam the doors, and the driver side are the most used on this vehicle.

Date: April 1, 2026 Subject: FINAL NOTICE: Repeated Safety Failures and Demand for Buyback – 2024 Dodge Hornet (VIN: [XXX] ) ​To [XXX] Autoland, Management and Stellantis Customer Care, ​I am writing to formally document a persistent and life-threatening safety defect regarding my 2024 Dodge Hornet GT, purchased on December 21, 2023. As of today, this vehicle has become a liability to my physical safety and a significant financial burden. ​Vehicle Information: ​Year/Make/Model: 2024 Dodge Hornet GT ​Purchase Date: 12/21/2023 ​Current Mileage: 41,166 ​History of Failure: ​The vehicle has experienced five distinct instances of total power loss, resulting in the immediate loss of power steering and braking assistance while in motion. These incidents occurred on the following dates: ​January 10, 2024 ​May 2024 ​October 19, 2024 – November 21, 2024 (Out of service for 33 days) ​November 24, 2024 (Out of service for an additional 7 days) ​March 29, 2026 – Present (Currently in shop; no status update or loaner provided) ​Safety Concern: ​These malfunctions are not minor mechanical inconveniences; they represent a "Nonconformity" that substantially impairs the safety and use of the vehicle. Operating a vehicle that may lose steering and braking power at any moment places me at imminent risk of bodily injury or death. ​Demand: ​Despite my exhaustive documentation—including photos, email history, and towing records—both the dealership and the manufacturer have failed to provide a permanent repair or adequate support. ​I am formally requesting a Repurchase (Buyback) of this vehicle under the provisions of state Lemon Law and the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. This vehicle has been out of service for over 40 cumulative days for the same recurring safety issue, which far exceeds the threshold for a "reasonable number of repair attempts." ​Please provide a written response regarding the status of my vehicle and a decision on this buyback request within 3 days INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Have been, unsuccessfully, attempting to get my vehicle repaired under Safety Recall Notice 25V-246 for almost 1 year. Today was my fourth attempt. I do not believe the manufacturer is making a good faith attempt to rectify a built in defect with my car.

The contact rented a 2024 Dodge Hornet. While driving 50-75 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound, and the steering wheel was not turning as intended. Additionally, the steering wheel and the front axle were not responding as intended, and constant adjustments were needed; the contact had to grip the steering wheel tightly. The contact stated that the failure increased while turning the steering wheel. The vehicle was driven back to the rental agency. No further information was available. The failure mileage was approximately 48,025.

While commuting to work, my vehicle’s dashboard illuminated with the indicators for both the engine and hybrid electric systems. Subsequently, the vehicle began to hydroplane across lanes into the median, rendering it impossible to regain control. prior to the incident, my electrical system on my dash been flickering and blacking out Random occasions for the past weeks

I am a disabled veteran reporting a failed recall remedy and a dangerous safety defect in a 2024 Dodge Hornet GT. This vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Recall 25V246000 (Rear Visibility System), where the display module was reportedly replaced/updated. On January 17, 2026, while driving at slow speeds, the center infotainment screen suffered a total failure and went blank. This failure resulted in the immediate loss of the rearview camera and all primary safety/vehicle interfaces, which is a direct violation of FMVSS No. 111. I provided video evidence of the total screen failure to the service department at Southern Dodge Jeep Ram Alfa Romeo in Norfolk Virginia. While they confirmed the failure occurred based on my footage, they stated they could not replicate the issue during their inspection and informed me there was "nothing they could do." They refused to keep me in a safe loaner vehicle, forcing me to choose between driving a fundamentally unsafe vehicle with my young child or incurring massive personal expense for a rental. Due to the manufacturer’s inability to provide a permanent remedy for a federally recalled safety defect, I was forced to sell the vehicle at a significant loss. I am filing this to urge an investigation into the effectiveness of the current remedy for Recall 25V246000.