Last updated: 2026-10-10

Dodge Hornet

Dodge Hornet Years to Avoid

3 scored model years (2023–2025) · model average 59/100

No Hornet year is clearly worse than the model's own average. What changes is volume: the 2024 carries the most recalls and complaints, including three fire reports, while the 2025 is too new to judge. Among years with enough time on the road, 2023 is the one to buy.

Verdict

Avoid
No outlier years
Buy
2023 59/100
Model average
59/100
See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

What Are Common Dodge Hornet Problems?

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

27 complaints

Most reported in 2024, 2023

2024: No-start and random shutdowns lead these reports, often traced to the battery.

SERVICE BRAKES

10 complaints

Most reported in 2024

2024: Most of these filings are about a brake recall notice, not a failure.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

8 complaints

Most reported in 2024, 2023

2024: Nearly all of these reports are about a rear camera recall where the repair parts are on back order.

STEERING

7 complaints

Most reported in 2024

2024: Sudden loss of power steering is the main pattern, and it usually comes with a wider electrical failure.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

7 complaints

Most reported in 2023, 2024

2023: Front crash sensors disable themselves, triggering intermittent warnings that collision alerts are off or a crash is imminent, sometimes several times in one trip.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

6 complaints

Most reported in 2023, 2024

2023: Driver-assist sensors malfunction in ways that create real safety risk, including a crash.

Best Dodge Hornet Year to Buy Instead

59
MixedReliability score: 59 out of 100, rated Mixed

2023 Dodge Hornet

The 2023 has had the longest time on the road and still shows fewer recalls than the 2024, four against seven, and well under half its complaints. The 2024 also adds three fire reports. The 2025 looks clean mostly because it is too new to have collected filings.

Score: 59/100 (Mixed)4 recalls25 complaints
View full 2023reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2023 Dodge Hornet has 4 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Dodge Hornet Years by Generation

Dodge Hornet Reliability Scores by Year

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Dodge Hornet years should I avoid?
None is clearly worse than the model's own average. The 2024 is the weakest on paper, with the most recalls, the most complaints, and three fire reports. The 2023 is the safer buy, and the 2025 is too new to judge.
Is the 2024 Dodge Hornet worse than the 2023?
On the record so far, yes. The 2024 has seven recalls against four and 60 complaints against 25. Its complaint rate per vehicle sold is only slightly higher, but it adds service brake and steering complaints plus three fire reports.
Is the 2025 Dodge Hornet the most reliable year?
Do not treat it that way. The 2025 shows only one complaint and two recalls, but it is the newest year and has had little time to collect filings. Its clean record is mostly a lack of history, not proof of better reliability.
Which Dodge Hornet year has fire reports?
The 2024 is the only year with fire reports in the data, three in total. Across all years, owners describe one fire involving all four brakes after a gentle highway stop and another electrical fire while a car sat in the shop.
Which Dodge Hornet year should I buy used?
Choose the 2023. It has the longest track record and fewer recalls and complaints than the 2024. Still check that all recall repairs are complete, and test the door latches, rear camera, and driver-assist features before you buy.

How we score every Dodge Hornet model year

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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