Dodge›Neon›2004›2.4L H.O./dodge/neon/2004/2-4l-h-o/

PL platform

2004 Dodge Neon — 2.4L H.O.

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Neon 2.4L H.O..

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.4L H.O.Transmission Manual 5-spd

The 2004 Dodge Neon 2.4L H.O. is a passenger car built on the PL platform, featuring a 2.4L H.O. engine that calls for 5 qt of 5W‑30 API oil with filter. It is paired with a manual five‑speed transmission and carries EPA fuel‑economy ratings of 19/28/22 mpg. In the Neon’s 1993‑2005 complaint timeline, the 2004 model logged 94 owner complaints—primarily in the Power Train area and accompanied by five recalls—placing it well below the 1995 peak of 1,196 complaints but above the 1993 low of three, reflecting a mid‑range reliability standing for the nameplate.

Model year2004 2003

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy19/28/22 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 Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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

Tire sizeP195-50VR16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6 inOEM · 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
Battery	BB26R001AA
Front wiper blades	05014794AA discontinued · alt 05014795AA
Serpentine belt	04668241AE alt 04668380AF
Thermostat	P5278144AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Manual 5-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	19 / 28 / 22 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	90 cu ft
Cargo volume	13 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0-21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4. 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-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5 qt w/ filter
Manual Transmission Fluid	ATF +4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity	5.0-6.0

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	M6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 21 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	100 Turbo ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	70 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0-21.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	20 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	1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	600-1300 rpm
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	8500-11,500 ohms
Spark Plug Gap	0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque	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 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	12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure	25-80 psi

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle	16 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	16 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	100 ft-lbs / 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

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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

20 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

20 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

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 every 60,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 60,000 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)
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	Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
At 102,000 mi	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 2004 Dodge Neon recorded 94 federal complaints, five recalls and zero investigations, with 36 technical service bulletins issued. Compared with the preceding 2003 model year (202 complaints, three investigations, 48 TSBs) and the following 2005 model year (95 complaints, four recalls, 37 TSBs), the 2004 figures are at the low end of the complaint trajectory that began with a peak in 1995 and has been declining steadily. The top complaint categories — Power Train (11), Air Bags (9), and Engine & Engine Cooling (9) — account for the majority of the reported issues for that year. Crash‑related complaints numbered 19 and fire‑related complaints numbered three, both modest relative to earlier peaks. Consequently, the 2004 model falls within the lower‑risk segment of the Neon’s generational record and can be considered a reasonable used‑car purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

19 involved a crash · 3 a fire

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 94 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train11

Air Bags9

Engine & Engine Cooling9

Engine & Engine Cooling,Power Train6

Vehicle Speed Control5

Electrical System5

Air Bags,Seat Belts4

Structure4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 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…

08E050000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 36 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
S2208000136	2022-07-09	Electrical System	Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module…
S2208000136	2022-07-09	Electrical System	Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module…
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 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 2004 Neon 2.4L H.O. take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 Neon have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.4L H.O. get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined mpg.