Comments on: Is The Dodge Magnum A Lemon?

By: Big Wil

Big Wil — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 04:36:49 +0000

Well… I’ll start by saying, I love to hate my Magnum?

62,000 miles and 2 transmissions, 3 planetary assembly rebuilds, delaminating paint, cheap cracked leather, new brakes, leaky sunroof, collapsed strut supports, and the list goes on.

But damn is this car still a blast to drive!!!

Mine, and proud of the p.o.s. is a 2006 Magnum R/T AWD and after 48000 and the first tranny… I learned I was stuck with her. She’s not worth what I owe (thanks for the BK Chrysler… you could have waited after I bought an SRT to go for broke)… anyway, she now has an intake, exhaust, mopar tuned ecu and tcm, Eibach lowering springs, 20″ MHT wheels, custom dvd and audio… a blast to drive.

Yeah, it took me spending money to make it mine, but I love it again.

Simple truth… just buy an aftermarket warranty. Don’t finance one, just pay the $1500 out of pocket. Without it, I’d be about $12000 in the hole on repairs. Go National Warranty!!!

By: Sammy

Sammy — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:28:27 +0000

I’ve got a 2006 Magnum SE. When turning on the AC, I hear this extremely loud clicking sound coming from behind the dash. Not so bad in winter, but when the summer kicks in, it is absolutely unbearable. Has anyone else had this problem? Is this an easy fix? I did mention it at the dealer once, and they said that they’d basically have to disassemble my entire dash to fix the problem, costing about $2k. At this point, I’m willing to drive it as is until I can trade it on for something safe and Japanese. Thanks.

By: MIkeSG

MIkeSG — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:45:23 +0000

The window problem is strange but there was probably an impact or something. 2006 to now is unlikely to be defect. Of course the insurance company does not want pay- anything to deny a claim. It is their job to prove its a defect- they can discuss it with the dealer.

By: gloria

gloria — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:56:15 +0000

Ok here’s one I haven’t seen- this am I went into my garage to find the rear window on my 2006 magnum falling apart into little pieces around the edges of the window with NO other visable defects on window itself. NO cracks-nothing parked it in the garage as always and the window is just falling apart piece by piece(looks completely shattered). My insurance says they have NEVER seen a window do this and state it is clearly some sort of defect. And as you might expect, the dealer won’t do anything about it. Haven’t been able to even move it today because it is also popping outward(not inward)and still making crackling noises this afternoon(more pieces have come off while I was at work)

By: Big Dad

Big Dad — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:11:40 +0000

My 2005 Magnum 3.5 is a Great Car…Yeh I’ve had a few minor problems, but for the most part, this Baby Rocks…I did Tie Rods, Tires replaced 3 times, a Lifter replaced and the car is a daily driver with 159,000. get this, I have never had to replace the brakes as of yet…..Unreal, but I have them checked every 5000 miles…Don’t know what I am doing but it’s working….This car has the looks, the performamce and is still getting about 24mpg…..Hope I’m the licky one………..

By: Ken

Ken — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:37:16 +0000

I have 197000 on my 2005 Magnum and it is still running strong. Replaced the front tie rods twice. Replaced tires and brakes. Getting the radiator fan fix today. Replaced the rear end differential. I would still get another one. Like I said 197000 and still running strong. Never had a tune up. Thanks Mobile One.

Ken.

By: marianne

marianne — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:22:47 +0000

have a 2005 Magnum R/T with 50,000 miles so far I have had the following replaced:
4 sets of front rotors 1 set barke pads
1 set rear rotor and pads
water pump
tie rods inner and outer
lower control arms and bushings
I am on my third set of tires all the way around
both remote keys are broken
Needless to say I am very disappointed in this car, I can remember being over joyed when it was delived now I wish someone would take it and my mega reapair bills of my hands. Dodge should be ashamed…..
Marianne

By: Potts-C

Potts-C — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:30:06 +0000

I am on my 2nd Magnum RT. First was a 2005… loved it.
2nd is a 2006 also love the car. Only complaint that I have is vibration in driveline. Suspect the poor design in the driveshaft. Have had driveshaft replaced. Dealer admits it has vibration but can not pin point. Why I suspect the driveshaft, is the weird 2 piece design. From the transmission you have a rubber companion flange. Then the driveshaft bolts to that rubber flang… moving towards the rear, the driveshaft tube accepts the 2nd part of the driveshaft with a spline… then a hanger bearing, then a u-joint… finally the end of the driveshaft bolts to another rubber flange, which is then bolted to the diff. Alot of junk in between, while rotating that can be causing a vibration. I have put on 40,000kms, 3 sets of rims, 2 set of tires (1set of tires tried on 2 sets of rims) rotors recut, and 3 tie rods replaced to tighten the front will now be having the 2 piece driveshaft pulled, and build a 1 piece driveshaft to see if i can make this vibe go away. Figure if we eliminate all the possible loose things… like the rubber flange, hannger bearing, spline shaft… out, this will work. Have done a custome shaft on another vehihcle similar problem, and it worked out great. Just because an engineer designed something, doesn’t always mean it works well. Theory on paper is great, along with all the formula’s, etc, but once put out in the real world… some of the designs can be found not to work as well as once thought.

By: Jim Smits

Jim Smits — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:09:25 +0000

I have owned my 2006 SXT 3.5 for 2 1/2 years. I bought it used from some crooks named Rairdon’s Dodge (another story). Let it be known that I have always been an avid Mopar fan, and have owned many, both classics and new. I do all my own routine maintenance. Here is the issues I have had with this car.
1. Airbag light comes on intermittently with no one present in the passenger seat after. Dealer has no idea why, so I live with it.
2. At 22,000 miles I was hearing a signifigant “knock” in the engine. Since it was still under warranty I took it in. The problem was a roll pin that backed out of the rocker shaft, causing lack of oil to the arms. Fixed.
3. Lately, I have been noticing a knock over bumps and what seems like pulsating brakes. Well I was doing the oil change and grabbed the wheel while on jacks…sure enough…tie rod ends. They are available($100), and seem to be easy to change for an experienced mechanic. It just seems like premature failure, due to only 57,000 miles on the car.
In conclusion, my Magnum has great lines, decent performance. The fit and finish is substandard, as well as the overall reliability. I am looking to trade it in on a new Dodge Ram.

By: Don

Don — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:54:52 +0000

Seeking advice – My ‘05 AWD Mags had shown some tranny problems last year (under warranty) and the dealer told me it would not be the ATF level as the system is sealed. He didnt seem to offer any solutions unless the problem got worse. Now, just past warranty, the tranny is out. I cant try to use my car when it is freezing cold out and hope it doesnt stall. I was lucky to get home the other day at 30mph (sometimes 0). Any advice as to luck getting repairs done under warranty now, what should i be asking the dealer, or should i just go to the trusted Ma and Pa shop for repair? Thank in advance….Don