MODEL
Dodge Hornet
NHTSA safety across every Dodge Hornet model year we cover.
Across the 3 model years of the Dodge Hornet we cover (2023 to 2025), no year has an NHTSA crash-test score on record. 12 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Dodge Hornet is a compact crossover SUV that slots into one of the most competitive segments in the American market. Positioned as Dodge's entry point for buyers who want the brand's performance-forward attitude in a more practical, everyday package, the Hornet targets younger drivers and urban commuters drawn to its aggressive styling and relatively accessible price point.
From a pure safety-data standpoint, the Dodge Hornet presents a picture that should give shoppers genuine pause. Across the 2023 to 2025 model years we cover, NHTSA has not conducted crash testing on the Hornet, meaning there are no star ratings or Safety Index scores to reference. That is a significant gap. Without federal crash-test results, buyers cannot benchmark this vehicle against rivals the way they can with most mainstream competitors. The recall count is the more pressing concern. Twelve recalls across three model years is a high number for a relatively new nameplate, and critically, two of those campaigns carry park-outside or do-not-drive designations, the most serious tier NHTSA assigns. Those directives signal that federal regulators considered the underlying defects serious enough to warn owners against normal use until repairs are completed. Owner complaints total 87 across the covered years, a modest raw number, but within that pool NHTSA has logged four crash allegations and four fire allegations. These are unverified by NHTSA and do not establish fault, but fire-related complaints on a young platform deserve attention. The honest bottom line: the Hornet is an intriguing compact crossover, but its safety record through 2025 is genuinely incomplete and somewhat troubled. Shoppers should verify their specific VIN is clear of open recalls before purchasing, and should watch for NHTSA crash-test results if and when they arrive.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally find the Hornet a compelling visual and conceptual entry in the compact crossover space, praising its distinctive styling and spirited driving character relative to segment norms. However, professional assessments frequently note that interior materials and overall refinement lag behind class leaders, and some reviewers flag that the driving experience, while engaging, does not fully compensate for those shortcomings in everyday comfort.
- The Hornet has not been crash-tested by NHTSA across any of the 2023 to 2025 model years we cover, so there are no star ratings available to compare against competitors.
- Twelve recalls in three model years is a high recall burden for a new model, and two of those campaigns carried park-outside or do-not-drive warnings, the most severe level of NHTSA recall urgency.
- Owner complaints include four fire-related allegations across the covered model years. These are unverified by NHTSA but warrant attention given the Hornet's short time on the market.
- Before buying any used or new Hornet, run the VIN through NHTSA's recall database to confirm all open recall repairs have been completed, particularly those tied to the do-not-drive campaigns.
Most-recalled year on record: 2024 Dodge Hornet with 6 recalls.