MODEL
Dodge Hornet Safety
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. 15 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.
The 2023-2025 Dodge Hornet enters the market without federal crash-test ratings, a significant omission that prevents a direct safety comparison against most competitors. This absence means no star ratings or Safety Index scores are available for evaluation. More pressing are the twelve recalls issued across these three model years. This is a high number for a new vehicle platform. Two of these recalls carry "park outside" or "do not drive" warnings, the most severe classifications NHTSA assigns. Such directives indicate defects serious enough to prompt federal regulators to advise against normal vehicle operation until repairs are completed. NHTSA has recorded 87 owner complaints for the Hornet across the 2023-2025 model years. Within these complaints, four allegations of crashes and four allegations of fires have been noted. While these allegations remain unverified by NHTSA, the fire-related complaints on a new platform warrant attention. The Hornet's safety profile is incomplete and concerning.
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 7 recalls.