The 2025 Dodge Hornet is essentially a rebadged Alfa Romeo Tonale on the STLA Medium platform, inheriting Stellantis PHEV and turbo-four tech with Italian-European engineering quirks. Too new for widespread long-term data, but early patterns mirror Tonale issues and typical Stellantis transmission/electronics gremlins.
Dual-Clutch Transmission Mount Failure (PHEV and 2.0T)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 20,000-50,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking or banging on acceleration or deceleration, Excessive vibration at idle in drive, Harsh shifts between 1st and 2nd gear
Fix: Replace transmission mount assembly, often requires lifting powertrain slightly. 2.5-3.5 hours labor. PHEV variant more complex due to hybrid battery positioning.
Estimated cost: $450-850
PHEV Charging System and Battery Management Faults
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: Check engine light with hybrid system warnings, Refusal to charge or charge interruption, Reduced electric-only range (drops from 32 miles to under 15), High-voltage battery cooling fan runs constantly
Fix: Often software-related requiring dealer flashes, but actual failures involve battery management unit replacement or coolant loop servicing. Diagnosis alone takes 1.5-2 hours; hardware fixes can take 6-8 hours due to battery pack access.
Estimated cost: $800-3,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Leaks
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 30,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid pooling under vehicle (pink/red fluid), Delayed or harsh shifting when cold, Transmission overheating warning on dash, Milky transmission fluid indicating coolant cross-contamination
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler and lines, flush transmission and cooling system if contaminated. 3-4 hours labor. Critical repair—cross-contamination destroys transmission quickly.
Estimated cost: $900-1,600
Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Actuator Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with P0010, P0011, P0020, P0021 codes, Rough idle and poor cold-start performance, Rattling noise from front of engine on startup, Reduced fuel economy and sluggish throttle response
Symptoms: Oil smell from engine bay, especially after highway runs, Visible oil seepage around valve cover perimeter, Low oil level between changes, Oil on spark plug tubes causing misfires
Fix: Replace valve cover gasket, spark plug tube seals, and PCV valve assembly. 2.5-3 hours labor on 2.0T; PHEV slightly more complex.
Estimated cost: $500-850
Transmission Range Sensor and Shift Linkage Issues
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 25,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: Gear display flashing or incorrect on dash, Vehicle won't start in Park (must wiggle shifter), Limp mode activation with no reverse or specific gear, Intermittent check engine light with P0705, P0706 codes
Fix: Replace transmission range sensor or adjust/replace shift linkage. 1.5-2 hours labor. Sensor replacement requires transmission fluid drop and pan access.
Estimated cost: $350-650
Owner tips
PHEV models: charge regularly even if daily driving is short—battery health degrades faster when left discharged for extended periods
Use 0W-20 synthetic and keep oil change intervals strict at 5,000 miles—VVT actuators are oil-quality sensitive
Check transmission fluid color every 30,000 miles; any pink turning brown or milky requires immediate attention to prevent cooler cross-contamination damage
Keep software updated at dealer—many early PHEV glitches resolved via TSB flashes
Wait another 2-3 years for real-world reliability data to mature—too new with Stellantis hybrid complexity and Alfa Romeo DNA makes this a gamble for used buyers without warranty coverage.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: AGM battery required for start-stop system; European platform shared with Alfa Romeo Tonale
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Every control module on the 2023-2026 Dodge Hornet — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
⚠️ Ultrasonic parking sensors. Calibration typically automatic after installation.
Rear View Camera Module (RVCM)0.5 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.2 hr▸ programming details
📍 Integrated in rear liftgate handle or bumper area
🔧 Autel MaxiSys or Launch X431
⚠️ Camera alignment/calibration may be required. Typically plug-and-play.
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 25V246000
2025-05-13
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale and Dodge Hornet vehicles. The display module may not show the rearview camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the software or replace the display as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning May 13, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are 13C and 38C.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES · 24V752000
2024-10-09
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale vehicles. The brake pedal may collapse and cause a loss of brake function.
Consequence: A loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reinforce the brake pedal arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2024. Owners may contact FCA Customer Service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is B7B.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2025 Dodge Hornet 2.0L I4 Turbo and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.