Heated Seats and Heated Wheel Turn Off Or Become Disabled Customers may comment on the following: ● Customer may comment that their Heated Seats and Heated Steering Wheel will turn off or become disabled (button grayed out on display screen) while driving the vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2023 Dodge Hornet electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2023 Dodge Hornet have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2023 Hornet (this page) | 10 |
| 2024 Hornet | 17 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Content Missing Or Screen Blank Customers may experience the following: ● IPC content missing, display abnormal or screen blank
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Content Missing Or Screen Blank Customers may experience the following: ● IPC content missing, display abnormal or screen blank
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The following software enhancement is available: ● This software update enables the feature Active Cabin Ventilation (ACV). This bulletin provides information regarding the latest Firmware Over The Air (FOTA) update and provides the service technician an overview of the steps a customer will need to take to complete the update. The TBM software will be updated from 5.49.0, 5.53.0 or 5.43 to 5.53 software level. NOTE: National launch for this FOTA update is expected to begin: April 14, 2025.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Harman R1H Uconnect 5 Radio Software Flash Error Codes
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2023 Hornet's electrical gremlins fall into three dangerous buckets. First, core power delivery fails: the battery drains during normal inactivity, and at least twice the vehicle has lost all electrical power mid-drive, going dead and requiring a jump-start. When it comes back online, the infotainment system won't restart—no camera, radio, heat controls, or displays work until another service visit.
Second, the door-locking system is unreliable. Multiple owners report driver and passenger doors that won't latch or lock electronically or manually; one owner had to hold the door shut while driving home. Door latches have been replaced at least four times on a single vehicle, with warranty repairs each time, yet the problem migrates to other doors. Cold weather makes it worse. No scanner codes flag the issue, even as the doors unlock while alarms are armed.
Third, the safety-critical systems—adaptive cruise, highway assist, and collision detection—fail intermittently. Drivers report the camera repeatedly signals "blocked" on clear highways, disabling cruise every 5–10 minutes with a "service required" warning. Dealers acknowledge this is widespread with "no solution yet." One owner also reported forward-collision warnings firing without cause and headlights aiming too high.
Same Dodge Hornet electrical reports on nearby years: 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Center Infotainment Screen Failure
Touchscreen intermittently shuts off or freezes while driving without warning, disrupting Apple CarPlay, backup camera feed, navigation, and system alerts.
When: Intermittent across 2 years of ownership; continues despite multiple dealership visits and system updates
Symptoms owners cite: Screen goes black or freezes mid-drive; Apple CarPlay disconnects unpredictably; Backup camera feed lost; Navigation unavailable; System alerts not displayed
Repairs/costs cited: Safety recall issued (center screen and camera system); required part on back order since October, repair incomplete as of December
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued; dealership advised system update might help CarPlay but could not complete recall due to parts shortage
Electronic Door Lock and Latch Failure
Driver and passenger doors fail to latch or lock properly. Door latch assembly replaced multiple times (driver twice, rear driver once, passenger rear scheduled); passenger front showing pre-failure noise. Doors unlock unexpectedly while alarm armed or fail to open in emergency.
When: Multiple failures within first 2 years; independent of cold weather
Symptoms owners cite: Door will not latch closed from interior or exterior; Unable to open door from either side; Doors unlock while alarm armed; Alarm triggers from exterior when doors unsecured; Audible noise precedes failure
Repairs/costs cited: Door latch replaced twice on driver door, once on rear driver side, scheduled for passenger rear; cable also replaced on latch assembly; all completed under warranty; no warning codes detected
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty repairs completed at dealership; no TSB or recall issued
Complete Electrical System Shutdown
Vehicle loses all electrical power and will not restart, displaying 'driver mode not available' and multiple system failures. Battery drains completely, requiring jump-start to restore power.
When: Occurred twice: June 14 at 13,080 miles and July 17 at approximately 14,300 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Total loss of power; engine will not start; Driver mode unavailable message; Multiple system malfunctions displayed; Battery drained completely; Parking brake engaged without activation
Parasitic Battery Drain
Electrical system drains battery during periods of inactivity (daily non-use), requiring frequent jump-starts and leaving owner unable to use vehicle.
When: Occurs when vehicle not driven daily
Symptoms owners cite: Battery completely discharged after days without driving; Repeated need for jump-starting; Multiple owners report same issue
Information Display Malfunction Post-Electrical Event
After jump-start from battery drain, infotainment and instrument cluster stops functioning. Loss of camera, radio, climate control display, and other screen outputs.
When: Follows complete battery drain event
Symptoms owners cite: Information screen black or non-responsive; Backup camera unavailable; Radio inoperative; Climate control display off; Other display functions lost
Adaptive Cruise Control Malfunction
Highway assist and adaptive cruise control disable intermittently during operation, showing 'ACC temporarily blocked, service required' or 'Additional Service Required' warnings. Features work only briefly before disabling.
When: During highway operation; occurs every 5-10 minutes for some owners
Symptoms owners cite: ACC disables mid-operation; Highway assist drops out repeatedly; Service required warning displayed; Cruise control deactivates without driver input; Camera blocked message appears
Codes mentioned: ACC temporarily blocked, service required, Additional Service required, Camera blocked
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers report this is a known issue with no solution yet; multiple dealers confirm widespread problem
Adaptive Cruise Control Camera Issue
Forward-facing camera for adaptive cruise control and collision warning functions fails intermittently or returns false obstruction readings, disabling safety features.
When: Intermittent; occurs during normal highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Camera blocked message during highway assist operation; Adaptive cruise will not maintain operation; Camera obstruction reported when clear; Forward collision indicators triggered without obstruction
Codes mentioned: Camera blocked, Forward collision warning triggered
Repairs/costs cited: Brought to dealer twice in same month; technicians unable to diagnose root cause
Headlight Aim Defect
Headlights do not project in correct direction, reducing forward visibility and creating potential collision hazard at night.
Symptoms owners cite: Improper headlight beam direction; Reduced forward visibility; Safety concern for nighttime driving
Persistent Dashboard Warning Lights
Multiple system error lights illuminate on instrument cluster frequently with no actual faults present, creating alarm fatigue and masking real issues.
When: Intermittent; lights appear unpredictably
Symptoms owners cite: All system error lights come on without cause; Warning lights cycle on and off; No actual faults present when scanned
Driver's Door Latch Cold-Weather Failure
Driver's door fails to latch during cold weather, preventing secure closure. Requires manual force and repeated electronic lock/unlock cycles to achieve closure.
When: Cold weather conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Door will not latch when closed; Requires 30+ manual attempts to secure; Must hold door shut while driving
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
I took my Dodge Hornet to the dealership on October 1st for ongoing Apple CarPlay issues and the safety recall involving the center screen and camera system. I explained that the screen had been failing intermittently while driving, shutting off or freezing without warning, and that CarPlay had continued to malfunction despite bringing the vehicle in for this issue more than three separate times…
I'm driving and the Forward Collision indicators come on. I've taken it twice in the same month and they can't find the problem.
Vehicle loses all power and will not restart Displays driver mode not available Displays numerous systems not working and drains battery. This has happens two times The first was June 14th mileage 13080, second July 17th mileage 14300 (Estimate). On June 22nd thru 24th after starting vehicle parking brake was on without being activated. Vehicle is a safety issue
I brought this Vehicle from Carvana but it has a recall and I see there are no available parts. This is major issue for the vehicle; would like some assistance on how to receive the parts as soon as possible to get it fixed.
Adaptive cruise control does not work usually gives warning signals when it does activate only goes for a short time then says camera is blocked and other issues. Brought into dealer they said that it is a known issue that Benny people are having and there is no solution yet.
I am having continual failures of the electronic door lock/linkage that causes the door to no open from either the interior or exterior of the vehicle. The door latch has been replaced twice on the driver door, once on the rear driver side, the passenger rear is going to be replaced this week, and the passenger front is starting to make a similar noise that the others have made before failing. In…
Drivers door would not latch or lock. Tried 30 different ways to get the door to latch closed by electronically and manually locking and unlocking the door plus opening and closing it. Had to drive home holding the door shut. Issue appears to be cold weather related.
Had electrical trouble with your 2023 Dodge Hornet?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2023 Dodge Hornet?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2023/Dodge/Hornet.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.