The 2012 Dodge Dart has 6 safety recalls and 1,081 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (455 complaints).
Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints1,081filed by owners
Crashes · fires63 · 14reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths36 · 2reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Dodge Dart vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions. The shifter cable bushing may fail allowing the shift cable to detach from the transmission.
Risk: If the shifter cable detaches from the transmission, the vehicle may not perform the shifts performed by the driver. Additionally, despite selecting PARK with the shifter, the vehicle may roll away. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: This recall will be replaced by NHTSA recall number 25V674. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission side shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 5, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V34.
Components: Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift; Power train › Automatic transmission
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
NHTSA recall 15V800000 · Nov 25, 2015 · 105,425 vehicles
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured February 27, 2012 to January 23, 2014 and equipped with either a 2.0L or 2.4L engine. In affected vehicles, engine oil from the vacuum pump may seep into the brake booster, damaging a component within the brake booster.
Risk: Internal damage to brake booster could result in a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster grommet for the presence of oil. If no oil is found, the vacuum tube assembly will be replaced. If oil is found, the vacuum pump, vacuum tube assembly, brake booster and master cylinder will be replaced. The recall began on May 9, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R63.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
NHTSA recall 15V542000 · Aug 25, 2015 · 23,564 vehicles
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured February 24, 2012, to June 16, 2015. The affected vehicles may experience failure of the transmission control module (TCM), causing the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral.
Risk: If the transmission shifts into neutral, it can cause loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the TCM and bracket, free of charge. Chrysler issued an interim notification to owners on October 14, 2015. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R42.
Air bags › Side/window
NHTSA recall 13V555000 · Nov 6, 2013 · 374 vehicles
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured May 10, 2013, through August 24, 2013 and equipped with the Mopar 13 trim package. In the affected vehicles, the front seat mounted side airbags (SAB) may not have been properly installed into the seat.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating SAB deployment, the SABs may fail to deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the SAB installation and re-install them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N61.
Power train
NHTSA recall 13V238000 · Jun 4, 2013 · 12,872 vehicles
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured March 1, 2012, through February 28, 2013 and equipped with a 1.4L MultiAir turbo engine and dual dry clutch transmission. These vehicles may experience an engine stall when the temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit or colder.
Risk: If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N32.
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured on November 27, 2012. Some vehicles may have been built with incorrect rear brake calipers, which could result in an inoperable parking brake.
Risk: If the parking brake is inoperable, the vehicle could roll when parked increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began on April 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N21.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Power train Clutch assembly; Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
455
11
4
3
48,000 mi
Service brakes
252
26
3
9
36,000 mi
Electrical system Instrument cluster/panel; Ignition › Switch
176
3
7
3
38,000 mi
Engine
163
4
7
2
38,500 mi
Unknown or other
103
6
4
5
56,300 mi
Air bags Frontal
68
25
1
21
50,265 mi
Vehicle speed control
41
2
0
0
36,000 mi
Steering Linkages › Tie rod assembly; Electric power assist system
38
4
0
0
19,800 mi
Visibility/wiper
31
0
0
0
66,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)
29
1
1
1
60,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Master cylinder; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
27
3
0
0
34,500 mi
Wheels
25
2
0
0
15,000 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Apr 12, 2016 · 30,000 milesAir bags › Frontal The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that the passengerâs side air bag warning light was illuminated while driving. The contact stated that after the first failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure had continued intermittently over the years; however, the warning light had remained illuminated while driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
Mar 4, 2024 · 180,000 milesPower train The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a gasoline odor on the interior of the vehicle, after which several unknown warning lights on the instrument panel started flickering. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway to shut off the vehicle, after which the vehicle failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the alternator and the ignition switch. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic, who then diagnosed a failure with the…
Dec 1, 2023 · 117,000 milesPower train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shifted into neutral without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift into drive or reverse with a message stating that the gear was not available. The service transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local transmission and a diagnostic test was performed. The contact was informed that the dual clutch was inoperable. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that after further diagnostic testing, it was determined that the Transmission Control Module and actuator had failed. The contact stated that as…
Jul 29, 2023 · 97,945 milesVisibility › Windshield The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that the front windshield trim was missing and that the adhesive around the front windshield was cracking. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 97,945.
Jul 15, 2023 · 120,000 milesPower train The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and RPM's decreased briefly before returning to normal functionality. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a failure with the HVAC system. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure; however, the contact was advised that the infotainment unit might need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Sep 1, 2022 · 120,000 milesPower train The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the service transmission and check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Dec 2, 2022 · 90,000 milesService brakes The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated while driving approximately 40-50 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound. The contact stated that he had heard the cable brake and noticed while depressing the brake pedal that the vehicle was not decelerating. The contact stated that the flywheel had detached from the vehicle and the clutch was damaged. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake booster was leaking and that the brake cable linkage needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately…
Oct 26, 2022 · 172,000 milesPower train The contact's son owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while his son was pulling out of a parking lot, the RPM started fluctuating. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle surged. The transmission was slipping significantly while driving to his residence. The message "Service Transmission" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the failure was associated with an unknown transmission recall. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 172,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.