Dodge Dart years to avoid (and the best years)
2,318 NHTSA owner complaints and 11 recalls across 5 model years, 2012 to 2016. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 2,318complaints
- 11recalls
- 131reported crashes
- 32reported fires
- 85reported injuries
- 2reported deaths
Which Dodge Dart years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Dodge Dart year to avoid is 2012. The typical Dodge Dart year has 370 complaints on file.
- 2012: 1,081 complaints, 2.9 times the typical year. Most complaints name the transmission and drivetrain (42% of complaints) and the brakes (26% of complaints).
What are the best Dodge Dart years?
The Dodge Dart years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2013 (87), 2016 (257) and 2014 (370). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 257 | 0.7× | 5 | 14 | 9 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2015 | 523 | 1.4× | 6 | 32 | 23 | Some concerns to check | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2014 | 370 | 1.0× | 4 | 20 | 17 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2013 | 87 | 0.2× | 1 | 2 | 0 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2012 | 1,081 | 2.9× | 6 | 63 | 36 | Approach with caution | Transmission and drivetrain |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 9 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Other systems9 (100%)
Recalls (11)
Transmission · 25V674000 · Oct 2025 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
A loss of park function may allow the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 19V293000 · Apr 2019 · model years 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016
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.
Safety · 17V824000 · Dec 2017 · model years 2015, 2016
If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Body & glass · 16V813000 · Nov 2016 · model year 2016
Without functioning windshield wipers, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 16V113000 · Feb 2016 · model years 2015, 2016
Without a backup layer of software, the control module may fail to prevent an un-commanded torque event, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 15V800000 · Nov 2015 · model years 2012, 2014
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.
Transmission · 15V542000 · Aug 2015 · model years 2012, 2014, 2015
If the transmission shifts into neutral, it can cause loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Tires · 14V800000 · Dec 2014 · model year 2015
A malfunctioning TPMS light will not notify an owner of an improperly inflated tire. An improperly inflated tire may experience a complete loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Airbags · 13V555000 · Nov 2013 · model year 2012
In the event of a crash necessitating SAB deployment, the SABs may fail to deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Transmission · 13V238000 · Jun 2013 · model year 2012
If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 13V124000 · Apr 2013 · model year 2012
If the parking brake is inoperable, the vehicle could roll when parked increasing the risk of a crash.