2012 Dodge Dart: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 1,081 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (37% of complaints); the 2013 and 2014 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 1,081 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Visibility · Jul 2023
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2023
“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 report · Power Train · Oct 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2022
“The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to three independent mechanics who diagnosed that the transmission shifter cable bushing had detached from the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had previously been serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V293000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2022
“The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended it rolled down the driveway into the neighbor's property and crashed into a tree. There were no reported injuries, fire or police report filed. The vehicle is at the contact's residents. The contact called the local dealer who informed her about NHTSA Campaign number 19V293000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 145,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2021
“The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate and loss motive power with the accelerator pedal depressed. The vehicle is not drivable. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the manufacturer nor dealer was notified of the failure. The contact mentioned NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V542000 (Power Train), 13V238000 (Power Train) as possible solutions to the failure however, the Vin was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 77,286.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 dodge dart. While operating the vehicle, a helicopter type noise was present coming from the steering column and the ABS and traction control indicators remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 dodge dart. While driving 15 mph, the vehicle stalled and the gear unavailable warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to courtesy chrysler jeep (2225 lincoln hwy e, coatesville, pa 19320, (610) 384-7800) where it was diagnosed that the transmission pump assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2019
“I was driving my brother to work tonight 10/22/19 at 11:50pm. I pushed the clutch pedal in to down shift because we saw a deer in front of us and it came back out. Then as soon as it came out it slowly got sucked to the floor. It is still stuck to the floor. I can pull it back but as soon I push o. It it just gets sucked back to the floor. I tried uploading a picture but it wouldn't allow me to.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 63 of these complaints and injuries in 36 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Dart by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Dodge Dart reliable?
NHTSA has 1,081 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Dodge Dart. The most complained-about area is power train (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Dart problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 45,000 miles or less.
Does the 2012 Dodge Dart have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.