NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The shifter cable can disconnect from the transmission, stopping the vehicle from shifting into park and disabling the park function.
This page covers 11 recalls, 258 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Dodge Dart.
24–31 mpg combined
7.6–9.8 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 7 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Powertrain complaints dominate the 2013 Dodge Dart's complaint history by a wide margin, with transmission behavior being the most consistently reported issue. Owners frequently describe the transmission slipping, skipping gears, or suddenly refusing to engage forward or reverse. Jerking or lurching when pressing the accelerator comes up repeatedly, sometimes accompanied by a transmission warning light and sometimes with no warning at all. A number of owners report the vehicle shutting off or becoming immobile while driving, with the instrument display prompting a transmission service message. Engine and electrical system complaints are the next most reported areas, though at considerably lower volume, and their specific patterns are less consistent across the complaint set. The transmission concerns, by contrast, appear across a broad range of driving speeds and conditions, from city driving to highway speeds around 60–65 mph.
258
Total Complaints
6
Crash-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Dodge Dart has 11 recalls, the most serious being a cluster of transmission problems where a detaching shifter cable can prevent gear changes or allow the vehicle to roll away, and a separate transmission control module failure that can drop the car into neutral without warning.
All transmission concerns affect automatic-equipped models. The shifter cable can detach from the transmission, leaving the driver unable to select gears or engage park, and a car left without the parking brake applied can roll freely. The transmission control module can also fail on its own, cutting drive power while moving. Vehicles with the 1.4L turbocharged engine can stall in temperatures below about minus seven degrees Celsius, also causing sudden power loss.
On the brake side, wrong rear calipers may have been installed at the factory, leaving the parking brake unable to hold on a slope, and engine oil can seep into the brake booster and degrade its diaphragm, requiring much harder pedal force to stop. The brake booster issue only affects 2.0L and 2.4L engine variants. Vehicles fitted with the Mopar 13 upfit package have an additional concern: a front side airbag may not have been installed correctly and could fail to deploy in a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The shifter cable can disconnect from the transmission, stopping the vehicle from shifting into park and disabling the park function.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Chrysler will complete a repair to restore the shifter cable connection and park function. Instructions will be sent when the repair is ready.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The shifter cable can detach from the transmission, preventing gear changes when you move the shift lever. If the vehicle isn't in Park and the parking brake isn't applied, it could roll away.
What the fix does
FCA Canada will send you a written notice. The repair procedure is still being developed and will be provided when ready.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The shifter cable can detach from the transmission, preventing gear changes when you move the shifter. If you open the door while the car is not in Park and the parking brake is off, the car may roll.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the transmission-side shifter cable bushing with an improved part to secure the cable.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The shifter cable bushing on the transmission may wear out or fail, causing the shift cable to disconnect from the transmission.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the transmission-side shifter cable bushing at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Engine oil can seep from the vacuum pump into the brake booster, damaging the diaphragm over time. A failed diaphragm reduces brake assist, requiring harder pedal pressure and longer stopping distances.
What the fix does
Dealers will check the brake booster grommet for oil. If clean, the vacuum tube is replaced. If oil is present, the vacuum pump, tube, brake booster, and master cylinder are replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Engine oil from the vacuum pump may leak into the brake booster and damage an internal component.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the brake booster for oil. If clean, replace the vacuum tube. If oily, replace the vacuum pump, tube, booster, and master cylinder.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Transmission Control Module mounting bracket can cause solder joints to separate, breaking the electrical connection. This may cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift into Neutral, resulting in loss of power.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the Transmission Control Module and its mounting bracket.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission control module may fail, causing the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the transmission control module and bracket at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front side airbag may not have been installed correctly, which could prevent it from deploying properly during certain crashes.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the side airbag installation and remove and reinstall it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In very cold weather (below -6.5°C), the 1.4L MultiAir turbo engine may stall unexpectedly, causing loss of power while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module to prevent stalling in cold conditions.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Wrong rear brake calipers may have been installed during assembly. This can cause the parking brake system to fail, potentially allowing the vehicle to roll on slopes.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear brake calipers and replace them if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
