Your vehicle report
2012 Dodge Dart
The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.
Your vehicle at a glance
Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.
- Owner complaints
- 1,081
- Received Jul 2012 to Apr 2024
Owner reports
Most reported problems
- 1Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips64 complaints · 5.9% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 2Manual clutch wears out or fails early52 complaints · 4.8% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 3Steering wheel seizes or locks suddenly45 complaints · 4.2% of this vehicle’s complaints
Official NHTSA records
Recalls to check
- Recall #19V293000Chrysler (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.
- Recall #15V800000Chrysler 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.
BrakeNews signals
Flagged complaint patterns
Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.
No problems currently meet BrakeNews’s flagging criteria. This is not a safety rating.
How flags are identifiedComplaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 63 crashes, 14 fires, 36 people injured, 2 deaths.
Explore by system
Where do owners report problems?
Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.
Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.
Showing all 20 listed problems by system.
Engine & powertrain
Brakes
Electrical & lights
- Jeep Cherokee stalls while driving
- Vehicle catches fire from wiring
- Infotainment screen ghost-touches and changes on its own
1 more problem
Airbags, belts & seats
Steering, suspension & tires
Body, doors & glass
Driver assistance
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Other
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Complaint history
When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.
Show as a table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 60 |
| 2014 | 115 |
| 2015 | 185 |
| 2016 | 273 |
| 2017 | 116 |
| 2018 | 113 |
| 2019 | 203 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 (to Oct 2026) | 0 |
| Total | 1,081 |
Problems owners report
Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.
| Problem | Complaints | Share | Share ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips | 64 | 5.9% | – | NHTSA recall #15V542000 |
| Manual clutch wears out or fails early | 52 | 4.8% | – | |
| Steering wheel seizes or locks suddenly | 45 | 4.2% | – | |
| Jeep Cherokee stalls while driving | 37 | 3.4% | – | |
| Unintended acceleration despite braking | 34 | 3.1% | – | |
| Transmission will not engage reverse gear | 30 | 2.8% | – | NHTSA recall #19V293000 |
| Airbags fail to deploy in crashes | 29 | 2.7% | – | NHTSA recall #13V555000 |
| Transmission fails or loses power while driving | 28 | 2.6% | – | |
| Brake booster fails, leaving stiff pedal | 27 | 2.5% | – | NHTSA recall #15V800000 |
| Airbag warning light stays on | 24 | 2.2% | – | |
| Windshield wipers work intermittently or fail | 21 | 1.9% | – | |
| Ford Focus transmission clutch slips and hesitates | 21 | 1.9% | – | |
| Gear shifter fails to register Park | 21 | 1.9% | – | NHTSA recall #19V293000 |
| Tires blow out or tread separates | 20 | 1.8% | – | |
| Vehicle catches fire from wiring | 18 | 1.7% | – | |
| Brake pedal sinks due to leaking lines | 18 | 1.7% | – | |
| Check engine light comes on repeatedly | 16 | 1.5% | – | |
| Engine suddenly shuts off while driving | 16 | 1.5% | – | |
| Infotainment screen ghost-touches and changes on its own | 14 | 1.3% | – | |
| Engine won't start or cranks intermittently | 14 | 1.3% | – |
AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.
Recalls
NHTSA recall #19V293000April 11, 2019298,439 vehicles affected
power train: automatic transmission; power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA recall #15V800000November 25, 2015105,425 vehicles affected
service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA recall #15V542000August 25, 201523,564 vehicles affected
power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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.
If the transmission shifts into neutral, it can cause loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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.
NHTSA recall #13V555000November 6, 2013374 vehicles affected
air bags: side/window
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.
In the event of a crash necessitating SAB deployment, the SABs may fail to deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
NHTSA recall #13V238000June 4, 201312,872 vehicles affected
power train
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.
If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA recall #13V124000April 3, 201346 vehicles affected
parking brake
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.
If the parking brake is inoperable, the vehicle could roll when parked increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Other model years
About this data
NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2012 Dodge Dart.
Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.
Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN