2012 Dodge Dart recalls and problems

The 2012 Dodge Dart has 6 recalls and 1,081 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is power train.

2012 Dodge Dart
Photo: 2012 Dodge Dart by qJake, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2012 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 5 Dart model years — the most of any year.

6recalls
1,081complaints
63crashes
14fires
36injuries
42,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
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6 recalls

Power Train

Apr 11, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V293000 · 298,439 vehicles

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.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Service Brakes

Nov 25, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V800000 · 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.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Power Train

Aug 25, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V542000 · 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.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Air Bags

Nov 6, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V555000 · 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.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Power Train

Jun 4, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V238000 · 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.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Parking Brake

Apr 3, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V124000 · 46 vehicles

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.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2012: 2 complaints20122013: 60 complaints20132014: 115 complaints20142015: 185 complaints20152016: 273 complaints20162732017: 116 complaints20172018: 113 complaints20182019: 203 complaints20192021: 5 complaints20212022: 2 complaints20222023: 4 complaints20232024: 3 complaints20243

2012 vs. other Dodge Dart years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2012. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2012 Dodge Dart have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns covering the 2012 Dodge Dart, the latest from Apr 11, 2019 (power train). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Dart?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention power train (454), service brakes (275), electrical system (175). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.