CarComplaints.com Notes: The first year of the new Dodge Dart had a rough start, with owners reporting a disproportionate number of engine and transmission problems.

For transmission, the main complaints are transmission failure & rough shifting. So far, average mileage for transmission failure is 25,000 miles. Not good.

For engine problems, it usually starts with the engine light coming on for any number of reasons: bad sensors, ignition coil replacement, bad wiring, faulty gas cap ... dealers are replacing various components with varying degrees of success, or telling owners they can't duplicate the issue.

7.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$200
Average Mileage:
39,550 miles
Total Complaints:
27 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (20 reports)
  2. replace engine (2 reports)
  3. replace cylinder lifter (1 reports)
  4. replace o2 sensor (1 reports)
  5. replace oil pressure sensor/switch (1 reports)
  6. replace tcm (transmission control module) (1 reports)
2013 Dodge Dart engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Dodge Dart Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

Sep 102014

Dart 2.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,137 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine light has been coming on since I bought the stupid lemon, the dealership has replaced every part that indirectly has anything to do with the engine light error codes. I have spent over 3,500 dollars to date and still have an engine light on.... The dodge dealership has had my car for almost 6 months and still not sure what the problem is, they think it might have something to do with the oil pump? this travesty has been going on for a few years, cant sell the lemon, Dodge Canada wont talk to me, dealership wants oil records before they will fix or look at it... I could go on and on, but I have to say, I'm about ready to throw in the towel

and except the fact Dodge screwed me and I am out of luck...

- ranz, Langley, BC, Canada

problem #26

Nov 102016

Dart LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

There have been several posts about the engine lights in these cars coming on and I feel that Dodge should back up their car and fix the issues. This car isn't that old and the mileage isn't high things shouldn't be going wrong in newer cars like this and if they do the company should be responsible!

- cynthialopez, Fremont, OH, US

problem #25

Nov 132016

Dart LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,300 miles

This is the second time my engine light has come on this week. The first time it came on I took it to the dealer and they said it was emissions code probably from the gas cap and they cleared the code. now a few days later the check engine light is on again. This is really annoying!! I think that dodge needs to repair these issues. They need to fix the bad parts that they install into these cars. For a car to be under 50,000 miles on it and have issues like this it is terrible! There is no way that people should have to put money into a vehicle that has been taken care of when it is this new.

- cynthialopez, Fremont, OH, US

problem #24

Nov 072016

Dart Limited 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I picked my car up from Dodge on Friday 11/08/16 after they changed the TCM for the 5th time, the check engine light came on, Tuesday Dodge called and said that there was vent that opens at high speed to cool the engine went bad, this is the third one dodge has replaced within 3 years. the TCM has been my worse nightmare

- Kevin N., Harrisonburg, VA, US

problem #23

May 152015

Dart Ralley 1.4L Turbo Multi Air

  • Manual transmission
  • 60,795 miles

I have brought this car in to brian bemis in dacalb sycamore ill with check engine light on. they said could not find problem somthing in vacuum system ? they said they have a call into chrysler about this problem and will notify me when they know. they just reset light and it has come on and gone off by itself since now back on .called brian bemis numerouse times for appt no answer. so i took it to dempsy in plano ill with clutch prob and engine light lit they told me the car needs new spark plugs every 30,000 mi a tune up fo 500 and some odd dollars each plug is 90.00 dollars each and thats why my check engine light is lit. i told them no i will change plugs myself i am a mechanic and have been for 40 years and believe bullshit when the car exceeds the gas mpg and starts and runs very good also no miss how can it need plugs .and why so short of plug life how come a spark plug cost 90.00 ea this car is ridiculious on maint far exceeding what i save in mpg. i would be better off driving my old chevy pick up to work by the way is 45 mi each way. all of this i didnt mention the numerous electrical problems gauges, wiring harness ect. when i complain about a problem every time at both dealers if didnt find problem or fix anything there was no charge and also no written proof of a problem i notified them of. i now am very sorry i bought this car it is too technically advanced in 4 years since came out and technitions do not know how to diagnose or fix. all problems cant be fixed just by plugging in computer.and when they take apart to fix somthing plastic parts break fall apart or loose and rattle. this car if i own it much longer will cost to much to repair i feel i rushed to soon to by a car wich by the way i love its styling and gas milage confort and handeling but it gona cost way to much to keep going

- peteball01, earlville, IL, US

problem #22

Oct 262015

Dart SE

  • Manual transmission
  • 47,000 miles

So I took my car in because the engine light was on I got it back and the next day the light came back on. I called the dealership and they said as long as the light isnt blinking then it was probably just a sensor. So today I turn the car off and take the key out and the car was still started. I then drove around the block with my keys in my hand the car never cut off. Now this is not the first time that I have had this happen when it first happened a couple of months ago I told the dealership and they said they have never heard of this and I couldn't replicate it but this time I took a video to show them.

- shavonr, Seattle, WA, US

problem #21

Nov 242015

Dart Rallye 1.4L Turbo

  • Manual transmission
  • 37,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This isn't the first time this issue has occurred, but it's the first time the dealership gave me an answer. After a few occurrences over the years of the car showing the check engine light (and performance decreasing - then the light turns off a few engine starts later), yesterday's visit to the dealership took the cake.

While driving to work in the morning, I heard a pop from the rear of the car, then three lights came on: check engine, electronic stability control, and electronic throttle control. I stopped the car, restarted it and only the check engine light remained on. I called the dealership and they said it'd be at least eight days before they could take a look at it. So I took it to a local big box car shop to have them read the code, but their code reader couldn't get a code from my car. I then drove it straight to the dealership and told them that while I understood they couldn't make any repairs today, I at least wanted an answer to what the engine code was.

A couple of hours later - I got my answer. My car was throwing almost every code in the book. The computer (or "one of them" as it was explained to me that there are multiple units in the car) is failing. But they can't repair it, because it's not completely failed and they're not sure what to fix.

- lindsaypa, Lancaster, PA, US

problem #20

Nov 062015

Dart Aero 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

The car started to shake real bad and turned off I had to get towed

- Thomas H., Bensalem Pa, US

problem #19

Oct 092015

Dart SXT 2.0L

  • CVT transmission
  • 38,800 miles

Oil pressure switch goes out as warranty expired. Dealers want to charge arm and leg.

- Hilario H., National City, CA, US

problem #18

Aug 282015

Dart 2.0L 14 Dohc

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,771 miles

Brought it in and told cylinder 3 is misfiring, runs fine when warmed up, swapped ignition coils, cleared codes, recommend customer monitor misfire...brought it back 3 days later....now they tell my the lifter is broke, they ordered part, supposed to call back next day at one...knowing Dodge, the story has just begun..............

- Christel P., Gunn, AB, Canada

problem #17

Jul 212015

Dart Limited 1.4L Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,676 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased this vehicle in February 2014 and engine light has come on about six times and is on NOW again. The dealer said its a module then said it was electronic. I had an appointment today at the dealer because the moon roof has been stuck in the vent position for about 8 days now. Well as I am sitting in my car on the Bluetooth rescheduling with the dealer, again the engine light comes on. REALLY!!.. I can't make this up.

- bsting, Marlton, NJ, US

problem #16

Jun 252015

Dart GT 2.4L Tigershark

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

ENGINE PROBLEM ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE!!! My car has been nothing but a disaster!!! I bought a 2013 Dodge Dart GT (2.4 Tiger shark engine) BRAND NEW. I replaced the oil(synthetic) and after 2,000 there was no oil left resulting in the engine stalling as I was driving. I took it to the dealer and learned that there was an issue on the assembly line causing all parts on my engine to now have oil in it. I now need a new engine!

- Gabriella R., Dover, NJ, US

problem #15

Oct 212014

Dart SLX 1.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 12,000 miles

First occurrence the O2 sensor needed replacement. If this was the only issue I had with this car I would not really be mentioning it, but it has been a whole string of errors with this car since purchase

- bnormal, Cartage, TN, US

problem #14

Jun 152015

Dart SXT 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 290,000 miles

It really pisses me off, This car is overrated for what you are paying. The transmission is a peace of junk. The person who designed it should be fired...........

- civit, Abbotsford, BC, Canada

problem #13

Jun 072015

Dart Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles

Ever since we purchased this car in 2013 brand new, it's been one thing after another. Something wasn't put together correctly when building this car, so the shop had the car for a month after 2 weeks of purchasing this vehicle.

It's been in the shop several times for the electrical inside the car not working or turning off all of a sudden, it's been in the shop for the car leaking inside the carpet, it's been in the shop for engine issues, it's been in the shop for feeling like the car is in neutral when it's in drive and it not moving, it's been in the shop for engine light flashing, I mean I can go on and on and on with this car.

We purchased the car in WA state, we moved to New York in July of 2014 due to being active military. This vehicle has given us nothing but issues, I have all receipts for every time this car has been in and we purchased extended insurance on this car which I'm glad we did. I'm getting ready to file a formal complaint in regards to this vehicle, and needless to say we had to drop off this car once again this morning for the check engine light flashing again along with the electrical panels auto shutting off while the car is in motion.

- Candy T., Queensbury, NY, US

problem #12

Jan 292015

Dart Rallye 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,195 miles

click to see larger images

check engine light on

Running errands. Stopped to fuel up and when I got back in car, it would not start with key or remote. Car would not even turn over. After several attempts it started but now the check engine light is on and remains on. Taking it into dealer for warranty repair. This is the 2nd time this has happened! Last time was in November 2014.

- csperry, El Dorado, KS, US

problem #11

Jan 232015

Dart 4.0

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Engine light popped on out of nowhere! Message read recheck gas cap! So we did and it went off! But this happened 4 days after we got gas! WTH! Second time in a month!

- jags4ever74, Dunnellon, FL, US

problem #10

Jan 032015

Dart 4.0

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles

Engine light came on. Message read check gas cap! We did and it went off! This car only 2 years old to have all these problems!

- jags4ever74, Dunnellon, FL, US

problem #9

Jul 012014

Dart SXT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles

Check engine light comes on at high speeds. I have taken it in for service to be told they cant do anything about it because

the car doesn't store the code.

- Kim B., Vancouver, WA, US

problem #8

Oct 132014

Dart Limited 1.4L Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles

The check engine light came on for the first time when the car was still under warranty. I called the dealership and the told me as long as the check engine light wasn't flashing don't worry about driving. It is probably a loose gas cap. The light then went off after a couple days so I did not take the car in right away.

Over the next month the light came on and off several times until it stayed on. I took the car in and it was discovered that cylinder number 2 was not functioning and needed to have the spark plug and ignition coil for that cylinder replaced. At this point the car was less then 400 miles out of warranty. The dealership made me pay for the repairs although they did give me a reduced cost.

A month later the check engine light came on again, this time flashing and the car was not able to continue to be driven and the car was towed back to the dealership. This time it was cylinder number 1. They fixed it the same way as previously mentioned. The dealership was not helpful at all. It is now again 1 month later from the second cylinder repair and my check engine light has come on yet again! I am not a happy girl and as much as I love my car, enough is enough!!!

- Shelly G., Belleville, WI, US

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