What's Wrong with the 1st Generation (2013–2016) Dart?

Dart owners have made 598 complaints about the 2013–2016 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 50th out of 54 Dodge generations in overall reliability, with real engine and interior concerns.

Common 2013-2016 Dodge Dart Problems

Some of the worst issues 1st generation Dart owners have to deal with.

  1. 2.4L Tigershark Oil Consumption

    A serious defect in the 2.4L Tigershark engine causes an excessive amount of oil to be burned during normal operation. Owners must constantly top off the oil and have consumption tests run at the dealership, or risk the engine seizing up an…

    Continue reading article "2.4L Tigershark Oil Consumption" Tigershark engine

  2. Stuck in Park

    Can't shift the car into reverse or drive! Now what? This is most commonly reported from Dodge Avenger owners, but there have also been similar complaints about other Dodge makes as well as other Chrysler and Jeep vehicles having a similar …

    Continue reading article "Stuck in Park" Red arrow points at a disassembled gear shifter

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

1st Generation (2013–2016) Dart Key Numbers

  1. 4 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 598 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 50th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 54 eligible generations.

Recent 1st Generation (2013–2016) Dart News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Could a wounded Dodge Dart clutch lawsuit finally be coming to an end? It's certainly been a wild-ride.

    The now five-year-old lawsuit says the clutch in the 2013-2015 Dart can drop and stay on the floor. Stellantis (formerly Fiat-Chrysler when the lawsuit started, formerly-formerly just plain ole' Chrysler) contends they addressed this problem with multiple service bulletins and customer satisfaction campaigns.…

    keep reading article "Could a 5-Year-Old Dodge Dart Clutch Lawsuit Finally Be Ending? Maybe."

  2. Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) says certain Dodge Darts are missing a software backup

    in the powertrain control module (PCM).

    "FCA is recalling 1,200 model year 2016 Dodge Dart cars equipped with 2-liter engines and manual transmissions. In addition, some 2015 Dodge Darts are included if they have the same engines and transmissions and were serviced between September 15, 2015, and January 12, 2016."

    The PCM monitors the engine's torque output, and if it fails it won't be able to stop what FCA calls "an unauthorized torque event." That's twisted.

    keep reading article "Dart Recalled for Missing PCM Software"

  3. The 2013-15 Dodge Dart has been recalled because the car can shift into neutral for no other reason than to mess up your day.

    The Darts are all equipped with dual die-clutch transmissions. Correction: dual dry-clutch transmissions. My mistake.

    Fiat Chrysler (FCA US) says that the transmission control module mounting bracket can "apply to much force and cause a circuit board malfunction". If that happens when you're out on the open road, hang on tight:

    "My son was driving our car on the freeway, he heard a grinding noise, the car shifted into neutral all by itself and it would not come out of neutral. He took it into Vacaville Dodge (in California) who advised they fixed the problem and off we went. Less than one month later it happened again."

    Full details about the recall --- including manufacturing dates, what dealers will have to do to fix it, and FCA's contact information --- can be found on CarComplaints.com.

    keep reading article "Transmissions Recalled for Magically Shifting Into Neutral"

  5. There are three things, according to owners, that happen when you press the brake pedal in the 2013 Dodge Dart.

    Spoiler alert: none of them involve stopping.

    1. The brake pedal becomes very difficult to press
    2. There are audible hisses and pops
    3. Braking distances increase when driving

    In fact, some owners say the only way to stop their car is to use the emergency brake (just don't mention that to these 2 owners who say their parking brake doesn't work).…

    keep reading article "2013 Dart Brakes Under Investigation For Being Awful in Pretty Much Every Way"