Dodge Dart Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Dodge Dart model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2016 drew the fewest (257) and the 2012 the most (1,081).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
257 | 5 | Power train | 5★ | 25–32 |
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
284 | 1 | Power train | 5★ | 24–32 |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
371 | 4 | Power train | 5★ | 25–32 |
| 2015 Among the most complaints |
527 | 6 | Power train | 5★ | 25–32 |
| 2012 Among the most complaints |
1,081 | 6 | Power train | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Dodge Dart years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2012 Dodge Dart: 1,081 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 454 (42%); Service brakes 275 (25%); Electrical system 175 (16%).
Reports mention 63 crashes, 14 fires, 36 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 42,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Dodge Dart: 527 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 181 (34%); Engine 141 (27%); Electrical system 118 (22%).
Reports mention 32 crashes, 7 fires, 23 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 52,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Dodge Dart: 371 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 132 (36%); Engine 104 (28%); Electrical system 74 (20%).
Reports mention 20 crashes, 7 fires, 17 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 40,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
The Dodge Dart years with the fewest complaints
2016 Dodge Dart: 257 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 83 (32%); Engine 66 (26%); Electrical system 48 (19%).
Reports mention 14 crashes, 4 fires, 9 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 49,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Dodge Dart: 284 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 158 (56%); Electrical system 57 (20%); Engine 51 (18%).
Reports mention 8 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 84,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2014 Dodge Dart: 371 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 132 (36%); Engine 104 (28%); Electrical system 74 (20%).
Reports mention 20 crashes, 7 fires, 17 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 40,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Dodge Dart owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 257 | 14 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 49,000 |
| 2015 | 527 | 32 | 7 | 23 | 0 | 52,000 |
| 2014 | 371 | 20 | 7 | 17 | 0 | 40,000 |
| 2013 | 284 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 84,000 |
| 2012 | 1,081 | 63 | 14 | 36 | 2 | 42,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Dodge Dart recalls
- Detached Shifter Cable May Cause Vehicle Rollaway (2013–2016 model years; 298,439 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2025; 25V674000)
- Shifter Cable Bushing May Detach From Transmission (2012–2016 model years; 298,439 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2019; 19V293000)
- Power Brake Booster Contamination (2012–2014 model years; 105,425 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2015; 15V800000)
- Fire Extinguisher May Be Clogged or Inoperable (2015–2016 model years; 61,791 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2017; 17V824000)
- Windshield Wiper Circuit Failure (2016 model year; 53,155 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2016; 16V813000)
All 11 Dodge Dart recall campaigns · Dodge Dart problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Dodge Dart years FAQ
Which Dodge Dart year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2016 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (257). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Dodge Dart years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2012, 2015 and 2014 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Dodge Dart problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (1,008 of 2,520 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Dodge Dart have?
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns covering the Dodge Dart. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Dodge Dart recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.