I took home my 2013 Dodge Dart SXT on September 15th. On September 29th the check engine light went on, but the car was running fine. I happened to stop by the dealership to pick up my registration and mentioned it to one of the dealers. He said to call service on Monday (the 1st) and ask them about it. The engine light was not on on September 30th, but was back on on October 1st. I called and made an appointment to bring it in on Friday, October 5th (my earliest convenience). While driving on October 1st the traction control light also turned on. While driving on October 2nd, my car would not accelerate past 50 mph in the am, but ran fine in the pm (engine light still on). The exact same thing happened on October 3rd, not accelerating past 50pmh in the am, running fine in the pm, and the traction control light also turned on. I did not drive my car on October 4th, but on October 5th while driving my car to the service department of my dealership the engine light was on, it would not accelerate past 50 mph, I noticed the cruise control was not working, and the car shut off while I was stopped at a red light.

I brought it in to service around 9:00 am on the 5th, and waited until about 10:30 am when I was issued a rental vehicle because the technicians could not immediately determine what was wrong. I received a call from the service dept. at 3:00 pm during which I was told that they weren't sure what was wrong/how long it would take to fix.

On October 8th, the service dept. called around 4:30 pm to say that they had spent most of the day running tests and that they were sending the results to the Chrysler engineering dept in Detroit to see what they wanted to do. They also said they were able to fix a sensor which corrected the traction control issue.

On October 9th around noon I spoke to the sales manager in person to see if it was a recall issue, or if it was just my car having this problem. I was told there was no recall. Around 1:30 pm the service dept. called and I was told that Chrysler would be sending a new engine and that it should arrive at the end of the week or the beginning of the next.

On October 17th I had yet to hear back from the service dept. so I called around 4:45 pm. I was told that they had fixed a radiator hose which had not been previously mentioned to me, and had no notes about fixing the traction control issue, even though I had been told otherwise. There was also no mention of an engine replacement.

On October 18th I received a voice mail from the service dept. that said the engine had been replaced on the 17th and that the car was currently being test driven by the manager. It also said that they would need to do a front end alignment due to dropping in the engine.

Needless to say, I am not pleased, and am highly frustrated and disappointed as this was my first time buying a brand-new car. I have yet to hear back from the service dept. so am not sure of the final outcome..will update.

Purchased my Dart 10/31/12. Drove the vehicle less then a week when the "Check Engine" light came on. Since then my car has been in the shop 4 times for the same issue. They have changed the Battery, Gas Cap, Sensor, Some wiring. Nothing fixes it. The last time I was in the shop I had a rental for 12 days. The car has been in the Dealerships garage more than my own. I will say my Dealership is doing an awesome job with the situation.

Right now I am in the process of getting the car replaced. YES REPLACED. I do love the Dart. I just hope to get one with no issues.

Bought a NEW 2013 Dodge Dart SE on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012 - everything fine, great car, purchased the optional equipment package too. Car delivered to our home on Friday, Aug. 17 by the salesman we bought the car from - he also gave us a check for $29.99 to pay for the Massachusetts inspection of the car. Within 1/2 hour, my husband started the car to go to the inspection station (@500 feet from our house), at that time he saw that the "check engine" light was on! He decided to go ahead with the inspection hoping it would perhaps reveal the problem. Car passed inspection with no issues other than the technician reporting the check engine light was on. Husband returned home and called the dealer, but because it was late in the day, their service department had just closed and was not open for the weekend, will have to bring the car in for service on Monday, Aug. 20. So, no use of our brand-new car for the weekend!!! Car brought back to dealer by my husband on Monday, Aug. 20 at 8:45 a.m.-------issue explained to service rep., the shop started working on the car, they then put the car through diagnostics -- at 11:00 a.m. service rep. explained that they cannot locate the problem, tests may take all day, no loaner car available at that time. At some point, the Service rep. had contacted Dodge/Chrysler Manufacturer, they had no idea what the problem was either -- this problem hadn't come up at all previously. My husband was brought home by service person at 1:30 p.m., had to take entire day off from work. At 3:00 p.m. (same day) service rep. called "we are still communicating with manufacturer, we cannot find source of problem, have arranged a rental vehicle for you." We went back to the dealer to pick up the rental car and there was our new car in the parking lot. Was told that they have done all they know to do and it is up to the manufacturer now also that if they have to replace any parts they will be new and direct from the manufacturer. We bought a brand-new defective-free car and that is what we expect -- not a car that has been "fixed"!!!!!!! So, today is Tuesday, August 21, 2013 and I still have not heard anything about our car..................will write again with follow-up

Update from Sep 24, 2012: Car purchased on Aug. 16, they provided rental car to us on Aug. 20, today is the 37th day without our new car.

The car has been declared unfixable, we are pursuing this on the basis of the Lemon Law.

Chrysler/Dodge sent a couple of Factory Engineers to the dealers to fix car - they cannot locate the problem that causes check engine light to be on. They have replaced parts, wiring, etc. and problem still exists. Only solution offered to us was to file for Lemon Law which we had to do. (We filed only a Letter of Intent to invoke the Lemon Law.)
Two days ago, we received reply from Chrysler lawyer group and their offer to settle this without having to pursue the legal path involving actual lemon law is that we will be offered a replacement vehicle from the same dealer. Also included are several legal documents for us to sign basically making us responsible for pretty much everything.

We have been extremely patient with all concerned and do not accept that we have to get our replacement vehicle from the same dealer as they have treated us very poorly and sometimes quite rude.......Also, we have not been offered a "buy back" option. The law group has made no offer to cover any of our expenses which are not huge, i.e., some lost work time, insurance paid on car since purchase, etc. They should make a huge offer for all the stress and aggravation!!!

We have made no decision as to this offer and will contact our legal representative before making any decisions. This all has been a truly miserable experience for us as this is the very first time in our lives that we were able to finally purchase a brand-new vehicle.

Will update when and if this matter gets settled.