10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
10,379 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Dodge Dart:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #30

Nov 122025

Dart

  • miles
The transmission shift cable detached from the transmission, causing the gear shifter to move freely without actually changing gears. When this happened, the vehicle could not be shifted into Park or Drive and became unsafe to operate. This created a serious safety risk because the car could roll or move unexpectedly even when the shifter was in Park. The vehicle is affected by Recall A0C / NHTSA 25V-674 for this exact issue. The failure has not yet been repaired because local dealers have been unresponsive. The problem can be reproduced by simply moving the shifter, as the cable will disconnect again. No warning lights appeared before the failure. The issue was visually confirmed by observing the detached cable under the hood.

- Winter Park, FL, USA

problem #29

Jul 202025

Dart

  • miles
This complaint is in regard to the most recent recall on Dodge Darts, the transmission shifter cable detachment. I was in the process of parking my car on an incline. All was normal. I had been out running errands, driving, and shifting for a few hours. The gear shift felt disconnected from anything; there was no effort required to move it back and forth in the shift. The car was not recognizing any movement I was making with the gear shift, and would not lock into place for any gear. I had to hold my foot on the brake even while "shifted" into park; otherwise, I would drift backwards into the car behind me, and potentially into a ditch/creek. I had to call for help to stabilize my car, with bricks behind the tires and a 25-pound weight left on the brake so I could exit the vehicle. We had to lift and open the gear shift to the compartment underneath and manually shift the car into park. During this, we unfortunately broke something under the gear shift. This happened on a Sunday evening (July 20), so no repair person was available to help me. Chrysler refused to offer any assistance or information about the last recall of this issue, and advised me to call the dealership that did the repair (they would not tell me which one I went to, just that it was marked complete in 2019). I know I went to a Shorkey location, but not which. I called three Jim Shorkey Dodge locations in Pittsburgh, and they all refused responsibility. I was told to call Chrysler again. I did not, because why would I? A local mechanic was able to acquire the part from Dodge to "fix" the issue. However, he had to override the safety mechanism that causes the car to recognize what gear the car is in before it can turn off. So now I have to drive around, hoping I don't accidentally press the power button and shut off my car on the road. The car was inspected by a representative from Progressive. They determined a mechanical failure and denied my claim for coverage. This is BS.

- Verona, PA, USA

problem #28

Oct 072025

Dart

  • miles
I was at a intersection when the incident occurred. I was unable to shift it into gear. I was able to roll it into the gas station at the intersection. Bushing on tension rod disintegrated. Causing the transmission to be stuck in neutral.

- Addison, MI, USA

problem #27

Oct 072025

Dart

  • miles
Shifter cable was replaced for recall in February of 2025 and it-??s messed up again..

- Euless, TX, USA

problem #26

Aug 192025

Dart

  • miles
Shift gear assembly failure

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #25

Jul 112025

Dart

  • miles
I purchased it and within two months the cars breaks were slow to respond, or would lock up and the parking break did not work. The car suddenly shifts into neutral while driving on the high way and surface roads, loses power and has nearly caused multiple accidents. Other times when i try to shift, it does not respond. Car stalls going up hill and at stoplights. I took it for diagnostics twice and both places stated that the symptoms are mirroring the earlier recall problems. One said the spark plugs are ruined from some other issue. When I called the manufacturer they stated that it had previously been repaired on recall. I contacted the dealership where I purchased it and they told me the car was sold "as Is". The problems only got worse. The battery would go dead all of the time. I replaced it and still had the same problem. Windows wouldn't go up and down properly, sun roof would not open and close. Every time I used the blinker to turn right, the windshield wipers would turn on. Now they will not turn off at all. It also turned out that the tires had dry rot. When i went in for an oil change i was told that oil was back flowing into a part of the car that it shouldn't. Now I have to pay $300+ plus towing to have the dealership do a diagnostic so that I can ask the manufacturer to cover the cost of repairing it (again) because the first repairs done when the previous owner had it, did not work. The car is a death trap. At this point the car has been sitting until I can afford repairs because Ive been scared to death to drive it. Too many near misses, once with a semi, when the car shut down while doing almost 70mph. It should be illegal to sell this car to anyone new or used. I have an appointment at the Dodge/Chrysler dealership for repairs, but since it was supposedly "fixed" previously, i have very little faith that it can or will be properly repaired.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #24

Jun 282025

Dart

  • miles
The shifter cable for this car once again came undone. I did the first original recall a couple a years ago and once again the same issue is happening.

- Pembroke Pines , FL, USA

problem #23

Jul 062023

Dart

  • miles
The service Transmisson lite came on and then it was flashing gear not available and put in N, R, D. but was stuck in N while i was driving on the interstate at 70MPH, I almost got ran over trying to get off the road. The TCM was already replaced. I had replaced the SDU and still does the same thing. This happens often. The car will sit for a while and then it will do it again. It will also rev up like up press the gas pedal down but not touching it, this will happen while setting or after I put it in drive. The Bluetooth isn't working, it will work if the battery is unplugged but then after a day or 2 it stops. I have replaced the spark plugs and ignition coils and it still losses power occasionally. The back up camera doesn't work sometimes also the air condition and the air will come on but shows that it's off. This car is a piece of garbage, and dealers will just keep selling it even though they know it has a lot of issues that they can't seem to fix. Most of the people in the forums all having the same issues that never get fixed! This car needs a total RECALL.

- Mont Alto, PA, USA

problem #22

Mar 112024

Dart

  • miles
May 2020 - informed of a transmission shifter cable recall, addressed and fixed 05/14/2020 March 11th 2024 - transmission shifter cable failure.

- Austin , TX, USA

problem #21

Sep 212023

Dart

  • miles
The micro shift on the shifter does not push the lever up enough to register that the car is in park. You think your car is in park until you go to take the key out and it does not come out. OR I parked in a parking spot thinking I put it in park as my car displayed park and it started rolling. There is a whole forum about this issue. So I know I-??m one of hundreds. This is really unsafe.

- Orland Park, IL, USA

problem #20

May 122023

Dart

  • miles
Transmission control module failed. Gear shifts into neutral when driving and shuts car off. Gear position sensor bad causing gear to shift while driving.

- Texas City , TX, USA

problem #19

Jul 042023

Dart

  • miles
Transmission shifting cable bushing is stripped. Car is stuck in park.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #18

Mar 062023

Dart

  • miles
I was parked. When I turn my car on to put it in drive the shift moved but the car manually stayed in park. I had to continuously turn it on and off to get it in drive.

- Riverdale, GA, USA

problem #17

Nov 112022

Dart

  • miles
My rear facing camera has begun to malfunction. Sometimes it does not work at all and sometimes the image comes through upside down. I am told it will many dollars to determine if its the camera or its connection to my radio. In either event, the fix is said to cost over one thousand dollars.

- Mahopac, NY, USA

problem #16

Oct 012022

Dart

  • miles
The rear backup camera turns off or doesn't function while in reverse frequently.

- Chesterfield, MI, USA

problem #15

Jan 112022

Dart

  • miles
Car stops moving as you are driving it. Took it to multiple mechanics including Dodge dealership. Dodge stated they see this often with Darts. Engine light and service transmission is on screen after it stops moving (rpm revs but no movement). Been ongoing since august 2018. Sending photos of some of the beginning incidents to not overwhelm.

- Defiance , OH, USA

problem #14

May 172022

Dart

  • miles
I took my car in for the last recall and now my car wont shift into gear. The gear shifter moves but does not connect to my car to get it to start going. Ive called the dealership and they wont even call me back. My car won't even move. This is a huge hazard!!!

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #13

Sep 162021

Dart

  • miles
I was backing out of the driveway to go to work and my car suddenly stopped. All the lights on the shifter had turned red and moving the shifter did nothing. I restarted the car and everything worked normally but I am concerned about my car doing it again while driving on a busy road and put mine and other drivers safety in jeopardy. The car is available for inspection at any time. There were no other inspections or warning signs of this happening.

- Frankfort, IN, USA

problem #12

Aug 212021

Dart

  • miles
A recall on the shifter cable bushing was said to be completed on 01/15/20 at Shelor Motor Mile, Christiansburg, VA. On 08/21/21, the bushing broke and came off the shifter cable, leaving the car stuck in gear. In between the time of the alleged recall repair and this happening (~18 months), my car was driven from 40,000 to 60,000 miles. I believe the dealer dishonestly said they fixed the recall to pocket money and banking it wouldn-??t fail in my car. This was a safety issue to me and could have been much worse. A recalled part that was fixed should not have failed less than 2 years and 20,000 miles later. I am now left to fix the repairs on my own. This dealer should be investigated to ensure others are getting their recalls properly taken care of so it is not a threat to their life/property.

- Vinton, VA, USA

problem #11

Aug 262021

Dart

  • miles
The incident that occurred involved my clutch and transmission. I had purchased the car (8/17/2021)about 2 weeks before complete failure. Everything was going fine until I entered the freeway (8/26/2021)and after driving around 5 miles in 6th gear doing about 65 with no initial issues, I started to smell something burning. I immediately looked for the safest way to get out of traffic. While slowing, gears weren-??t shifting and I was basically stuck in neutral. I only had control of brakes and steering wheel which caused me to have to make extremely dangerous evasive maneuvers. Once safe, I was able to find the source of the smoke. Which turned out to be dot 3 from where, what I think is the slave cylinder connects to the top of the transmission. I was able to remove it to check for damage/defection. It was dripping dot 3 and I didn-??t see any noticeable defects. Plugged it back. Tried to drive and the clutch engages to start vehicle/change gears. But gears were able to change without clutch as well. Yet i couldn-??t get out of neutral. Towed it home, next day clutch pedal was on the floor with no pressure. All components are available for inspection upon request, the safety of everyone involved was put at risk due to me not having any control of anything but the brakes and steering; with no warning or idea of what could be wrong due to the instantaneous nature of the disastrous incident. On a public highway with people going speeds of up to 85 mph. I have not been able to get confirmation or reproduction by anyone. I have not had any inspection due to my lack of knowledge on this process. There was no warning light or indication that the incident was going to happen until I had limited-no control.

- Olivehurst, CA, USA

Read the next 10 complaints »