VehicleVerdict

2012 Dodge Dart problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2012 Dodge Dart sits mid-pack among Dart years: 1,533 NHTSA complaints, with 6 recalls and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 51 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 455 reports (30% of the total).

1,533

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

96

Crash-involved

29

Fires reported

51

Injuries

4

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Dart years?

Dart NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted1,533 complaints1966: 1 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 2 complaints1969: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 1 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints2012: 1,533 complaints2013: 410 complaints2014: 557 complaints2015: 794 complaints2016: 352 complaints
Dart NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Dart years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Dodge Dart problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission45530%
Brakes28719%
Electrical System20714%
Engine16811%
Other1057%
Airbags684%
Tires & Wheels483%
Speed Control413%
Steering382%
Visibility & Wipers362%
Fuel System221%
Seat Belts211%
Body & Structure141%
Lighting121%
Suspension91%
Seats10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2012 Dodge Dart have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V293000TransmissionApril 11, 2019 · 298,439 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Dodge Dart vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions. The shifter cable bushing may fail allowing the shift cable to detach from the transmission.

Consequence

If the shifter cable detaches from the transmission, the vehicle may not perform the shifts performed by the driver. Additionally, despite selecting PARK with the shifter, the vehicle may roll away. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

This recall will be replaced by NHTSA recall number 25V674. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission side shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 5, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V34.

15V800000BrakesNovember 25, 2015 · 105,425 units

Defect

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured February 27, 2012 to January 23, 2014 and equipped with either a 2.0L or 2.4L engine. In affected vehicles, engine oil from the vacuum pump may seep into the brake booster, damaging a component within the brake booster.

Consequence

Internal damage to brake booster could result in a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster grommet for the presence of oil. If no oil is found, the vacuum tube assembly will be replaced. If oil is found, the vacuum pump, vacuum tube assembly, brake booster and master cylinder will be replaced. The recall began on May 9, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R63.

15V542000TransmissionAugust 25, 2015 · 23,564 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured February 24, 2012, to June 16, 2015. The affected vehicles may experience failure of the transmission control module (TCM), causing the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral.

Consequence

If the transmission shifts into neutral, it can cause loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the TCM and bracket, free of charge. Chrysler issued an interim notification to owners on October 14, 2015. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R42.

13V555000AirbagsNovember 6, 2013 · 374 units

Defect

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured May 10, 2013, through August 24, 2013 and equipped with the Mopar 13 trim package. In the affected vehicles, the front seat mounted side airbags (SAB) may not have been properly installed into the seat.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating SAB deployment, the SABs may fail to deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the SAB installation and re-install them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N61.

13V238000TransmissionJune 4, 2013 · 12,872 units

Defect

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured March 1, 2012, through February 28, 2013 and equipped with a 1.4L MultiAir turbo engine and dual dry clutch transmission. These vehicles may experience an engine stall when the temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit or colder.

Consequence

If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N32.

13V124000BrakesApril 3, 2013 · 46 units

Defect

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured on November 27, 2012. Some vehicles may have been built with incorrect rear brake calipers, which could result in an inoperable parking brake.

Consequence

If the parking brake is inoperable, the vehicle could roll when parked increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began on April 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N21.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

MY FOOT WAS ON MY CLUTCH AND BRAKE I THEN STARED THE CAR....THE CAR LUNGE FORWARD INTO SOME BUSHES .. AFTER THAT THE CLUTCH STAYED ON THE FLOOR UNABLE TO SHIFT IN REVERSE TILL I PUMPED BRAKE AND CLUTCH I ACTUALLY LIFTED THE CLUTCH UP WITH MY FOOT TO USE IT TO SHIFT. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 30, 2014 · crash

LOST BRAKES, I WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT. I CALLED DODGE SEVERAL TIMES TO FIX RECALL, CAR STILL HASN'T BEEN FIXED. I AM UNABLE TO GET A NYS INSPECTION. I WAS PULLED OVER BY POLICE AND I RECEIVED TICKET FOR NO INSPECTION. DODGE REFUSES TO FIX RECALL AS OF APRIL 2016. I NEED MY CAR FIXED. I AM A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 10, 2016 · crash

CAR'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES DURING COMMUTE TO WORK 0700 IN THE MORNING 10/09/2018, 65 DEGREE DAY IN 35 MPH ZONE. 54,000 MILES ON CAR. CAR WAS MOVING AT 30MPH WHEN ENGINE DIED AND CAR STARTED TO SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD, WITHIN 60 SECONDS FLAMES APPEARED FROM HOOD, MY DAUGHTER DRIVING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 9, 2018 · fire

CAR'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES DURING COMMUTE TO WORK 0700 IN THE MORNING 10/09/2018, 65 DEGREE DAY IN 35 MPH ZONE. 54,000 MILES ON CAR. CAR WAS MOVING AT 30MPH WHEN ENGINE DIED AND CAR STARTED TO SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD, WITHIN 60 SECONDS FLAMES APPEARED FROM HOOD, MY DAUGHTER DRIVING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 9, 2018 · fire

AIRBAG ' I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT A FEW DAYS AGO. WHEN I WAS HIT HEAD ON, MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO PUT OUT THERE THAT MY CAR WAS ALSO TOTALED AND WHEN I WAS HIT I WAS GOING 45, AND THE OTHER DRIVER WAS GOING 60. WHICH IS QUITE A HEFTY IMPACT FOR A SMALL CAR BEING HIT BY A LIFTED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 8, 2019 · crash

2012 Dodge Dart — common questions

Is the 2012 Dodge Dart reliable?

It is close to typical for the Dart: 1,533 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2012 Dart problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (455 complaints), brakes (287 complaints), electrical system (207 complaints).

Does the 2012 Dodge Dart have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Dodge Dart. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.