The Dodge Dart is one of the reasons for the brand’s success in the 1960s. While its comeback in 2013 wasn’t all that successful in terms of sales, this compact and efficient sedan remains a great daily driver. If you’re thinking about buying a pre-owned Dodge Dart, it’s helpful to know about the common issues you may encounter as your car racks up mileage.
Are Dodge Darts Reliable?
RepairPal gave the Dodge Dart an above-average reliability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, ranking it 28th out of 36 compact cars. The 2016 Dodge Dart received a 4.2 out of 5.0 consumer rating from Kelley Blue Book and scored 78 out of 100 from J.D Power, falling short of the top 10 sedans of that year.
As long as you follow your Dart’s recommended maintenance schedule and replace faulty components immediately, you can make the most out of your car’s service life.
Common Dodge Dart Problems
Just like any other car, the Dodge Dart may develop issues over time. Here are some of the most common problems across its model years:
Excessive Oil Consumption
If you plan to buy a used 2015 Dodge Dart, you may want to watch out for excessive oil consumption. Many owners noticed that they had to top up their engine oil every 1,000 miles, while others determined that their Dart had been consuming 1-2 quarts of oil every 1,000-2,000 miles.
The solution for this problem will vary depending on your mechanic’s diagnosis. Several owners had to swap out their faulty oil rings for new ones, while some had to get an engine replacement to resolve the issue.
Engine Stalling
Many 2014 Dodge Dart owners have complained that their engine suddenly stalls or dies while they’re on the road. Some had to jumpstart their vehicle to get it running again. In most cases, mechanics found no issue with their car’s battery.
Drivers have also reported stiff steering and braking issues that seem to come out of nowhere. Mechanics have linked these drivability problems to low oil pressure, malfunctioning sensors, and faulty wiring. A software update for the engine computer also worked for some affected vehicles.
Suspension System Issues
Problems with the suspension system top the list of 2013 Dodge Dart common problems. Some owners have reported that their front passenger side axle snapped without warning. What puzzled them was that most of them were not involved in a collision, which may have compromised the integrity of their suspension system.
Suspension system problems increase the risk of road accidents. Good thing replacing the faulty components solves most of them. There’s no shortage of replacement control arms, knuckles, and axles available on the market, so finding one for your Dodge Dart will be easy.
Malfunctioning Transmission
Another common issue reported by several 2013 Dodge Dart owners involves their vehicle’s transmission. Owners shared that affected cars jumped out of gear a few times while they were on the road. In some cases, their Dart also made grinding noises and got stuck at neutral.
If you’re starting to notice transmission-related issues with your Dodge Dart, don’t hesitate to bring it to an auto repair shop for proper diagnosis and repair. Replacing the whole transmission solved the issue on most affected vehicles.
Broken Sun Visor
Some 2013 Dodge Dart owners have also complained about problems with their interior accessories. Several drivers said that their passenger side sun visor snapped even though they rarely use it. Some speculated that the plastic tube holding the visor in place isn’t durable, causing the part to fall off easily. Thankfully, this issue can be solved by replacing the faulty sun visor.
Battery Failure
According to many owners of the 2013 Dodge Dart, battery failure is a common problem for the model year. Most of them had to replace their car’s battery twice in two years.
Drivers have reported that their battery died abruptly while they were driving. Most of them also had to deal with steering and braking issues. Owners of the affected vehicles had to replace their battery or alternator to solve the issue.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) issued a recall to address the 2013 model year’s brake problems. The recall covered Darts fitted with incorrect rear brake calipers, which may cause the vehicle’s parking brakes to malfunction.
Some owners also complained about unusual noises coming from their brakes. However, when they took their vehicle to an auto repair shop, mechanics found nothing wrong with the parts.
These are only some of the issues that your Dodge Dart can develop as it racks up mileage. By doing your research before purchasing any car, you can save time and money by avoiding costly repairs. Once you’ve chosen the right model year for you, stick to its maintenance schedule and replace faulty parts immediately to keep it in top shape for a long time.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
The engine stalls out when the oil pressure gets too low. Thusly I believe it is related to the oil burning issue. It is NOT a battery issue. Then again, this has only happened to me in the wintertime. Oil changes need to more frequent (as compared with other modern day cars) and as stated in the article, you need to check your oil regularly and often.
During the last, about 40 days, 5 yes, 5 times my car would not start. Twice, my car started by turning the key on and off 5-8 times. I’ve since learned that if I simply pull out the oil dip stick then returned the dip stick my car will start. This has been proven 3 times now. My engine light is now on but when the gentleman from O’Reilly’s tried to get a code, there wasnt one. Yes, he checked with the key in, out, turned on, and with the car running…no code.
SMH!
As one of the founding members of the Dodge Dart Owner’s Club on Facebook I can assure you that 90% of the stalling issues stems from the low oil condition you stated above…some models had a recall to repair the oil consumption problem. That being said the Dart GT is the best of the various models and the best of the 3 engines that were offered was the 2.4 litre MultiAir. I own 2 of these GT models and have only had minor issues.