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2012 Dodge Dart problems

The most common problem on the 2012 Dodge Dart is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 48,000 miles. It has 2.9 times the complaints of a typical Dart model year.

Year to avoid2.9x the typical complaints
Year score
32/100
Owner complaints
1,081
Recalls
6
Service bulletins
152
Worst area
Transmission
Typical repair
$800

The worst 2012 Dodge Dart problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Dodge Dart

Check engine light 98Stalling 86Won't shift 49Won't start 42Brake failure 39Airbag light 35Wipers 33No deployment 27Jerking 27Transmission failure 25Loss of power 22Fire or smoke 21Adaptive cruise 16Engine failure 16Hesitation 16Slipping 15ABS 14Backup camera 11Headlights 10Warning lights 10Misfire 8Spongy pedal 8Steering lock-up 8Tire blowout 8Grinding brakes 7Oil consumption 7Overheating 6Seat belt 6Door locks 5Knocking 5Harsh shifting 5Screen failure 5Power steering loss 5

Trouble codes owners of the 2012 Dodge Dart mention

P0299 2P0352 2

Recalls 6

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shiftReported April 11, 2019 · 298,439 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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 the federal safety agency 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.

Recall number 19V293000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuumReported November 25, 2015 · 105,425 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 15V800000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)Reported August 25, 2015 · 23,564 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 15V542000 · Recall details

Air bags: side/windowReported November 6, 2013 · 374 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 13V555000 · Recall details

Power trainReported June 4, 2013 · 12,872 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 13V238000 · Recall details

Parking brakeReported April 3, 2013 · 46 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 13V124000 · Recall details

See all 6 recalls for the 2012 Dodge Dart

Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Dodge Dart 152

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 152 bulletins for the 2012 Dodge Dart

What 2012 Dodge Dart owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 10, 2024 · Airbags · 30,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated while driving. The contact stated that after the first failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure had continued intermittently over the years; however, the warning light had remained illuminated while driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

Filed Mar 4, 2024 · Transmission · 180,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a gasoline odor on the interior of the vehicle, after which several unknown warning lights on the instrument panel started flickering. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway to shut off the vehicle, after which the vehicle failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the alternator and the ignition switch. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic, who then diagnosed a failure with the transmission control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V542000 (Power Train) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 180,000.

Filed Feb 5, 2024 · Transmission · 117,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shifted into neutral without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift into drive or reverse with a message stating that the gear was not available. The service transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local transmission and a diagnostic test was performed. The contact was informed that the dual clutch was inoperable. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that after further diagnostic testing, it was determined that the Transmission Control Module and actuator had failed. The contact stated that as per the Mopar website, the vehicles was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V542000 (Power Train). The contact informed the dealer of the failure and was instructed to take the vehicle in for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not yet towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

Filed Aug 2, 2023 · Visibility · 97,945 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that the front windshield trim was missing and that the adhesive around the front windshield was cracking. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 97,945.

Filed Jul 18, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · 120,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and RPM's decreased briefly before returning to normal functionality. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a failure with the HVAC system. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure; however, the contact was advised that the infotainment unit might need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Apr 24, 2023 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the service transmission and check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Mar 1, 2023 · Brakes, Transmission · 90,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated while driving approximately 40-50 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound. The contact stated that he had heard the cable brake and noticed while depressing the brake pedal that the vehicle was not decelerating. The contact stated that the flywheel had detached from the vehicle and the clutch was damaged. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake booster was leaking and that the brake cable linkage needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Oct 28, 2022 · Transmission · 172,000 miles · NY

The contact's son owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while his son was pulling out of a parking lot, the RPM started fluctuating. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle surged. The transmission was slipping significantly while driving to his residence. The message "Service Transmission" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the failure was associated with an unknown transmission recall. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 172,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2022 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to three independent mechanics who diagnosed that the transmission shifter cable bushing had detached from the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had previously been serviced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V293000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

Filed Dec 17, 2021 · Transmission · 82,420 miles · NV

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was a loud abnormal pop sound coming from the vehicle. The contact noticed that the clutch was all the way to the floor and that the gear shifter was loose and would not shift out of gear. In addition, there was an abnormal burning from the clutch. The contact had to slowly coast and veered to the side of the road. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence; then towed to a local dealer who diagnosed that the shifter cable and pressure plate were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,420.

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Questions about the 2012 Dodge Dart

Is the 2012 Dodge Dart reliable?

Owners have filed 1,081 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Dart, 2.9 times a typical Dart model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2012 Dodge Dart year score?

The 2012 Dodge Dart scores 32 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Dodge Dart: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Dodge Dart?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 454 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles. Next is brakes (281).

How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Dart have?

6 recalls, covering power train, service brakes, hydraulic and air bags.

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