Dodge Dart fire or smoke problems

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · WI

During a recent dealership visit for recall work and an oil change, a potential issue was identified involving improper fluid presence. On April 16, 2026, I brought my 2015 Dodge Dart to Ewald Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram for recall work and an oil change. Upon pickup, I immediately noticed a strong burning smell. Service representative Austin told me this was normal due to the recall work performed. On April 17, I began hearing new clinking noises from the engine that were not present before this visit. On April 18, an independent mechanic observed red fluid consistent with automatic transmission fluid rather than normal engine oil. I have photos and video documenting this finding. I returned to the dealership, where a second oil change was performed. I also have video showing dark oil being removed only two days after the first oil change. The dealership denied wrongdoing and stated the vehicle arrived in that condition. No warning lights or similar symptoms existed before the April 16 service visit. All symptoms began immediately afterward. Incorrect or contaminated fluid can cause inadequate lubrication of engine components, overheating, engine damage, or sudden mechanical failure while driving, creating a safety risk to myself and others. The dealership has denied responsibility and refused to provide requested service records. Due to this experience, I no longer trust the dealership to further inspect or repair my vehicle. Should any engine damage arise as a direct result of incorrect fluid used during this service visit, the dealership should be held fully responsible for all repair costs

Filed Oct 9, 2023 · Fuel system · CA

The car stinks like gas, check engine light has been on. Independent service center advised me that the fuel tank has a leak. Check engine code is also detecting a fuel leak. We have bad headaches due to gas smells inside the car. Even my kids compliant of having headaches due to the gas smell. Puddle of gas above the fuel pump. Thank Can catch on fire due to the leak and strong gas smell. The smell wasn’t to strong until year 2022

Filed Jul 15, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · AR · fire

Unknown , I was driving down the road at 50 mph and my battery light came on then I lost my a/c my lights started flickering and I then lost power steering and brakes I had to use my emergency brake to slow down then all of my check engine and brake failure lights were flickering and my fuse box on top of my battery caught fire and was smoking and my car then shut off I could have crashed and or been hit and killed

Filed Apr 5, 2022 · 140,000 miles · NC · fire

The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while his son was reversing the vehicle, the power steering warning light illuminated and the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The contact and his son then noticed that there were flames coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact and his son were able to extinguish the fire. No police report was filed. No medical attention was received. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the fire started from the power steering pump. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer would have an inspector come to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Aug 29, 2021 · Transmission · CA · 1 injury

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.

Filed Nov 13, 2020 · Electrical · 89,837 miles · WA · fire

I was driving down the highway when the vehicle was idling at a stop light behind several other vehicles. I was feeling hot so I turned off the heater and directly after smoke flooded the cabin. When the light turned green, I proceeded forward as fast as possible to the parking lot and the vehicle caught fire from the passenger side where the cooling system reservoir was near the upper top corner of the passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was off and it sounded like the fans/engine was still running despite the key being removed.

Filed May 17, 2020 · Brakes · 48,705 miles · WA

The rear brakes are locked up and wont release. The first time the calipers had to be changed out. This happened with in the first 3 years. This most recent time they locked up again I have not yet taken it in to the shop yet but it feels like the same problem and it has only been 3 years or so since they were last changed. The car only has about 40 thousand miles on it. This is a major safety problem. This could cause the brakes to catch on fire or even cause an accident. This really needs to be addressed.

Filed Dec 24, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 60,000 miles · CA · fire

I turned my car off and walked into work and while I was gone and my car was off it caught on fire in the battery compartment and is now totaled.

Filed Oct 23, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 113 miles · CA · fire

Well my car headlight and the paneling caught on fire in my car went to car hop to advise them took the car to one of there dealers advised that they don't do electrical at the same time the recall came in advised me that a recall was needed too k it to dealership and as of now 30 days behind on the part advised carhop that the repairs have been made before I brought the car that wasn't done correctly which made me have to pay for the recall work they swear they didn't bit the state and carfax say otherwise it wasn't done by dodge in no state but by there mechanics at this time the car is dangerous to drive it's still at dodge and carhop said they will resell it to another family even though I advised them the panel caught on fire and there is a short

Filed Oct 23, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 114,000 miles · NC

When pulling into the store a warning came on my screen stating that my turn signals were out when they weren't. Also stated that my low beams were out, they weren't. While driving in traffic a metallic burning smell came through the air vents every couple miles.