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Dodge · NHTSA safety record

2016 Dodge Dart

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 257 safety complaints about the 2016 Dodge Dart with the US government. Of those, 14 describe a crash, 4 mention a fire, 9 people were injured and no death is recorded. 5 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 83 complaints, 32% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 48,816 miles, the median across the 154 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers October 2015 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

257 complaints on file

257

Complaints

14

Describe a crash

4

Mention fire

9

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 83 · 32%
ENGINE 66 · 26%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 59 · 23%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 48 · 19%
SERVICE BRAKES 25 · 10%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 13 · 5%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 12 · 5%
STEERING 11 · 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10 · 4%
AIR BAGS 8 · 3%
SUSPENSION 6 · 2%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 5 · 2%
0 35 69

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 257.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 70.

76 57 38 19
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2015 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2016 Dodge DART, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test 4 DR FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 10.7%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

5 on file

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

25V674000 · October 9, 2025

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Dodge Dart vehicles. The shifter cable may detach from the transmission, preventing the vehicle from shifting into the park (P) position and causing a loss of park function.
The risk
A loss of park function may allow the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Vehicles that were previously repaired under recall 19V293 will need to have the new remedy completed. The remedy is currently under development. Interim notification letters, explaining the safety risk, were mailed November 6, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is A0C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 16, 2025.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 298,439 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

19V293000 · April 11, 2019

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 298,439 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

17V824000 · December 21, 2017

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk
If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 61,791 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

16V813000 · November 8, 2016

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured April 13, 2015, to June 7, 2016. Due to voltage spikes caused by a problem within the windshield washer pump, the windshield wiper circuit may fail.
The risk
Without functioning windshield wipers, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield washer pumps, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S83.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 53,155 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

16V113000 · February 26, 2016

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured July 25, 2015, to December 16, 2015 and equipped with a 2.0L engine and a manual transmission. Additionally included are certain 2015 Dodge Dart vehicles similarly equipped and brought in for dealer service between September 15, 2015 and January 12, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the powertrain control module that monitors the engine torque output may be missing a backup layer of software.
The risk
Without a backup layer of software, the control module may fail to prevent an un-commanded torque event, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Engine Control Module software, free of charge. The recall began on March 25, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S10.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 1,122 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Recall 19V-293 Post Remedy Failures

RQ25002

Closed recall query · opened June 30, 2025 · closed December 12, 2025 · led to recall 25E065

the power train

On June 30, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ25002 to investigate and review the effectiveness of Recall 19V-293. This recall was intended to address deterioration and detachment of shifter cable bushings by replacing them with an improved bushing that is less susceptible to deterioration from chemicals, oils, and solvents in MY2013-2016 Dodge Dart vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automotive US LLC (FCA US). If the shifter cable becomes detached from the transmission, the transmission gear position may not match the driver’s intended gear selection. This mismatch could result in unintended vehicle movement or rollaway when the driver believes the transmission is in PARK, increasing the risk of a crash and/or injury. ODI has received sixty-three (63) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) alleging worn or misadjusted shifter cables and/or shifter cable detachments in subject vehicles that had already received the remedy for Recall 19V-293. Complainants reported incidents of bushing deterioration and detachment, resulting in gear-selection mismatch despite the prior recall repair, raising concerns regarding the effectiveness and durability of the implemented remedy and the adequacy of the recall. ODI’s investigation sought to determine whether the remedy used in recall 19V-293 adequately addressed the cause of the failure and whether other vehicles using the same bushing design might be affected. In response, FCA US and Dura Automotive Systems Inc. (Dura) determined that the repair for Recall 19V-293 did not sufficiently address the issue, and therefore, a safety defect exists in the subject vehicle population. As a result, FCA US and Dura initiated the following recall actions: ·         Recall 25V-674 (FCA US) is intended to address MY 2013–2016 Dodge Dart vehicles repaired under 19V-293 or otherwise equipped with suspect service parts. Remedy is under development. ·         Recall 25E-065 (Dura) is intended to address the defect at the equipment level by recalling affected gearshift control cable assemblies distributed as service components. Remedy is under development. The recalls initiated by FCA US (25V-674), and Dura Automotive Systems Inc. (25E-065) were received prior to ODI sending an Information Request (IR) letter to FCA. These two recalls seem to resolve the concerns that prompted investigation RQ25002 by replacing the previously recalled and service-supplied shifter cable assembly with an improved design, currently under development. The vehicle scope concern identified in this query was addressed by the new recalls including all Model Year 2013–2016 Dodge Dart vehicles produced and equipped with the affected shifter cable assembly. Accordingly, ODI is closing Investigation RQ25002. The agency will continue to monitor field performance and recall completion data to evaluate the effectiveness of the new remedy. ODI reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SERVICE BRAKES

3 injured · crash · towed · 90,000 miles

"TAKARA RECALL" I STARTED NOTICED SQUEAKING WHEN PRESSING THE BREAKS. THIS AUTOMATICALLY MAKING ME ASSUME THAT MY BRAKES/BRAKE PADS WERE GOING BAD. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP AND AFTER CHECKING IT OUT THEY SUGGESTED THE BRAKES WERE FINE AND THAT I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO DO SO, I HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SLOWING NOR WERE THE BRAKES CATCHING. THUS RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DART IS A TOTAL LOSS. MY LIFE AS WELL AS MY CHILDREN'S LIVES WERE PUT IN DANGER. ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS HIT AS WELL. VIN NOT VALID *JB

NHTSA complaint 11230604. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 DODGE DART. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS BODY DUE TO HIS BODY GOING UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO KNOWN INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 31887076. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint 11010364. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash · towed · 20,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 DODGE DART. WHILE IN A DRIVE-THRU LINE, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND NOSE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA complaint 11083392. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 75,907 miles

ON 3/7/2019, I TOTALED MY CAR AS I WAS T-BONED. THIS ACCIDENT BROKE MY AXLE, AND DENTED IN MY DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR TO THE POINT WHERE I COULD NOT OPEN IT. MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN THE BACKSEAT AND SMACKED HER FACE OFF OF THE SEAT AND WINDOW BRUISING THE WHOLE SIDE OF HER FACE AND GIVING HER A BLACK EYE. FOR SOME REASON, NO AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. I WAS HOPEFUL AT FIRST, THAT MAYBE IT DIDN'T DEPLOY SINCE IT WAS A "SMALL" ACCIDENT, BUT NOW THAT THE CAR IS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS, I FEEL LIKE SOMETHING IS OBVIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS SITUATION. WHEN I WAS T-BONED, I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A STOP SIGN (AFTER MAKING MY STOP) TO WHICH I DID NOT SEE A CAR ON THE OTHER SIDE OF A CAR TURNING TOWARDS ME.

NHTSA complaint 11190831, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

160,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that upon shifting into park(P), the transmission failed to respond, and the contact used force to depress the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The air bag, brakes, check engine, and traction control warning lights remained illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because parts were not yet available to repair the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V674000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that the manufacturer failed to repair the vehicle in a reasonable amount

NHTSA complaint 11764079, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
On August 13, 2026, the vehicle was taken to an authorized Dodge dealership for an electrical-system problem at approximately 105,111 miles. The vehicle required a jump start and the battery failed a load test. The dealer replaced the battery, calibrated the electronic steering sensor, cleared all diagnostic trouble codes, and documented that the repairs were verified. Approximately two days after the vehicle was returned, diagnostic trouble code U0401 appeared and the vehicle had to be returned to the dealership. The vehicle has now remained at the dealership for several days without a substantive diagnosis or explanation of the cause. The vehicle also has a significant shift-cable recall

NHTSA complaint 11759900, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY

142,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Dart. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V813000 (Visibility). The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH in inclement weather, the windshield wipers became inoperable. The contact observed an active recall via the internet and then took the vehicle to a dealer and was advised that the vehicle could not be repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

NHTSA complaint 11759725. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

160,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while reversing, the transmission became stuck in reverse(R). The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact disconnected the battery to correct the failure. Upon research, the contact discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V293000 (Power Train) and 25V674000 (Power Train); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact had not received the recall notifications. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.

NHTSA complaint 11757686. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

126,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Dart. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V674000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the transmission slipped and failed to shift into park. The contact engaged the parking brake to park the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from rolling away. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not

NHTSA complaint 11757387, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

161,282 miles

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the gear shifter failed to shift into park(P) as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The gear shifter was manually shifted into reverse. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The gear shifter was later shifted into park(P). The dealer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was informed that parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V674000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The

NHTSA complaint 11756902, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Dodge Dart

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2015 527 6 —
2014 371 4 —
2013 283 1 —
2012 1,081 6 2

Other 2016 Dodge models

Grand Caravan 1,001 Journey 388 Charger 182 Durango 161 Challenger 78

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Dodge on this site — 105 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst