2013 Dodge Dart Problems and Complaints

2013 Dodge Dart Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

Senior Editor,

Updated on August 7, 2024

Marking the entry of an all-new compact sedan from Dodge, the 2013 Dart is far from perfect. Though its capacious build, pristine safety scores, and potent feature list make it instantaneously likable, other performance elements might not sit well with the traditional buyers in the segment. The ride quality is rather jittery and the acceleration from the base engine seems substandard. Even its reliability falls in a similar ballpark. Succumbing to the notion of new vehicles come with a higher number of problems, the American sedan has 1,242 complaints registered to its name. Though its 6 recalls do not seem worrisome, most of the complaints directly deal with the mechanical build of the vehicle and require constant corrections.

The 2013 Dodge Dart price starts at around $15,995 and in its segment, it competes against seasoned rivals like the Honda Civic, the Mazda 3, and the Toyota Corolla. Can the newest inclusion in the market hold stick to some of the buyer’s favorites when the overall experience is concerned? Let’s find out.

2013 Dodge Dart User Complaints and Problems

Safety Complaints

Illumination of safety warning lights: In several cases listed on NHTSA, buyers of the 2013 Dodge Dart have reported the passenger airbag and seat belt warning lights illuminating inadvertently. While the former happens due to an issue with the wiring harness and can interfere with the deployment of the airbag, complainants have recorded the seat belt warning displaying despite the passenger being buckled. Nonetheless, both issues pose several safety concerns and can increase the risk of an injury in case of a crash.
Non-deployment of airbags: In the event of a crash, several owners have also reported the failure of the airbags to deploy, despite the impact warranting their need. As a result, occupants have sustained injuries, which require medical attention.

Electric System Complaints

Draining battery: The 2013 Dodge Dart battery problems have been excessively reported by buyers on both official and unofficial forums. In most cases, users have reported the battery draining excessively, which requires the owners to either jump-start their vehicle or replace the existing one. While there are no known causes for the problem, in some listed cases, the battery malfunction happens due to the key remaining stuck in the ignition.
Malfunctioning infotainment system: In the Dodge Dart electrical problems list, buyers have reported the central touchscreen and dashboard screen flickering and losing power occasionally. This makes it difficult for the driver to comprehend the vehicular information and access basic functionalities like radio and navigation. In other known cases, users have also reported Bluetooth disconnecting regularly, which can irk most occupants.
Failing windshield wipers: In its debut iteration, buyers of the 2013 Dart have also reported the windshield wipers turning on independently, when the buyers use the turn signals. In most cases, complainants have recorded the wipers working without any input, and currently, there is no known solution to the issue.

Mechanical Complaints

Illumination of check engine light: The 2013 Dodge Dart engine light problems are highly recurring.Randomly, buyers have reported the check engine light illuminating, which is followed by the vehicle shifting to limp mode, losing power, and slowing down excessively. Where a diagnosis has been conducted, a failure of the turbo under boost has been attributed as the underlying cause. While it is a common problem, there is no solution available to the buyers as of now.
Stalling of engine: The 2013 Dodge Dart engine problems deal with its loss of power. In several cases, buyers have reported theengine losing its motive power and stalling inadvertently. While no specific reason is known, sometimes the engine fails due to excessive oil consumption, while in other situations, an error in the transmission or the suspension system can also be an underlying cause.
Vehicle shifts to Neutral: In the Dodge Dart problems list, complainants have reported the vehicle shifting into “Neutral” inadvertently. This happens due to a failure of the transmission control module (TCM), which makes it difficult to control and drive the vehicle. To deal with the issue, Dodgehas introduced a recall, referenced by NHTSA ID 15V542000.
Failure of transmission unit: The 2013 Dodge Dart transmission problems are manifold. Apart from the failure of the TCM, buyers have also reported the vehicle failing to engage in gears and recognizing when the transmission is in “Park”. This happens due to the detachment of the shifter cable from the transmission. Currently, there is one recall dealing with the issue, referenced by NHTSA ID 19V293000. However, its scope includes the units of the compact sedan equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission only.
Stuck clutch: In the units of the 2013 Dart equipped with a manual transmission, complainants have reported the clutch getting stuck, when it is fully depressed. As a result, the vehicle fails to engage and shift between gears, which causes it to deliver an erratic performance.
Malfunctioning braking system: Buyers of the 2013 Dodge Dart have also recorded the brake pedal either becoming too hard or too soft when it is depressed. As a result, the braking capabilities are hampered and the vehicle nonetheless longer than usual to come to a halt. This can happen due to warped rotors or brake pads or the failure of the power brake booster. While replacement is the solution for the former concern, Dodge has introduced a recall to deal with the contaminated brake boosters.
Failure of power steering: The 2013 Dodge Dart power steering problems are not as widespread as other complaints on the list. While in motion, some users have noted the steering wheel locking up and losing its power steering functionality, which makes it difficult to control the vehicle.
Possible tire blowout: In the units equipped with the Kumho Solus KH 25 tires, buyers have reported the sidewall developing bubbles. These bubbles may break or crack the sidewall, which can result in the tire blowing out, consequently, increasing the risk of loss of control.

2013 Dodge Dart Recalls

S. No	Date	NHTSA ID	Issues Noticed	Additional Remarks	Remedy
1.	11th Apr 2019	19V293000	Detachment of Shifter Cable Bushing	Due to the failure of the shifter cable bushing, the shift cable might separate from the transmission, which can result in the vehicle rolling away or not engaging gears as intended.	Dealers will replace the transmission side shifter cable bushing, free of cost.
2.	25th Nov 2015	15V800000	Contamination of power brake booster	In vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.4L engines, engine oil from the vacuum pump may enter the brake booster, resulting in damage to a component.	Upon inspection of the brake booster for oil, dealers will replace the vacuum pump, vacuum tube assembly, brake booster, and master cylinder, if necessary.
3.	25th Aug 2015	15V542000	Transmission Control Module failure	Due to the failure of the transmission control module, the vehicle might shift into neutral unexpectedly.	Dealers will replace the TCM and bracket, free of cost.
4.	6th Nov 2013	13V555000	Improper deployment of the side airbag	Due to improper installation, the side airbags might not deploy as intended in case of a crash.	Upon inspection, dealers will reinstall the side airbags, if necessary, free of cost.
5.	4th June 2013	13V238000	Possible engine stall in cold temperatures	In vehicles equipped with the 1.4L turbo engine and dual-clutch transmission, the engine might stall when the temperature falls below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.	Dealers will reprogram the Power Control Module (PCM), free of cost.
6.	3rd April 2013	13V124000	Inoperable parking brake	Due to an error in the manufacturing of the rear calipers, the parking brake may be rendered inoperable.	Dealers will replace the affected brake calipers, free of cost. The recall began on 29th April 2013.

Should you buy the 2013 Dodge Dart?

Marking its debut into a populated segment, the Dodge Darthas abundant expectations to live up to. Though it does stand out with its enticing exterior fascia, potent feature list, and intuitive controls, the reliability of the newest inclusion remains rather doubtful. It has well over 1,000 registered complaints and though the recalls do address recurring concerns, some issues have no available solutions. Additionally, the ownership experience is further deteriorated by its unimpressive ride quality. So, for us, it is better to let go of the American compact vehicle, and rather choose the 2013 Mazda 3, which promises a more comprehensive experience.

Users Opinions on 2013 Dodge Dart

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K
KevinT
• 02/01/2023
Rating:
(1 Out Of 5 stars)
... was doing. Had several more visits like this over the life of the vehicle with no resolution until the warranty ran out. Dodge corporate (FCA) was no help & suggested taking it to another dealer and paying them to have the vehicle diagnosed as it was out of warranty by this time. I ended up taking them to court under the lemon law & settled with them buying the car back at the original price. It tookRead More
Source: edmunds
R
RoKo
• 28/04/2022
Rating:
(1 Out Of 5 stars)
"Never buy a first year model". I should have heeded those words but suddenly found myself needing a new car in the summer of 2013 when my trusty 11 year old Neon was totaled by a hit and run driver. First tRead More
Source: edmunds
S
Shelby
• 06/04/2022
Rating:
(1 Out Of 5 stars)
... vehicle. A couple months after purchase we noticed a recall for the tcm sensor. We had it fixed and then the problems occured. At 45,000 miles, it had poor exceleration, made horrible noises when shifting, and I couldn't sit in traffic without smelling my gears in the transmission burning. When I went to Dodge to address the issue, they never helped me because I couldn't prove that it was happening. And sinceRead More
Source: edmunds