Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Dodge Dart owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power. In addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The contact was unsure about what part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that three years later, while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle began to independently slide to the right. As a result, the contact crashed into a pole and the air bags failed to deploy. The ABS and anti slide warning light illuminated. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to an auto body repair center for repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. While driving 10 MPH, the accelrator pedal seized and the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact stated that there were no injuries sustained in the crash. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 31,000.
Vehicle threw an error message on the LED dashboard about servicing the transmission. Unable to place car in reverse or drive. After messing with it for a while (shutting vehicle off and turning back on, pausing for a few minutes) the vehicle would finally work again. This seemed to happen during the middle of the year and towards winter with the recall eventually taking place. (2014). I argued with the dealership to provide something for transportation since I had no other options. After arguing and finally getting a rental they offered to pay 3 days. It took them multiple days to look into the issue and they found low transmission fluid. There was a software update to take care of the recall as well. This year almost 6 months since the last incident the same issues are occurring. About two weeks ago I came across the same issues. …
We've had issues with the car since day one of driving it off the lot but the dealership didn't want to do their job here about 3 months ago we were in the process of moving and my fiancee had the car floored I thought for sure my family was going to lose their lives because the car didn't have the power to speed up its not the first time and my family lives comes first we've tried getting it resolved and even tried to use it as a trade it at another dealership and they refuse to even touch it the car had already 43000 miles on it when we drove it off the lot and 5 days after having it the shifter cable popped off and since then its been problems after problems and there's so much more wrong with it and since June its been sitting I refuse to have my family hurt do to a malfunctioning car my fiancee [redacted] name is also on the paperwork from dealership amongst we've contacted …
The hydraulic shift actuator will fail - oftentimes/seemingly in the heat & sun after prolonged exposure. This causes the vehicle to a. If it is not driving, you will get the "service transmission error" and the vehicle will not turn on; b. If you are driving, shifting becomes dangerous and erratic. Note: this isn't covered under your warranty because it has likely expired. If you have a third party warranty, you will need to "prove the failure". With that being said, this appears to happen towards the afternoon/evening in my case (when it's the hottest and has sat in the sun all day). It has shifted erratically on me multiple over the last few weeks - I am highly suspect that this part May become a future recall part. My vehicle is under 47,000 miles, so this should not be an issue. Considering other transmission problems, I would be aware. …
While driving on the mountain roads to driving on the freeway to driving any where my turbo cuts off and I lose almost all power causing me to loose power going up a steep hill and almost get rear ended at least 3 times. Further more when I'm getting ready to merge onto the freeway and it cuts out causing me to almost be hit by truckers. I get a burning smell coming from the engine bay smells almost like oil or wire smell. My speed control is non functioning and my ebrake is also [redacted] near inoperable. I want to know why there hasn't been a total lemon law for 2013 Dodge darts they are not safe to drive for the owner and anyone else on the road . So if this is a national highway transportation safety administration why is it not recalled!!!!! …
I have taken this vehicle into elk grove Dodge 4 times for the transmission safety recall. Each time the transmission goes out. June 15, 2018 was the last time the transmission went out. Elk grove Dodge replaced the transmission.with approximately 59,893 miles on the car. Approximately 1.5 months ago 6 months later I was on the free way and all of a sudden the vehicle jumped out of gear and went into neutral. I then lost power to the engine and almost crashed into the center divide. I contacted elk grove Dodge when I finally got home with the vehicle. The service manager advised me that they were not going to honor their warranty even if it was under safety recall. I contacted Dodge resolutions dept. Spoke to a guy by the name of chance. This guy is taking his dear sweet time in helping me. This vehicle is a lemon and Chrysler is starting to refuse to do anything about this problem.
There's an active recall on my 2013 Dodge Dart aero for the shifting cable bushing. I was driving home from work and my traction control light came on, I lost the ability to accelerate, my car wasn't registering it was in park so I couldn't turn it off. I had it towed to a dealership on main street in norristown, pa. Mopar said the part won't be shipped to dealers for the recall until the end of August so they want to put another faulty part in. They are telling me I have to pay for it and mopar says they are not doing at repayments. They have also refused to give me a loaner car in the mean time. I don't feel as a consumer that I should have to pay for this or a rental because this is a recall issue. It is not safe to drive this car. I was very lucky no one else was on the road when mine failed, and that I was able to pull over safely without harming myself or anyone else.
"dode Dart recall" I received a postage a few months ago about a recall for my Dart, everytime I have tried to contact allstar about the recall they have informed me that the parts have yet to arrive., I have had my car a year and a half. Currently everytime I start my car it is saying service transmission on the dash. On several ocassions the car has automatically went into the neural shift, while driving causing me to completly stop in the middle of traffic!!!!!I have almost been into about 4 accidents because of the glitch with my transmission, the air also will work and blow out hot air on one side. Everytime I stop at a stop sign the car struggles to pull off causing my car to jerk tremendously I am destined to get this issued resolved . Allstar still have not contacted me back about the recall, I need my car fixed asap.
While driving on the highway in the fast lane, my gas pedal went all the way to the floor and my car lost all acceleration and steering became hard to turn. When this happened most of my car engine lights were blinking and when I placed the car in park the vehicle didn't notice it was in park. Thankfully I was able to get off to the emergency shoulder. I took the car into the dealership where they told me there was a recall notice in August 26th which was just sent out to Dodge Dart owners. The dealership told me it would cost me 1,500-2,000 to fix the problem, money which I do not have so I traded in my car with negative equity, and the dealership, I believe was very non-professional and took advantage of the situation. They also showed me an incorrect nada price chart for the trade-in value to my car.
Acceleration complaints in other Dart years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2012 Dodge Dart?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2012 Dodge Dart, 4% of the model year's 1,081 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Dart acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2012 Dodge Dart, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Dart acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.