Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. On one occasion, the contact struck a pole, drove into a ditch, and landed on top of an electrical box. Major damage was sustained to the front end of the vehicle; however, the air bags failed to deploy. The police arrived at the scene, but a report was not filed. The contact sustained injuries to the right of the head and the right elbow, but did not require medical attention. The vehicle was able to be driven from the scene. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V800000 (service brakes, hydraulic) after the failure occurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Dodge Dart. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the contact pulled the vehicle off the road. The transmission failure warning indicator illuminated. After manually restarting the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal sound and noticed flames. The fire department was called and extinguished the flames. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: p017056449. The manufacturer stated that an investigator would inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 37,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. While accelerating from a stop sign at 10 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The dashboard, radio, and other electrical functions failed. The contact attempted to steer the vehicle, but crashed into a parked vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and later to a body shop for repair. The vehicle was not destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 24,723.
Car's engine compartment burst into flames during commute to work 0700 in the morning 10/09/2018, 65 degree day in 35 MPH zone. 54,000 miles on car. Car was moving at 30mph when engine died and car started to smoke from under hood, within 60 seconds flames appeared from hood, my daughter driving the car got out just in time she was the only passenger. Lost all belongings in car.
Tamara recall. I was driving my Dart home from work this evening when I noticed a power loss and a burning smell. Once I pulled car over I realized it was on fire. Fire started just by the battery. The car is a total loss.
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. …
On 3 separate occasions, my 2013 Dodge Dart gt with a 2.4 tiger shark engine with multiair has shut down while the car was moving on the road. The reason for this the dealership told me was due to low oil, which we recently realized uses at least 1/2 quart per 1,000 miles. The dealer says this is within normal limits. They said that before 50,000 miles it is within normal limits to burn 1 quart for every 1000 miles and after 50,000 miles it is normal to burn 1 quart for every 750 miles. This was never divulged to me when I purchased the vehicle. It first did this starting at 35,000 miles. The vehicle now has 42,000 miles. There has never been any oil light or any other engine light that goes on before the vehicle dies. It has left me stranded in the middle of the road in some very dangerous situations. I no longer feel safe driving this car and who would want to buy it from me? …
I have had multiple issues with my car since I got it. I have been through three radios, an entirely new turbo was installed one year after purchasing the car. Then things were going well until recently. I have had the car in the shop about 3 weeks in a row. First it was one of my coils that had become inactive. So while driving it the car shakes and stutters. While driving on the highway I try to hit the gas and the car starts slowing down and shaking. So I had taken it to another shop to look at it because for a new car it is not in my finances to be putting $400 into my car every week. Had to get the part ordered so I am currently driving my car around with one coil inactive. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to eventually restart the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the key fob and the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. In addition, while driving 45 MPH, the contact noticed a burning odor coming from the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the front passenger side dashboard and wiring harness in the glove box were on fire. The contact independently extinguished the fire. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness, carpet, and dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …
Electrical complaints in other Dart years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2012 Dodge Dart?
NHTSA has 175 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Dodge Dart, 16% of the model year's 1,081 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Dart electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 7 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system 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.