Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended it rolled down the driveway into the neighbor's property and crashed into a tree. There were no reported injuries, fire or police report filed. The vehicle is at the contact's residents. The contact called the local dealer who informed her about NHTSA Campaign number 19V293000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 145,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shifted into neutral without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift into drive or reverse with a message stating that the gear was not available. The service transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local transmission and a diagnostic test was performed. The contact was informed that the dual clutch was inoperable. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that after further diagnostic testing, it was determined that the Transmission Control Module and actuator had failed. The contact stated that as per the Mopar website, the vehicles was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V542000 (Power Train). …
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a gasoline odor on the interior of the vehicle, after which several unknown warning lights on the instrument panel started flickering. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway to shut off the vehicle, after which the vehicle failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the alternator and the ignition switch. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic, who then diagnosed a failure with the transmission control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V542000 (Power Train) but the VIN was not included. …
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 19V293000 (Power Train) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The local dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the brake pedal was soft while depressed and hesitated to respond while driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they would follow up with her once the parts were available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. Parts distribution disconnect
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the auto shift was not available message was displayed. The vehicle then downshifted to 1st gear. The contact was able to pull over and waited approximately 30 minutes before restarting the vehicle and was able to drive home. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V542000 (Power Train). The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was informed of failure and told the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated while driving approximately 40-50 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound. The contact stated that he had heard the cable brake and noticed while depressing the brake pedal that the vehicle was not decelerating. The contact stated that the flywheel had detached from the vehicle and the clutch was damaged. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake booster was leaking and that the brake cable linkage needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was a loud abnormal pop sound coming from the vehicle. The contact noticed that the clutch was all the way to the floor and that the gear shifter was loose and would not shift out of gear. In addition, there was an abnormal burning from the clutch. The contact had to slowly coast and veered to the side of the road. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence; then towed to a local dealer who diagnosed that the shifter cable and pressure plate were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,420.
The contact's son owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while his son was pulling out of a parking lot, the RPM started fluctuating. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle surged. The transmission was slipping significantly while driving to his residence. The message "Service Transmission" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the failure was associated with an unknown transmission recall. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 172,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and RPM's decreased briefly before returning to normal functionality. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a failure with the HVAC system. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure; however, the contact was advised that the infotainment unit might need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate and loss motive power with the accelerator pedal depressed. The vehicle is not drivable. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the manufacturer nor dealer was notified of the failure. The contact mentioned NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V542000 (Power Train), 13V238000 (Power Train) as possible solutions to the failure however, the Vin was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 77,286.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
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.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured February 24, 2012, to June 16, 2015. The affected vehicles may experience failure of the transmission control module (TCM), causing the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the TCM and bracket, free of charge. Chrysler issued an interim notification to owners on October 14, 2015. The recall began on January 15, 2016.
Power train
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured March 1, 2012, through February 28, 2013 and equipped with a 1.4L MultiAir turbo engine and dual dry clutch transmission. These vehicles may experience an engine stall when the temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit or colder.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.
Transmission complaints in other Dart years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2012 Dodge Dart?
NHTSA has 454 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2012 Dodge Dart, 42% of the model year's 1,081 complaints. The component named most often is clutch assembly (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Dart transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-293 (floor shift, Apr 11, 2019); NHTSA recall 15V-542 (control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), Aug 25, 2015); NHTSA recall 13V-238 (power train, Jun 4, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Dart transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 4 fires and 3 injuries and 2 deaths to transmission & drivetrain 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.