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 2016 Dodge Dart owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 while in reverse(R), after the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to move the gear shifter to park(P); however, the shifter cable failed to connect to the transmission. The contact was able to move the shift lever; however, the transmission failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle was stuck in reverse(R). In addition, the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The contact activated the parking brake and left the key inside the ignition. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle remained at the residence unrepaired. …
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 manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that parts were unavailable. …
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the transmission shifter failed to shift out of park. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with transmission shifter cable failure. The contact was informed that the transmission shifter cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V674000 (Power Train); however, parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and several cases were filed. The contact inquired about reimbursement for the out-of-pocket repair. The contact was informed that the reimbursement request was denied because the repair was not performed by the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 54,079.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while scheduling an oil change appointment on the dealer website, the contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V674000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving and depressing the brake pedal to come to a stop, the vehicle jerked and hesitated to respond. Additionally, the contact stated that upon shifting to park(P), the vehicle tugged and hesitated while responding. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
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 of time. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking lot, the vehicle was placed in park, and the vehicle began to roll. The driver entered the vehicle and pulled the emergency brake. A good Samaritan pushed her vehicle out of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact received the recall notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V674000 (Power Train). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the shift cable part was backordered. The vehicle was not repaired. An independent mechanic was contacted who determined the shift cable needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, who confirmed the parts were backordered. The failure mileage was approximately 70,089.
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 yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, her son heard an abnormal popping coming from the engine after the vehicle was started. In addition, while attempting to move the gear shifter, the gear shifter failed to function as intended. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the shifter cable had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V293000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
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.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Dart. The contact stated while at a stop light and shifting into drive(D), the vehicle failed to shift into gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be inspected prior to completing the recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V293000 (Power Train). The contact related the failure to the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
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.
Remedy: Vehicles that were previously repaired under recall 19V293 will need to have the new remedy completed. Dealers will replace the shifter cable assembly and install a cap, free of charge.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Recall 19V-293 Post Remedy Failures
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…
Transmission complaints in other Dart years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Dodge Dart?
NHTSA has 86 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2016 Dodge Dart, 33% of the model year's 261 complaints. The component named most often is shift linkage/cable/rod (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Dodge Dart transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 25V-674 (floor shift, Oct 9, 2025); NHTSA recall 19V-293 (floor shift, Apr 11, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Dodge Dart transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries 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.