Best and worst Dodge Dart years — which to avoid

After the previously retired model produced from 1959 to 1976, Dodge re-introduced Dart as a compact sedan which is nowadays looking pretty convenient for a used car. However, picking a used one isn’t so easy since there have been some Dodge Dart PF years to avoid.

If you wish to buy the absolute best one, our team has used reputable sources like NHTSA records to determine the best years to buy and worst Dodge Dart years to avoid. We’ll give you our findings through this all-in guide with a focus on Dart recalls, commonly found problems, and reliability ratings as stated by previous Dart owners so you can make up your mind more easily.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Dodge Dart years

While crafting this guide, our team stuck to verified and double-checked ownership submissions and reports on Dodge Dart as a model. We’ve ranked the Dart years from most reliable to worst-rated while considering the most common issues Dodge Dart recalls, and complaints listed on NHTSA.

However, that was just our starting point as we also evaluated the model years through the lens of real driver impressions that we found on car review sites like Edmunds, KBB, and forums like Reddit or DodgeForum. Based on the number of reported issues and our findings, we were able to come up with the following list:

Most common Dodge Dart problems

The reboot of the Dodge Dart caused mixed feelings among automotive enthusiasts, but numbers don’t lie. That’s why our team scoured all the records and submissions on problems and complaints that made the 2013 and 2014 model years so bad, and these are the main details:

1. Automatic transmission problems

The issue with the six-speed automatic transmission affected pretty much every Dodge Dart produced from 2013 to 2016. Luckily, there was a recall in 2019, but that doesn’t make the problem disappear if the car hasn’t gone through a recall for some reason. That’s why you have to check this with the previous owner, and we recommend you stay away from the models equipped with this transmission.

There are plenty of other options including a 6-speed manual, so you’ll, either way, be able to find a decent replacement. Problems with the automatic shifter include transmission slipping and improper gear selection due to a faulty shifter cable. Because of this, the gearbox may not be in the mode that you selected, causing a rollaway risk if the gearbox doesn’t recognize the “park” mode.

2. Bad brake boosters

Another common issue for Dodge Dart as a model was in the braking system problem and it revolved around the reduced braking performance of the car. Poor brake pressure and reduced braking performance are all symptoms of bad brake boosters, and this issue was common for various Dart model years.

Things got better for the 2016 model which is the final production year, so at least you can avoid the braking system issues by going for one of these.

3. Problems with the turbocharged engine stalling

As mentioned, the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine was one of the best options in terms of lower fuel consumption and decent performance. However, it was also prone to premature failure due to lower temperatures that caused the engine to stall.

It was an inconvenience that many Dodge Dart owners have experienced, and there was a recall in 2013 regarding this issue in the 2013 model Dart. The engine control unit got reprogrammed by the dealership and situations like this didn’t repeat after that. So, you have two options here – either buy a model that’s confirmed to have gone through the recall or get a 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter Dart instead.

4. Tire pressure monitoring system faults

Finally, the last major issue that Dodge Dart drivers have experienced over the years is the matter of a faulty tire pressure monitoring system. It made many drivers wonder how to reset the tire pressure light since it was either falsely glowing up on the dash, or completely inoperable.

As a remedy to this issue, Chrysler replaced the low-line TPMS system with a high-line system in affected vehicles and it’s important to find a car that has been through this recall. An inoperable tire pressure monitoring system could be a threat to driving safety, and that’s why it’s so crucial to inspect this system before purchase.

Worst Dodge Dart years to avoid

After going through the main Dodge Dart problems, it’s crucial to move on and check the model years that are simply not worth your attention due to reliability issues. So, are you wondering what are the worst Dodge Dart years to avoid?

The worst Dodge Dart years are 2013 and 2014, and we’ll take a closer look at why those two received the most complaints below.

First-generation Dodge Dart PF (2013-2014 model years)

Out of all the Dodge Dart model years since the reboot of the model, the 2013 Dart was by far the worst. It received quite a lot of complaints and the failing automatic transmission along with the turbocharged engine issue caused a lot of bad impressions.

The 2013 model was also affected by problems such as the transmission suddenly shifting to neutral mode even though that wasn’t the action of the driver. On top of the engine and transmission-related issues, Dodge Dart owners also experienced problems with engine oil leaks and difficulties starting the car.

Overall, this model received the most complaints, and even if you avoid the turbocharged engine and go for the manual transmission, you may still experience other problems. The 2014 model got a bit better, but it still received a lot of complaints because of the faulty brake boosters and transmission control module. Also, 2014 is the model year where it all started regarding the TPMS problems, so that’s another thing to have in mind when looking to buy one of these.

What are the best Dodge Dart years to buy?

Having in mind that the Dodge Dart was only produced for four model years after the reboot, it’s easy to divide the production years between good and bad. Now that we’ve gone through the worst model years, it’s time we get to the best Dart PF years:

• 2015
• 2016

Naturally, we’ll go through the details that made these two a lot better when compared to the 2013 and 2014 model years, and we’ll outline our findings as well as the reasons below.

2015 Dodge Dart

The 2015 model was a refreshment in the latest Dart generation lineup as it had a lot of the problems of the 2013 and 2014 models solved. For one, it had far fewer engine complaints, and records of the engine dying off completely like with the previous two are almost extinct for this one.

It’s also a testament to the car’s dependability that the second most commonly reported issue is related to interior accessories and their power supplies, rather than the engine and the transmission like on those two. Finally, electrical issues were common here, but only regarding flickering dashboard lights and battery lights which all happened due to a malfunction, so it wasn’t anything that serious.

2016 Dodge Dart

Overall, the 2016 model received the least complaints over the years and it’s the safest option among the various Dart models. Our advice would be to always try to get a 2016 model with a manual transmission if possible.

This way you can completely rest assured that you won’t have to do expensive transmission repairs, or sudden rollaway in case the shift cable fails like in previous models as there have also been recalls in the meantime. That being said, the 2016 model is the most reliable Dodge Dart PF model year ever produced with the least amount of complaints, and

Is the Dodge Dart worth buying?

Ultimately, Dodge Dart is only worth buying if you go for the final production year. While it’s not less reliable than the other models within this class, it still costs a bit more to service and keeps properly maintained.

This doesn’t mean that Dart is a bad model – if you choose a 2015 or 2016 one, you’ll get quite a reliable compact and sporty sedan for an affordable price. Just make sure to avoid the 6-speed automatic one that requires frequent repairs.

If you are considering compact cars check out our articles like Chevy Cruze years to avoid, Ford Focus years to avoid, and Hyundai Elantra years to avoid. Our reviews aim to spotlight those years that might be wise to avoid, informed by a blend of reliability records, owner complaints, and recall histories.