Verdict
2016 Dodge Dart: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2016 Dodge Dart — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
More reported complaints than most sedan.
Owners filed 245 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 82% of 2016 sedans. Power Train leads the reports (29%). 5 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2016 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
245
Reports to NHTSA, 2016
Safety recalls
5
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
28
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 82% of 2016 sedans
The bar is this car's percentile among 2016 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Power Train issues lead owner complaints (29% of 245 reports), followed by unknown or other (20%).
+ 9 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 245 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11190311, ODI 11749303, ODI 11744869, ODI 11737494, ODI 11737383.
Recalls(5)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Power TrainSep 2025 · 25V674000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: A loss of park function may allow the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Vehicles that were previously repaired under recall 19V293 will need to have the new remedy completed. The remedy is currently under development. Interim notification letters, explaining the safety risk, were mailed November 6, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is A0C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 16, 2025.
Power TrainNov 2019 · 19V293000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: If the shifter cable detaches from the transmission, the vehicle may not perform the shifts performed by the driver. Additionally, despite selecting PARK with the shifter, the vehicle may roll away. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash.
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. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission side shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 5, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V34.
VisibilityAug 2016 · 16V813000Details +Close −
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured April 13, 2015, to June 7, 2016. Due to voltage spikes caused by a problem within the windshield washer pump, the windshield wiper circuit may fail.
Risk: Without functioning windshield wipers, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield washer pumps, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S83.
Electrical System · 16V113000Details +Close −
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured July 25, 2015, to December 16, 2015 and equipped with a 2.0L engine and a manual transmission. Additionally included are certain 2015 Dodge Dart vehicles similarly equipped and brought in for dealer service between September 15, 2015 and January 12, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the powertrain control module that monitors the engine torque output may be missing a backup layer of software.
Risk: Without a backup layer of software, the control module may fail to prevent an un-commanded torque event, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Engine Control Module software, free of charge. The recall began on March 25, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S10.
Equipment · 17V824000Details +Close −
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
1 NHTSA investigation on record
Investigations are agency reviews, not findings that a vehicle is defective.
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 transmissions and manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automotive US LLC (FCA US). If the shifter cable becomes detached from the transmission, the transmission gear position may not match the driver’s intended gear selection. This mismatch could result in unintended vehicle movement or rollaway when the driver believes the transmission is in PARK, increasing the risk of a crash and/or injury. ODI has received sixty-three (63) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) alleging worn or misadjusted shifter cables and/or shifter cable detachments in subject vehicles that had already received the remedy for Recall 19V-293. Complainants reported incidents of bushing deterioration and detachment, resulting in gear-selection mismatch despite the prior recall repair, raising concerns regarding the effectiveness and durability of the implemented remedy and the adequacy of the recall. ODI’s investigation sought to determine whether the remedy used in recall 19V-293 adequately addressed the cause of the failure and whether other vehicles using the same bushing design might be affected. In response, FCA US and Dura Automotive Systems Inc. (Dura) determined that the repair for Recall 19V-293 did not sufficiently address the issue, and therefore, a safety defect exists in the subject vehicle population. As a result, FCA US and Dura initiated the following recall actions: · Recall 25V-674 (FCA US) is intended to address MY 2013–2016 Dodge Dart vehicles repaired under 19V-293 or otherwise equipped with suspect service parts. Remedy is under development. · Recall 25E-065 (Dura) is intended to address the defect at the equipment level by recalling affected gearshift control cable assemblies distributed as service components. Remedy is under development. The recalls initiated by FCA US (25V-674), and Dura Automotive Systems Inc. (25E-065) were received prior to ODI sending an Information Request (IR) letter to FCA. These two recalls seem to resolve the concerns that prompted investigation RQ25002 by replacing the previously recalled and service-supplied shifter cable assembly with an improved design, currently under development. The vehicle scope concern identified in this query was addressed by the new recalls including all Model Year 2013–2016 Dodge Dart vehicles produced and equipped with the affected shifter cable assembly. Accordingly, ODI is closing Investigation RQ25002. The agency will continue to monitor field performance and recall completion data to evaluate the effectiveness of the new remedy. ODI reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Crash-test ratings
2016 Dodge Dart 4 DR FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dart | 1.4L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 27 | 38 | 31 |
| Dart | 1.4L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM6) | 27 | 36 | 30 |
| Dart | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 25 | 35 | 29 |
| Dart | 2.4L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 22 | 34 | 27 |
| Dart | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 24 | 33 | 27 |
| Dart | 2.4L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 23 | 34 | 27 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
These are affiliate links. TireKick may earn a fee if you use one.
Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2016 Dodge Dart: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2016 Dodge Dart?
Owners filed 245 NHTSA complaints about the 2016 Dodge Dart — more complaints than 82% of comparable 2016 sedans, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2016 Dodge Dart?
The most-reported problem areas are Power Train (29% of complaints) and unknown or other (20%).
How many recalls does the 2016 Dodge Dart have?
5 recalls have been issued that affect the 2016 Dodge Dart, covering components such as power train. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Dodge Dart get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Dodge Dart between 27 and 31 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.