CarComplaints.com Notes: The first year of the new Dodge Dart had a rough start, with owners reporting a disproportionate number of engine and transmission problems.

For transmission, the main complaints are transmission failure & rough shifting. So far, average mileage for transmission failure is 25,000 miles. Not good.

For engine problems, it usually starts with the engine light coming on for any number of reasons: bad sensors, ignition coil replacement, bad wiring, faulty gas cap ... dealers are replacing various components with varying degrees of success, or telling owners they can't duplicate the issue.

8.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
62,850 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (9 reports)
2013 Dodge Dart cooling system problems

cooling system problem

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2013 Dodge Dart Owner Comments

problem #9

Aug 022019

Dart GT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

So we get the car back after the dealership was unable to find anything, even after we put new tires on the car. We got the car back on August 1, 2019 and on our commute the next day, not only were we able to record the car over heating and take pictures of the fact that it was doing it in 60 degree temperatures, after less than 50 miles the back driver's side tire shredded off of the car. At this time we had the car towed and followed to the dealership. We were able to show the conditions and the car overheating. After they replaced the tire, they repeated our drive and sure enough the car overheated to the point that they required a tow truck to retrieve them due to the risk of the car setting fire.

It was determined that the car needed ANOTHER engine, despite the fact that this engine was less than 1 year old. Since we were over the mileage for rental car coverage at this point we could not get a rental and had to borrow a vehicle from a friend until the car repairs were completed. Also we had requested that the recall be completed (the one that came out in April 2019) but they stated this could not be completed because they did not have the part. We got the car back September 3rd, 2019. Cost: $100 due to extended warranty.

While each costs $100, it's kind of ridiculous that we are paying anything at this point, since obviously there is an issue with this car.

- Madeline M., Hagerstown, MD, US

problem #8

Jul 222019

Dart GT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

Due to a family emergency we needed to make a 10 hour drive to go pick up my kids from Nashville, TN. We live in Hagerstown, MD. We are now in the middle of summer and the temperature is around 100 degrees. Less than an hour into the drive, the car begins to overheat. We pull over to let it cool down, but since we really need to get to my kids, we don't have the option to take the car into the dealership, and the issue actually started on a Sunday, so everything, including renting a car, was not an option.

This required us to drive the entire trip with the heat on full blast to take the heat off of the engine while it was over 100 degrees outside. This was made worse by the fact that on the way home we now had my kids in the car and it was hot and raining so we couldn't even keep the windows open.

The next day we took the car into the dealership and they stated that there was no issue and they could not repeat the problem. We gave them the specifics of the conditions when we noticed the problem would mostly occur and they stated that they could not reproduce the issue until we replaced our tires because they were too dangerous. We had them replace the tires, but they stated that they still did not see a problem. Cost: $800 for new tires.

- Madeline M., Hagerstown, MD, US

problem #7

Apr 152019

Dart GT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,000 miles

So my fiancee starts a new job. On his 2nd day of work, he calls saying there is no AC in the car. Not a huge issue as it was still kind of cool out, but still - wth!

The next day we car pooled together and on the way home the car starts over heating. Both the coolant level and the oil pressure are through the roof! And there is no air conditioning.

We pull over and have the car towed back to the dealership because we didn't want to damage anything with everything running so hot. The next day the dealership calls and says that the clamps to the hoses were leaking and that the coolant was spilling out. These are the same hoses that are not even a year old, but they need to be replaced. Cost: $100 due to warranty.

- Madeline M., Hagerstown, MD, US

problem #6

Jun 192019

Dart GT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

So at this point, we have had the car back and forth due to it over heating 3 times since April. Each time the dealership could not repeat the problem so they stated that there was nothing wrong. However, on our way back from a family event at our work location, the car began to overheat to the point that we now had to turn the heater on in 90 degree temperatures to try to make it to our house. We took it back into the dealership at this time and they again could not find anything wrong. We got an oil change and had them flush the radiator to see if that would help. Cost: Oil change and basic maintenance costs. But... stay tuned...

- Madeline M., Hagerstown, MD, US

problem #5

Jul 292018

Dart GT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

So, we last left off when we just got our Dart back after a marathon engine replacement that took over a year to complete. We received the car back July 25, 2018. On July 29, 2018 while my fiancee was driving back from visiting his son, he noticed that the car had no air-conditioning and that it began to overheat. He got it back home thinking it was just because it was an overly hot day and since it was a new engine, maybe it just needed to work out some kinks. However, the next day on his way to a doctor's appointment, the car overheated around 2 miles outside of where he needed to go. Since this appointment had taken months for him to get (specialist), he walked the remaining way to his appointment and then arranged for it to be towed to the dealership.

The dealership stated that the water pump was malfunctioning and that all of the hoses needed to be replaced. They provided a rental car from Enterprise and he was on his way. Unfortunately, this appointment was around 75 miles away from the house, so it's not the most convenient location. The Dodge dealer also argued about the need to provide a rental because they said that it wouldn't take too long to repair. But again, 75 miles away. By the time they had all of the parts, the repair took over 2 weeks, and during that time my fiancee had gone into Septic shock and into ICU so he was unable to get his car back right away. The dealership charged him a storage fee of $85 per day and the repair itself cost $100 with the warranty.

However, we now had a new water pump and hoses due to this. Car returned as of Aug 25, 2018.

- Madeline M., Hagerstown, MD, US

problem #4

Jun 272016

Dart SXT 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,876 miles

It just strafed this around the 27 of June and is still not cooling off. It's not a cold cold air like it's always been. Not sure why

- jmanser, Rocky, OK, US

problem #3

Jan 132014

Dart Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Well, I just want my car to be fixed correctly so that I can actually enjoy it. Not worry as to when it will happen again. I think it's bogus that after just having the car for 5 months that it breaks down. Very agitating.

- Beatriz S., Cypress, TX, US

problem #2

Feb 042014

Dart SXT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles

I purchased this car in October 2013 with 210 miles on it. At first I noticed the heat wasn't working as well as it should. The next day on my way into work, it was -8 outside and the engine malfunction indicator went off and the engine overheat indicator. I had to pull off the road for fear my engine would blow up. The dealership wanted me to call the tow company and I told them to do so. They blamed it on a faulty thermostat, called it a "Star" problem and did a coolant flush. The car has been leaking red fluid ever since they made their "repair."

- Stacy W., Cold Brook, NY, US

problem #1

May 102013

Dart Limited

  • CVT transmission
  • 598 miles

Really a car I had for 6 days with only 598 miles and the cooling sensor goes kaput and the engine overheats? Been in the shop for over a week and the are still waiting to find a solution.

- Bailey P., Pdx, OR, US

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