YearToAvoid

2013 Dodge Dart Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#5 most-complained of 5 Dart years

The 2013 Dodge Dart has 282 NHTSA complaints, a Complaint Index of 0, and ranks 5th of 5 model years, earning a "Best" verdict relative to other Dart years. Transmission & Powertrain issues dominate at 55% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 83,500.

Complaints
282
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
7 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29
25 city / 35 hwy

Top 2013 Dodge Dart problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain156 (55%)
  2. Engine60 (21%)
  3. Electrical System59 (21%)
  4. Brakes35 (12%)
  5. Other34 (12%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers20 (7%)
  7. Airbags19 (7%)
  8. Seat Belts11 (4%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (2%)
  10. Fuel System6 (2%)

What owners report

  • Vehicles have shifted out of park unexpectedly while parked, in some cases rolling into structures or other vehicles.
  • The shifter cable bushing has broken, leaving the transmission stuck in park and unable to move.
  • Some owners report the engine surging or accelerating without input, leading to a loss of control.
  • The service airbag warning light stays on continuously and does not clear after driving, even after recall repairs.
  • Emergency brake calipers have stuck and failed to release, causing brakes to rub against rotors and overheat.
  • Brake fluid leaks from the brake cylinder have been diagnosed as a risk of eventual brake failure.
2013 Dodge Dart complaints: complaints filed per quarter462019 Q42020 Q42021 Q42022 Q42023 Q42024 Q42025 Q4
421 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2020 Q3 (46).

2013 Dodge Dart recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V674000Oct 9, 2025Transmission & Powertrain298,439 vehicles

    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.

    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.

2013 Dodge Dart fuel economy and fuel cost

City
25 MPG
Highway
35 MPG
Combined
29 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,500
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2013 compared with other Dart years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Avoid1001,0816—
2013Best0282129
2014Caution50371427
2015Avoid75525627

All Dodge Dart years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Dodge Dart reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Dart has a Complaint Index of 0 and ranks 5th of 5 Dart model years, making it the "Best" year in this data set relative to other Darts.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Dodge Dart?
Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 55% of complaints, followed by Engine problems at 21% and Electrical System issues at 21%. The median mileage at failure for transmission complaints is 83,500.
Does the 2013 Dodge Dart have a transmission recall?
Yes, NHTSA recall 25V674000 covers 2013-2016 Dodge Dart vehicles where the shifter cable may detach from the transmission, preventing the vehicle from shifting into park.
How does the 2013 Dart compare to other Dart years?
The 2013 Dart's Complaint Index of 0 is far lower than the 2012 Dart's index of 100 and the 2015 Dart's index of 75, both rated "Avoid." It also beats the 2014 Dart (index 50, "Caution") and the 2016 Dart (index 25, "Good").
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Dodge Dart?
The 2013 Dart gets 29 mpg combined (25 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500 according to the EPA.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.