2016 Dodge Dart Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
25/100
#4 most-complained of 5 Dart years
The 2016 Dodge Dart ranks 4th out of 5 model years, with a Complaint Index of 25 and a "Good" verdict relative to other Dart years. It has 257 complaints, 5 recalls, and a top problem area of Transmission & Powertrain (32% of complaints).
- Complaints
- 257
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 14 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 24.5 city / 34.5 hwy
Top 2016 Dodge Dart problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain83 (32%)
- Engine73 (28%)
- Other59 (23%)
- Electrical System52 (20%)
- Brakes31 (12%)
- Visibility & Wipers14 (5%)
- Fuel System13 (5%)
- Steering11 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (4%)
- Airbags8 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners describe the shifter cable detaching or the clutch pedal sinking to the floor, sometimes while turning at low speed.
- Some report the front suspension or control arm breaking apart while driving, causing the wheel or tire to come off.
- Several describe brakes failing to respond when depressed, including one case where a parked car rolled away on its own.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including rear-end and T-bone collisions.
- One owner reported the engine catching fire shortly after the car was parked.
- Another described the vehicle suddenly lurching forward without warning while parking.
2016 Dodge Dart recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 19V293000Apr 11, 2019Transmission & Powertrain298,439 vehicles
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.
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.
- NHTSA 17V824000Dec 21, 2017Other61,791 vehicles
Equipment
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.
2016 Dodge Dart fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 34.5 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2016 compared with other Dart years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Dodge Dart reliable?
- Relative to other Dart model years, the 2016 has a Complaint Index of 25 and ranks 4th out of 5 years, earning a "Good" verdict. It has fewer complaints (257) than the 2012, 2014, and 2015 model years.
- What problems does the 2016 Dodge Dart have?
- NHTSA complaints point to Transmission & Powertrain (32% of complaints), Engine (28%), and Electrical System (20%) as the top problem areas, with a median mileage at failure of 48,816 miles.
- Does the 2016 Dodge Dart have transmission recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists two transmission-related recalls (25V674000 and 19V293000) covering a shifter cable that may detach and prevent the vehicle from shifting into park.
- How does the 2016 Dodge Dart compare to other Dart years?
- The 2016 model (Complaint Index 25) performs better than the 2012 (100, Avoid), 2015 (75, Avoid), and 2014 (50, Caution), but not as well as the 2013 (0, Best).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Dodge Dart have?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Dodge Dart, covering transmission shifter cables, a fire extinguisher issue, windshield wiper voltage spikes, and an engine control module software update.