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EnginePart report

2012 Dodge Dart Engine Problems

Complaints
163about this part
Share
15%of 1,081 total for the year
Median mileage
38,500miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 163 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Dodge Dart, 15% of the 1,081 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,500 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 7 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Over three times while driving my autostick not available and service transmission light has come on. Car sputters and comes to a stop. Once it happened on a 23 mile bridge where I was almost in an accident because of it. Dealership has had car over 5 times and the second transmission failed same day I got my car back. I still do not have my car back”

NHTSA complaint #11089954, filed 2018-04, 94,000 miles

“Burned oil and need to put oil in after 750 miles. New engine was put in, but it still have problems. The problem first started 12/4/17. I was driving my car and it completely stop without warning. I took it to the dealer and it was determined that it was an engine issue. After 6 months, the engine was replaced. It was burning oil”

NHTSA complaint #11119398, filed 2018-08, 51,000 miles

“Since march 2019 check engine light has come one 3 times. My car has either stalled in middle of intersection and/or has a bucking sensation and then check engine turns on. This is unacceptable that it keeps occurring. One time they replaced battery, next time recall v34 and again today. There has to be something going on with this model. I do not feel safe.this happens while I am driving.”

NHTSA complaint #11210707, filed 2019-05, 47,000 miles

“My car randomly will not start thinking that it is not in park. This also causes the diagnostic electronics to go haywire. I'm told there is a bushing that will fix this problem, but Dodge refuses to provide this part to my local dealer. The bushing is designed to cause the car to know it is in park so it will start. I'm also told this is a recall issue, but I received no recall notice from Dodge.”

NHTSA complaint #11252621, filed 2019-08, 50,000 miles

“I was driving on a busy highway. Have a manual transmission. Rpms started going up and down,like I was revving the engine,but was not pushing in gas pedal. Put clutch in to get off an exit, and the clutch stuck to the floor and the car would not go into gear. Left on very busy highway with a child!”

NHTSA complaint #11269852, filed 2019-10, 60,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20166726%
201514127%
201410428%
20135118%
201216315%

Other parts of the 2012 Dodge Dart

Transmission and drivetrain
454 complaintsBrakes
281 complaintsElectrical system
175 complaintsOther or unknown
105 complaintsAir bags
68 complaintsVehicle speed control
41 complaintsSteering
37 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
36 complaintsElectronic stability control
29 complaintsWheels
25 complaintsTires
23 complaintsFuel system
22 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Dodge Dart

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology