2016 Dodge Dart reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2016 Dodge Dart holds 257 complaints after 11 years, a rate of 21 per year. That is the fewest complaints per year among the 4 Dart years on this site. NHTSA has 5 recalls on file, including Floor shift, Automatic transmission, and Equipment.

2013 Dodge Dart — Photo by Alexander-93, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

257

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (83 of 257), then Engine (66) and Electrical system (48). Those filings include 14 that report a crash, 4 that report a fire, and 7 that report an injury.

Next to 2015

The 2015 Dart has 525 complaints, 35 per year. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2015.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2016 Dodge Dart. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (5)

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, floor shift 2025-10-09 · NHTSA campaign 25V674000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission 2019-04-11 · NHTSA campaign 19V293000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall Equipment 2017-12-21 · NHTSA campaign 17V824000

Summary 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

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.

Recall visibility, windshield wiper 2016-11-08 · NHTSA campaign 16V813000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall electrical system, software 2016-02-26 · NHTSA campaign 16V113000

Summary 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.

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.

Complaints by component (257 total)

Powertrain

Engine

Electrical system

Service brakes

Fuel and propulsion system

Visibility and wipers

Steering

Speed control

Air bags

Suspension

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Exterior lighting

Wheels

Structure

Back-over prevention

Forward collision avoidance

Visibility

Engine and engine cooling

Hydraulic brakes

Lane departure

Parking brake

Show 13 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that upon shifting into park(P), the transmission failed to respond, and the contact used force to depress the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a complete stop.…"
Powertrain · filed 2026-09-14
"On August 13, 2026, the vehicle was taken to an authorized Dodge dealership for an electrical-system problem at approximately 105,111 miles. The vehicle required a jump start and the battery failed a load test. The…"
Steering, Powertrain, Electrical system · filed 2026-08-27
"The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Dart. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V813000 (Visibility). The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH in inclement weather, the windshield…"
Visibility · filed 2026-08-26
"Shifter went out at HEB had it towed to Dodge and nobody is able to get the part because it doesn’t exist. How did a car get built in 2016 and has a bad shifter and the recall came out 10/2025 and were in 2026 still no…"
Powertrain · filed 2026-08-22
"The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while reversing, the transmission became stuck in reverse(R). The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact disconnected the battery to correct…"
Powertrain · filed 2026-08-18

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Dart	1.4L, 4-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	27	36	30 MPG	$2650
Dart	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	24	33	27 MPG	$2400
Dart	2L, 4-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	25	35	29 MPG	$2250
Dart	1.4L, 4-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	27	38	31 MPG	$2550
Dart	2.4L, 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	23	34	27 MPG	$2400
Dart	2.4L, 4-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	22	34	27 MPG	$2400
Dart Aero	1.4L, 4-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	28	38	32 MPG	$2500
Dart Aero	1.4L, 4-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	28	39	32 MPG	$2500
Dart GT	2.4L, 4-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	23	33	26 MPG	$2500
Dart GT	2.4L, 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	22	31	25 MPG	$2600

Specs and fitment

PF generation, 2013–2016

Body styles Sedan

Oil 5W-20 full synthetic (2.0L and 2.4L; 1.4L turbo may differ) , 4.5 qt capacity

Tire size 225/45R17 (common OEM size)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 25V-674 covers certain 2013-2016 Dodge Dart vehicles: the shifter cable may detach from the transmission, preventing the vehicle from shifting into Park and allowing rollaway. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 19V-293 need the newer remedy; interim notices explain the risk while the final repair is developed. Confirm VIN status through NHTSA or a dealer before relying on an older park-lock repair as complete.

Compare

Previous year 2015 Dodge Dart See every Dodge Dart model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Dodge Dart reliable?

What are common problems with a 2016 Dodge Dart?

Is the 2016 Dodge Dart more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2015 Dart has 525 complaints, 35 per year. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2015.

Has the 2016 Dodge Dart been recalled?

The 2016 Dodge Dart has 5 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 Dodge Dart?

Owners have filed 257 complaints about the 2016 Dodge Dart with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2016 Dodge Dart get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2016 Dodge Dart is 28.6 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a Dodge Dart use?

5W-20 full synthetic (2.0L and 2.4L; 1.4L turbo may differ)

What does NHTSA recall 25V-674 cover on the Dodge Dart?

Recall 25V-674 covers certain 2013-2016 Dodge Dart vehicles: the shifter cable may detach from the transmission, preventing the vehicle from shifting into Park and allowing rollaway.

What generation is the 2014 Dodge Dart?

PF generation (2013-2016).