The Lemon Index2013 Dodge Dart.
The 2013 Dodge Dart is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 635 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 470, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 1 recall, and it gets 24 to 32 mpg combined. The best Dodge Dart year is 2014.
Lemon alert. 4.7× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2014
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,367 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Dodge Dart year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 23K to 76K miles on the car (999 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 29K–83K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 22K–56K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 23K–70K miles
Recalls 1
- transmission & drivetrain 2025
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 160 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Hands Free Feature Inoperative This bulletin involves updating the Convergence Telematics…
- Front Brake Squeak/Squeal Noise This bulletin involves replacing the front brake rotors, front…
- Rattle From Front Brakes When Driving, Without Brakes Applied This bulletin involves replacing…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedRecall 19v-293 post remedy failures2025
- ClosedBrake power assist failure2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Dart 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2400–2700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
The gear shift is shifted into drive, the transmission delays shifting into gear. When it does shift into gear the car accelerates without pressing the gas peddle. This is the ddc transmission. This is happened at least 3 times
2013 Dodge Dart owner · NHTSA complaint 10765228
More owner reports
I have just had the tcm replaced for the second time. This time the braket was replace but nothing has changed. I still experience transmission problems. My car will still have problem shifting and will not start.
NHTSA complaint 10872449
I was informed of the vacuum brake recall. I received my first letter in december 2015. It is now almost april and still parts are not available for this recall. Fca should be past the deadline to get these cars fixed.
NHTSA complaint 10852016
Quick answers
Is the 2013 Dodge Dart reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 4.7× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 470; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Dart year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2013 Dodge Dart problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (36%), brakes (32%) and electrical (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Dodge Dart have?
1 safety recall (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Dodge Dart get?
24 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Dodge Dart safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2013 Dodge Dart problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 23,000 and 76,000 miles. The middle report was at 47,000 miles, from 999 complaints.
Does the 2013 Dodge Dart have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 36% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 Dodge Dart cost in fuel a year?
About $2400 to $2700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Dodge Dart have?
1.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Dodge Dart year is better than the 2013?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works