2012 Dodge Dart Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Dodge Dart.

< older2013
Complaints
1,533
Crashes
96
Fires
29
Injuries
51
Fatalities
4
Recalls
6

Worst 2012 Dodge Dart Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1446 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:54,073 mi
Crash-related:11
Fires:4
#2252 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:39,575 mi
Crash-related:26
Fires:3
#3169 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:49,527 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:6
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Dodge Dart.

Transmission / Drivetrain
446
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
4
Avg Miles
54,073
Brakes
252
complaints
Crashes
26
Fires
3
Avg Miles
39,575
Electrical Faults
169
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
6
Avg Miles
49,527
Engine Problems
163
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
7
Avg Miles
39,709
Airbags
67
complaints
Crashes
25
Fires
1
Avg Miles
54,981
Unintended Acceleration
41
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
52,210
Steering Defects
36
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
39,644
Wipers & Visibility
31
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
72,238
Electronic Stability Control
29
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
56,250
Wheel Issues
25
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
25,817
Hydraulic Brakes
23
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
34,275
Seat Belt Issues
21
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
69,801
Tire Defects
21
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
16,106
Fuel System
18
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
50,857
Headlight/Taillight Failures
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
33,396
Body Structure
11
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
57,913
Suspension Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
38,794
Parking-Brake Issues
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
35,032
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
5,000
Gasoline Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brake Master Cylinder
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Dodge Dart. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2012 Dodge Dart

6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~440,720 vehicles.

19V293000Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift · Automatic Transmission
~298,439 affected

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.

15V800000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
~105,425 affected

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured February 27, 2012 to January 23, 2014 and equipped with either a 2.0L or 2.4L engine. In affected vehicles, engine oil from the vacuum pump may seep into the brake booster, damaging a component within the brake booster.

15V542000Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
~23,564 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured February 24, 2012, to June 16, 2015. The affected vehicles may experience failure of the transmission control module (TCM), causing the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral.

13V555000Air Bags:side/window
~374 affected

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured May 10, 2013, through August 24, 2013 and equipped with the Mopar 13 trim package. In the affected vehicles, the front seat mounted side airbags (SAB) may not have been properly installed into the seat.

13V238000Transmission / Drivetrain
~12,872 affected

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured March 1, 2012, through February 28, 2013 and equipped with a 1.4L MultiAir turbo engine and dual dry clutch transmission. These vehicles may experience an engine stall when the temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit or colder.

13V124000Parking Brake
~46 affected

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured on November 27, 2012. Some vehicles may have been built with incorrect rear brake calipers, which could result in an inoperable parking brake.

Other Dodge Dart Years

2012 Dodge Dart — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2012 Dodge Dart reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2012 Dodge Dart has 1,533 NHTSA complaints, 96 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 446 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 Dodge Dart?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (446 complaints, avg 54,073 mi); Brakes (252 complaints, avg 39,575 mi); Electrical Faults (169 complaints, avg 49,527 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Dodge Dart?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 47,521 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2012 Dodge Dart?
NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Dodge Dart include 96 crash-related reports, 29 fire reports, 51 injuries, and 4 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2012 Dodge Dart have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 440,720 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2012 Dodge Dart?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (transmission / drivetrain) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Dodge Dart reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2012 Dodge Dart

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