VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Dodge Dart2013–2016

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

🚗 SEDAN
Dodge Dart
2013–2016
A
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
1.0/yr · seg. median 1.8
Safety
Low
19 inj.
✓No open federal investigations
3
Recalls
1,079
Complaints
2016
Best Yr
23
Injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAINAvoid 2015
4
Years Analyzed
3
Total Recalls
1079
Total Complaints
23
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Dodge Dart

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK13yr old
2013
Strong Buy · 80/100
Reliability95/100
Value window51/100
Recalls0
Complaints187
Top issue: POWER TRAIN

Dodge Dart Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2015

1 recall · 413 complaints

14 reported injuries

Top issue: POWER TRAIN

#2 WORST
2014

1 recall · 282 complaints

4 reported injuries

Top issue: POWER TRAIN

#3 WORST
2016

1 recall · 197 complaints

1 reported injury

Top issue: POWER TRAIN

Federal Defect Investigations

NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the Dart became recall.

Recently concluded investigations
RQ25002 · power train · closed Dec 2025→ Became recall

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 25, 2026.

Dodge Dart — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
201611971—
94
69
85
Caution
2015141314—
78
62
72
Avoid
201412824—
88
56
77
Avoid
201301874—
95
51
80
Caution

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Known Dodge Dart Problems

Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.

POWER TRAIN
267
ENGINE
159
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
133
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
128
SERVICE BRAKES
89
STEERING
44
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
36
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
31

Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the Dart compares — best year within each era shown.

2013–2017

Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2016 (Buyer Score 85).

Best: 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year Dart to buy?+

The 2013 Dodge Dart scores highest on our Buyer Score (80/100) — combining a reliability score of 95/100 with a value score of 51/100. It has 0 recalls and 187 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which Dart years have the most problems?+

The 2015, 2014, 2016 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2015 Dart leads with 1 recalls and 413 owner complaints.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common Dart problems?+

The most frequently reported Dodge Dart issues involve: POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.

Deep-Dive Research

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

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