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.
Best Years to Buy a Dodge Dart
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Dodge Dart Years to Avoid
3 recalls · 410 complaints
14 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
3 recalls · 279 complaints
4 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
4 recalls · 195 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.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 16, 2026.
Dodge Dart — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 4 | 195 | 1 | — | 53 | 55 | 54 | Caution |
| 2015 | 3 | 410 | 14 | — | 37 | 48 | 41 | Avoid |
| 2014 | 3 | 279 | 4 | — | 47 | 42 | 45 | Avoid |
| 2013 | 1 | 181 | 4 | — | 54 | 37 | 48 | 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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Dart to buy?+
The 2013 Dodge Dart scores highest on our Buyer Score (48/100) — combining a reliability score of 54/100 with a value score of 37/100. It has 1 recall and 181 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 3 recalls and 410 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
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.