The Dodge Dart was discontinued after the 2016 model year, cited as being a “horrible investment” for the automaker by then-CEO Sergio Marchionne, though it’s back in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Nearly 300,000 examples from the 2013-2016 model years are on their way back to the lot following a recent recall announced by the NHTSA regarding a rollaway risk. The Dart wasn’t an extremely popular sedan and often outclassed by its peers, which include the Mazda3, Kia Forte, and Honda Civic.
That said, they did sell a fair few examples during their time, and even in the year 2025. That’s right, Dodge is still pushing brand-new 2013-2016 Dodge Dart examples and has reported a whopping six sales in their 2025 Q3 sales report. Suffice it to say, those six new owners won’t be happy to hear that their new car may be unsafe, nor that they need to return their vehicle for repairs. Let’s see what all the fuss is about.
What Exactly Is Going On With The Dart?
According to the NHTSA’s recall information, certain 2013-2016 Dodge Dart models — those with the automatic transmission — are at risk of rolling away due to an issue regarding a transmission cable. We don’t have to explain why this is dangerous — you park your Dart at the end of the day only to find it in your neighbor’s yard the next morning. The recall details a certain transmission cable detaching and preventing the vehicle from shifting into park, causing a loss of the park function altogether.
The kicker is that Dodge recalled 320,000 Darts in 2019 due to a very similar issue causing rollaway. In 2019, the recall (19V293) detailed transmission cable bushes that could degrade prematurely and lead to the vehicle’s parking function becoming ineffective. Darts recalled at that time will need to journey back to the dealership to undergo a new remedy for the latest rollaway concern — a remedy that has yet to be announced by the automaker.
Dodge Dealerships Are Still Selling Brand-New Darts In 2025
Perhaps they found a few dust-covered Darts stored in a facility somewhere; maybe they’ve been sitting on dealership lots for the past decade. Either way, Stellantis reports that six new Darts were sold from July to September 2025. As mentioned, the remedy for the new rollaway issue hasn’t been announced, though the NHTSA reports that interim notifications explaining safety risk will be mailed out on November 6, 2025, with a second notice being sent out as soon as the remedy is available. Until then, owners are advised to engage the parking brake and ensure their Darts’ gear selector is securely in park before exiting — especially if parked on an incline. Enthusiasts will always recommend going manual when choosing a vehicle, and in this case, it could save you money and potential insurance headaches, as only the automatic transmission-equipped Darts are under recall.
Source: NHTSA