2015 Dodge Dart Safety Report

The 2015 Dodge Dart presents a mixed safety picture. While it achieved excellent crash test ratings from NHTSA, scoring 5 stars overall, 5 stars for frontal and side impacts, and 4 stars for rollover, its real-world reliability and potential for critical component failures are concerning. With 483 total complaints, including 31 crashes, 7 fires, and 23 injuries, there's a significant volume of reported issues. A major area of concern is the power train, which accounts for 85 complaints and is directly linked to multiple recalls. These recalls address critical issues such as the shifter cable detaching, leading to rollaway risk or inability to shift, and transmission control module failures causing loss of motive power. The high number of complaints related to these issues, even after recall attempts, suggests persistent problems. The most common complaint patterns revolve around the power train and engine. The power train alone accounts for 85 complaints, with an additional 15 complaints specifically mentioning 'POWER TRAIN,ENGINE'. Issues include the vehicle shifting into neutral unexpectedly, inability to shift out of park, and keys getting stuck in the ignition due to the vehicle not recognizing it's in park. The engine also has 47 standalone complaints, with reports of loss of power, high RPMs, and oil consumption. The electrical system is another notable area, with 28 complaints, often intertwined with power train issues, leading to parasitic drains and vehicle shutdowns. The vehicle has been subject to 6 recalls, many of which directly address the most frequently reported problems. For instance, multiple recalls (NHTSA Campaign Numbers 25V674000, 19V293000, 15V461000) target the automatic transmission and shifter cable, aiming to prevent rollaways and loss of motive power. Despite these recalls, numerous complaints indicate that the remedies may not always be effective or readily available, with owners reporting continued issues or difficulties getting repairs. The presence of a recall for a fire extinguisher (EQUIPMENT) is less directly related to vehicle operation but still a safety concern. Overall, while the crashworthiness is high, the operational reliability, particularly concerning the power train, raises significant safety questions.

Our recommendation: Given the high volume of critical power train and electrical complaints, coupled with multiple recalls that haven't fully resolved reported issues, potential buyers should proceed with caution and ensure all recalls have been performed and verified, ideally with a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the transmission and electrical system.