Are Dodge Darts Reliable?
I am a serial entrepreneur and a consumer advocate. When I’m not helping car buyers, I love working on ventures that have a positive impact.
I run a cause marketing agency and serve on the board of Vayu Global Health where we are disrupting the medical industry and preventing the needless deaths of mothers and babies during childbirth.
According to Repair Pal’s Reliability Ratings, Dodge Dart has a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, sitting in the 28th position out of 36 compact cars. J.D. Power’s reliability rating gives the Dart an average score of 74/100. Not too shabby.
Still, reliability goes beyond number ratings and is affected by many different factors.
Let’s explore Dodge Dart’s reliability rating and the considerations that influence its performance.
Table of Contents
How Reliable Is Dodge Dart?
As I mentioned earlier, Dodge Dart is a fairly reliable car with ratings dangled across the years. Launched in 1960 and 1961, Dodge Dart is one of the vehicles that has upheld the glory of the Dodge company.
Starting as a “classic” intermediate-sized car, the Dodge Dart grew into a compact car. While the 4-door sedan model has been maintained, there are significant changes in the engines of these cars.
However, the series of upgrades and changes haven’t brought Dodge Dart to compete with other compact cars in the industry.
RepairPal was generous enough to give the Dodge Dart a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, scoring 74/100 in the J.D. Power reliability rating.
The truth remains that the Dodge car ranks 28th out of 36 compact cars and 26th out of 29 Dodge models. The Dodge Dart is cheap, but users have greater chances of encountering severe damage.
The 2013 Dodge Dart generated up to 1,200 complaints from users, filed and registered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
These complaints have lingered, with Dodge recalling some Dodge Dart models. This is an unfortunate tale for a promising car.
We might not list the Dodge Dart as one of our favorite Dodge models, but there are a few benefits that you will get from the car; fuel Economy, low maintenance and purchasing cost, and lots more. Unfortunately, Dodge stopped the production of Dart on January 27, 2016.
Why Dodge Dart Is Considered Reliable
1. Engine and Performance
Dodge Dart is underpowered when it comes to acceleration and speed, but some features make the engine remarkable.
Dodge Dart started with a 3-speed manual and ForqueFlite automatic transmission. Upgrades were made to build the Dodge Dart to a 5/6 manual and automatic transmission.
Dodge Dart has maintained the use of 1.4L FIRE I4 turbo, 2.0L Tigershark I4, and the 2.4L Tigershark I4. These engines have sustained the delivery of 160 – 184 horsepower and a torque of 148 - 184 lb-ft.
Users complain that Dodge Darts have a low-speed/acceleration, but we would love to point out that these engines have proven more durable than their competitors. You might not achieve a hyper-delivery of speed, but you can rely on it to last long.
2. Cost of Maintenance and Purchase
One of the best things about Dodge Darts is that they are inexpensive. They are cheap to maintain and cheap to buy. You should consider a Dodge Dart if you need a good first car to get your teenager.
Dodge Dart has an average repair and maintenance cost of $597. While this is cheaper than the $652 average maintenance for all car models, it is slightly higher than the average $526 for compact cars.
3. Handling
Dodge Dart can pass as not just a compact car but also as a muscle car. The Dodge Dart car has enough technological upgrades to improve handling and driver control.
Including traction control, electronic stability control, ABS, and electronic brake force distribution aids the vehicle’s performance on the road.
Because Dodge Darts are standard front-wheel drive vehicles, drivers are assured of increased grip and fantastic traction. This makes it easy to drive a Dodge Dart in the snow.
Dodge Dart features a ground clearance of 4.4 inches. This is not a good amount for mud rides, hills, or rocky terrains, but they are manageable for regular driving.
4. Safety and Security
Dodge Dart earned a five-star NHTSA rating. This includes occupying the top safety pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Dodge Dart models like the 2016 Dart boast 60 safety and security features. This is an impressive number that drivers can rely on.
Constructed with high-strength steel, ten standard airbags, anti-lock brakes (4 wheels), electronic roll mitigation, and lots more, Dodge Dart offers passengers and drivers the peace of mind they deserve.
Some popular safety and security features of Dodge Dart include:
- All-Speed Traction Control
- Blind-Spot Monitoring
- Rear Cross Path detection
- ParkSense Rear Park Assist
- LATCH Anchors for child safety and support
- Electronic Stability Control
- Rain Brake Support
These features are designed to uphold users’ safety without compromising comfort.
5. Fuel Economy
Dodge Dart fuel economy varies across different years of production, model, and trims. Dodge Dart delivers an average gas mileage of 25/36/29 MPG for highway, city, and combined driving conditions.
The fuel economy of Dodge Dart varies for its automatic and manual versions. Manual Dodge Darts offer better fuel efficiency than automatic cars.
The Dodge Dart’s gas mileage depends on the engine used. For instance: the 1.4L Turbo 4-cylinder Dart engine achieves a fuel efficiency of 28/40/32 MPG for city, highway, and combined.
The 2.4L 4-Cylinder achieves a 22/35/27 MPG for city, highway, and combined. These values vary for automatic transmissions.
Dodge Dart: Pros
- Comfy rides
- Cheap
- Great handling
- Impressive security and safety features
Dodge Dart: Cons
- Lots of problems
- Fuel economy can be improved
- Low speed/acceleration
Dodge Dart Reliability and Common Problems
Dodge Dart drivers are constantly battling with the numerous problems that come with the car. Here are six common problems of Dodge Dart.
- Transmission Problems
- Suspension System faults
- Excessive Oil Consumption
- Engine Stalling and lots of engine-related issues
- Brake Failure
- Oil Leaks
Conclusion
The reliability issues of Dodge Dart are tied to the year and model you purchase. 2013/2014 are one of the worst years of Dodge Dart, but you can expect some level of decency from the 2016 Dart models. 2016 is the year that Dodge Dart produced some of its most reliable cars.
Some drivers will advise that if you go for a Dodge Dart, you should choose the model with the largest 2.4L engine. You will have fewer drivetrain issues to deal with.
