The second coming of the Dodge Dart was an experiment Stellantis would rather forget. But the Dart has other plans, like, “How about never?” Because a 2019 recall fix for the second-iteration Dart apparently wasn’t a fix at all, as the population of nearly 299,000 recalled vehicles is being investigated again.
Yeah, me, too. I didn’t realize that many Darts were even built. And seemingly built with faulty shifter cable bushings. According to an April 11, 2019, report for NHTSA recall number 19V-293:
Some 2013-2016 model year Dodge Dart vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions have transmission cable bushings that may deteriorate and allow the shift cable to detach from the transmission.
The scope was determined to be all Dodge Dart vehicles with 6-speed automatic transmissions which are equipped with the suspect shift cables…Similar vehicles not included in the recall were assembled with manual transmissions that do not use the suspect shifter cable assemblies.
“Some” Dodge Dart vehicles translated to 298,439 of them, and with a 100% defect rate. So, basically, every Dart with an automatic. A stop-sale notice was also issued to dealers. With bad bushings, drivers wouldn’t be able to change gears despite the shifter moving. An example is the car being put into park, and the shifter indicates as such, but the vehicle is not physically in that setting. Although the instrument cluster will display the actual gear, if a driver ignores that and the audible warnings, well, let’s hope they’re not parked on a hill.
The remedy at the time sounded simple enough. Just replace the questionable part with a “more robust bushing,” stated the recall notice. The repair procedure was also straightforward, thanks to the shifter cable being easy to access. As shown in the dealer service instructions below, no special tools are required, and components like the battery do not need to be removed.
After releasing the gear shift cable from the manual shifter lever, the recalled bushing is removed using a pair of pliers or a pick-type tool so as to prevent damage to the cable end. That cable end is then cleaned and prepped for the replacement bushing, which is inserted using an installation aid.
Presto change-o, everything is then reattached and reinstalled into the manual shift lever. For final verification, the shifter is moved between the gears to ensure the selected gear matches what is indicated within the instrument cluster.
The Dart was offered with three engines, but the overall service procedure remained the same. The only change was the location of the cable access point. In the 2.0- and 2.4-liter engines, the transmission gear shift cable was located underneath the battery tray. In vehicles equipped with the 1.4-liter turbo-four, the cable was found below the brake booster.
Describing the new cable bushing as robust might’ve been inaccurate, though, because a recall query was recently opened. According to Reuters:
The updated part prevented deterioration from chemicals, oils, and solvents. However, the NHTSA received 44 consumer complaints alleging worn, misadjusted or detached shifter cables after the recall remedy was completed.
The NHTSA said its Office of Defects Investigation launched the latest investigation to evaluate whether the original recall fix was effective, determine what caused the bushing failures, and explore any other factors that could impact how the shifter cable functions.
In addition to being more sturdy, the NHTSA recall query states that the replacement bushing was also more flexible. But something obviously went wrong. Reuters noted that such an investigation only occurs when the initial recall fix “appears inadequate.”
Although 44 complaints out of a quarter-million-plus vehicles doesn’t sound concerning, keep in mind that these consumer concerns are specifically labeled as Vehicle Owner’s Questionnaire (VOQ) submissions. The initial recall listed 41 VOQs, but thousands more were in related customer inquiries and repair services. However, as in 2019, no injuries have been reported in connection with the recall. A timetable for the query results was not released.
Top graphic image: tk
I remember thinking that the uplevel model (the GT?) with a manual might be a worthy Ford Focus competitor, but always wondered if the more pedestrian versions were simply more handsome Dodge Calibers.
Wow, that’s a lot more Darts than I expected. And they had 3 engines? Ambitious.
Since it was just a re-faced Alfa Giulietta, the Italians had done a lot of the work already for the 1.4L. And the 2.0L and 2.4L are basically the same engine, and it’s just Chrysler trying to foist their dogshit Tigershark upon the masses in any way possible (though, to be fair, the FIAT 1.4L FIRE engine was also dogshit)
Yep, fair point on the standardization, but if I understand correctly, every single powerplant has to be certified for the US in each vehicle (so you can’t just say “we use it in the 200C or Jeep Cherokee” and get a sign-off).
I’ve always been used to the idea that the Euro versions have 3-5 powerplants for tax and economy reasons, but IMO anything more than 2 in the US feels like overkill. A budget option and a power/sport/lux option always felt like enough for me — but I’ve been beating the drum against too many options in the US for a while.
There is a neighbor with a 2014 Dart with maroon and gold racing stripes AND a 49ers sticker on the rear window. I fucking chortle everyday I see it. What depravity drives a man to own this car in their 50s…..
It’d be awesome if you also lived in Montana just so the guy could have “Montana” on his bumper.
Yeah! Lawn Darts!
This is the only automatic I got in and thought “man this would be better with a CVT”.
For a company that was simultaneously shifting to the ZF8 – this was hilariously bad.
I remember thinking that the Dart might not be THAT terrible of a car with a manual – but I never really got there because the moment you did or didn’t take off, it was worse than a 2001 Neon.
I have to wonder what the Dart’s rate of people driving them as rentals vs people test-driving because they were seriously considering buying one was.
Mine was a loaner when the dealer fixed the paddle shifters on our V8 Durango (which DID have the ZF8)… it was not encouraging anyone to stick with FCA.
JATCO missed a genuine opportunity.