The Dodge Dart seemed to have been left in the past. After ceasing production almost ten years ago, Dodge's compact car was quietly living on thanks to units that still remained unsold at U.S. dealerships.

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Despite this, the Dart name is back in the headlines, not because of a return to the market, but because of a new and worrying safety recall.

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Stellantis, Dodge's parent company, reported that 298,439 units of the Dart produced between 2013 and 2016 will be recalled due to an automatic transmission fault. This is a problem that, although it had been identified and corrected in the past, has reappeared in several vehicles.

The Return of a “Zombie Car”

Despite being removed from Dodge's catalog in 2016, the Dart never completely disappeared. Some dealerships still had brand-new models on hand, and surprisingly, the brand reported recent sales of six units for 2016.

These vehicles, which have been stored for years, are known among enthusiasts as “zombie cars”: new cars that, for various reasons, were never registered or driven.

But now, news of the massive recall has brought attention back to the model, which has been saddled with a spotty reputation since its relaunch under the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now Stellantis) compact platform.

A Persistent Transmission Problem

According to reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the affected Dodge Darts have a defect in the automatic transmission system.

The fault stems from a faulty shift cable that can prevent the gear lever from connecting properly to the “Park” position. In simple terms, the vehicle could move even when the driver thinks he has parked it,which significantly increases the risk of accidents.

The NHTSA warned that the defect could cause the car to move unexpectedly, endangering both the occupants and those around the vehicle. For that reason, the recall affects all Dodge Darts produced between 2013 and 2016 with automatic transmissions.

A Repeating History

This is not the first time the Dodge Dart has faced a problem of this nature. In 2019, Stellantis (then Fiat Chrysler) issued a similar recall involving nearly 300,000 units, also for transmission-related defects. At the time, the company replaced the affected cables and claimed to have resolved the issue.

However, recent reports indicate that the faults have recurred over the years, prompting a new internal investigation.

According to Dodge, the shifter cable bushings were found to be the true culprit behind the defect. These small components, as they deteriorate over time, prevent the shifting system from making a proper connection to the car's transmission.

Stellantis Responds With Voluntary Recall

Following the findings, Stellantis has issued a voluntary recall for all affected Dodge Darts. While the company acknowledged the potential safety risk, it clarified that no serious incidents or injuries have been reported associated with the defect.

The company said owners of vehicles included in the recall will be notified during the first week of November. Dealers, for their part, have already received instructions on how to proceed with the inspection and repair of the units.

To confirm if a vehicle is affected, customers can enter the vehicle identification number (VIN) into the Dodge service portal or directly into the NHTSA database.

Owners should act with caution

Stellantis has asked Dodge Dart drivers to check as soon as possible if their cars are part of the recall. So far, there is no cost to owners: the repair will be free at authorized dealerships.

Replacing the shift cable bushings is a relatively simple procedure, but essential to prevent unintentional vehicle movement.

Drivers who experience difficulty shifting the car into "P" or notice the vehicle moving after stopping should contact technical support immediately. Although reported cases are limited, Dodge insists that prevention is key to ensuring safety.

The story of the Dodge Dart is a curious one in the automotive industry: a discontinued model that, nearly a decade after its demise, continues to make headlines. It began as Dodge's bid to compete in the compact sedan segment, but sales never met expectations, leading to its cancellation in 2016.

However, the fact that new units are still on the road and that the brand continues to issue recalls shows that, somehow, the Dart refuses to disappear completely.