Stellantis Recalls 300k Dodge Darts Over Park Function Failure Risk

Imagine parking your car, engaging the gear selector into 'Park,' and walking away, only to have the vehicle unexpectedly start rolling down the street on its own. This unsettling scenario is a potential reality for nearly 300,000 owners of the now-discontinued Dodge Dart. In a major safety recall orchestrated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Stellantis (formerly Chrysler) has announced a recall affecting an estimated 298,439 Dodge Dart compact sedans from the 2013 to 2016 model years. The culprit? A critical defect in the transmission shifter cable that could lead to what the company describes as an "unexpected and unrecoverable loss" of the Park function.

The Core of the Problem: A Failing Cable

The recall centers on the Dodge Dart's six-speed automatic transmission. The NHTSA-led investigation found that the shifter cable, which connects the gear selector to the transmission, may detach from its mounting point or fail completely. While a cable failure while driving could lead to a loss of drive, Stellantis's primary concern is far more insidious. The defect could prevent drivers from engaging the 'Park' position, or worse, cause the vehicle to slip out of 'Park' after it has been selected—all without any prior warning signs.

Key Concern: A vehicle that appears to be safely parked could, in fact, be capable of rolling away on its own, posing a significant risk to property and public safety.

Although the automaker has always recommended using the electronic parking brake as an additional safety measure, the potential for an unattended vehicle to move autonomously has triggered this expansive recall. Official notifications to all potentially affected owners began in late October and are scheduled to be completed by November 6.

A Recurring Nightmare: This Isn't the First Time

What makes this situation particularly concerning for owners is that it's a repeat performance. This shifter cable issue first surfaced back in 2019, when Chrysler (then FCA US) issued Recall V34 for the same problem involving a deteriorating transmission shift cable bushing. At that time, nearly 300,000 vehicles were addressed. The company believed the initial recall had resolved the matter.

However, the problem persisted. Starting in November of last year, Stellantis began receiving a new wave of customer complaints eerily similar to those from 2019. A joint investigation with the NHTSA in June of this year confirmed the worst: the shifter cable bushings were continuing to fail, even on vehicles that had supposedly been repaired under the original V34 recall.

Fortunately, despite the recurring failures, Stellantis reports there have been zero instances of a vehicle actually rolling away, and no related accidents or injuries have been documented. Nevertheless, the persistent nature of the defect left the automaker with no choice but to issue this second, all-encompassing recall.

The Remedy: Still a Work in Progress

In a somewhat unusual twist for a recall of this magnitude, Stellantis has stated that the specific remedy for this latest iteration of the shifter cable problem is still "under development." Owners receiving notification letters are being advised that a second communication will follow once the final repair procedure is finalized and parts are available at dealerships. This ongoing development phase suggests the engineering team is working on a more permanent fix than the one applied during the 2019 recall campaign.

Stellantis's Broader Recall Landscape in 2025

This Dart recall is by far the largest safety action taken by Stellantis in 2025, but it is not the only one. The year has seen other, more targeted recalls from the automotive giant:

• February 2025: Approximately 3,200 owners of the ultra-high-performance Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 were notified of defective spark plugs. Incorrectly installed plugs in the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® V8 engine could lead to engine misfires and a sudden loss of power.

• September 2025: Roughly 75 units of the Dodge Charger and Jeep Wagoneer S were recalled for a potential Park Pawl issue. A faulty component could cause the transmission's park mechanism to disengage unexpectedly.

These incidents highlight the complex engineering challenges and rigorous safety monitoring in modern automotive manufacturing. While the Demon 170 and Charger/Wagoneer recalls were limited in scope, the sheer scale of the Dart recall underscores a systemic component issue affecting a mainstream model.

A Wider Industry Trend?

Stellantis is not alone in facing significant recall challenges in 2025. The automotive industry has seen several other major safety campaigns:

• BMW/Toyota: A joint recall impacted nearly 200,000 vehicles, including the Toyota GR Supra and a wide range of BMW models with six-cylinder engines. The issue involves a starter motor relay prone to corrosion, which could overheat, short circuit, and potentially cause an engine bay fire.

• Hyundai: The Korean automaker is investigating a potential electrical short that could affect over 135,000 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs, another reminder of the critical importance of robust electrical systems.

What Should Dodge Dart Owners Do Now? 🚨

For owners of a 2013-2016 Dodge Dart, the immediate steps are clear:

1. Wait for Official Notification: Stellantis is mailing letters to all registered owners of potentially affected vehicles. The recall reference number is V34 (Reopened) or a new designation.

2. Verify Your VIN: Owners can proactively check if their vehicle is included by visiting the NHTSA recalls website (www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) and entering their 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

3. Practice Safe Parking: Until the vehicle is inspected and repaired, owners are strongly advised to always engage the electronic parking brake and, when parked on an incline, turn the front wheels toward the curb as an additional safety precaution.

4. Schedule the Repair (When Available): Once the final remedy is developed and parts are available, owners should contact an authorized Stellantis dealership to schedule the repair, which will be performed free of charge.

This massive recall serves as a stark reminder of the long-term responsibilities automakers have for the safety of their products, even for models that have been out of production for nearly a decade. While the absence of accidents is a silver lining, the fact that a previously "fixed" problem has resurfaced raises important questions about component durability and recall efficacy. For now, nearly 300,000 Dart owners are left waiting for a permanent solution to ensure their parked car stays exactly where they left it.