Dodge, again??? Once again they are recalling 300,000 cars for a problem that’s not new to anyone (oh-oh…). Nearly 300,000 Dart models (which were supposedly fixed in 2019…) are back in the spotlight, yes, once again. The problem now is the same than in 2019, the automatic transmission system doesn’t work properly, it can make you think your car is parked… when it actually isn’t, like a zombie car (or one with a mind of its own, whatever you prefer).
So yes, your car could move on its own.
There is no neutral point
The problem affects Dodge Dart vehicles built between 2013 and 2016 that have automatic transmissions.
According to the NHTSA, the gear shift cable can detach from the transmission system and make your car, which you think you’ve left in “P” (parked), roll away as soon as you step out of it.
“The defect involves a possible unintended vehicle movement, even when the lever is in the parking position” explains the NHTSA technical report.
And yes, as we said at the beginning of this article, this is the same problem that already caused a recall in 2019, only now we know that the repair didn’t completely fix it.
Stellantis admits the error
The Stellantis group (Dodge’s daddy) has admitted that the replacement parts installed six years ago didn’t solve the problem, and that the defective component (a “bushing” that connects the cable to the linkage) deteriorates over time.
They have advised users to always use the handbrake when parking (especially on slopes or streets with any kind of inclination) until the issue is resolved, to avoid any possible accident.
Dealerships began issuing repair notifications on October 16, 2025, and owners will be contacted before November 6. The repair will be free of charge (of course) and will include a redesigned, more durable part, hopefully this time it works.
Affected vehicles
Even the Dodge Dart stopped being produced in 2016, the recall also affects a small batch of units that remained in storage and were sold recently.
In total, 298,439 vehicles will have to undergo inspection, even if yours was already repaired in 2019, it will need to go back to the shop.
How to know if your Dodge is on the list
Go to the official Dodge Recall website or the NHTSA page and enter your car’s VIN number (you’ll find it in your documents or on the windshield).
- Always engage the handbrake.
- Avoid parking on steep slopes.
A blow to confidence
The fact that a known issue has resurfaced raises questions about Stellantis’s quality control. Two massive recalls in less than six years will seriously damage the brand’s reliability (which is already hanging by a thread…).
Are carmakers prioritizing speed over quality in their repairs? Because if that’s the case, they should really pay more attention to what they do and how they do it, a problem as serious as a car not staying parked when it’s in “park” should never be taken so lightly.
And it’s not just Dodge; it’s happening across all brands. Safety cannot and should not be cheapened. Cars today are increasingly complex, and any failure can put thousands of drivers at risk. When did we allow safety to take a back seat?!
Possible lawsuits?
That’s what the NHTSA is currently investigating. If more failures appear or the issue repeats, class-action lawsuits are not ruled out.
Six years later, the Dodge Dart returns to the workshop for the same problem, 300,000 cars involved… Will Dodge recover from this blow? Let’s see..