Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Dodge Dart electrical problems
severe 55 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
55
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
2crashes
3fires
When does it fail?
Of the 55 electrical complaints filed for the 2014 Dodge Dart, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 55 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
MIL/check engine lamp comes on after performing U90 recall PCM software update.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗MIL/check engine lamp comes on after performing U90 recall PCM software update.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2014 Dart shows a dominant cluster of stalling and no-start failures that owners describe as unpredictable and recurrent. Many report the engine shutting down at low speeds (turns, stop signs, intersections), on highways, or during acceleration—sometimes with no warning lights, sometimes with battery, check engine, or electronic throttle control lights illuminating. Several owners say repeated dealership visits and part replacements (PCM, PCV valve, MAP sensor, fuel cap check) have failed to resolve the issue; one owner had seven dealership visits for the same stalling problem. A secondary but safety-critical pattern involves complete loss of electrical power while driving, causing loss of power steering and brakes. Battery, alternator, and starter all check out, yet the vehicle loses power, requires jumping, or takes multiple restarts. Owners report the problem often worsens when oil levels drop, and some describe a "low oil" diagnostic message or warning that persists even after adding oil, suggesting a faulty sensor rather than genuine low oil. The instrument cluster and dash display also fail intermittently or permanently, leaving drivers unable to see speed or gauge readings—dealers confirm this is "very common" and cite backorders on replacement parts. Ignition switch sensitivity, electrical shorts at the key, and loss of HVAC/radio control during charging system failures round out the electrical picture. One owner reported a fire originating near the cooling system reservoir. Owners emphasize the safety hazard: stalling on highways, in intersections, and during turns puts them at risk of collision.
Same Dodge Dart electrical reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling while driving
Engine shuts off unexpectedly at various speeds and conditions—slow turns, stop signs, accelerating, highway speeds—sometimes with no warning and sometimes with battery, check engine, or electronic throttle control lights. Multiple dealership visits and part replacements (PCM, PCV valve, MAP sensor, software updates) often fail to resolve the issue. Owners report the problem recurs within days of repair.
When: Throughout vehicle life; one owner reports issue from first few months of lease (2014); others report onset at 3,100, 8,500, 31,000, 47,200, 50,405 miles and beyond
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning while slowing, turning, or stopped; Engine stalls at highway speeds; RPM drops to zero during shutdown; Battery light, check engine light, or electronic throttle control light illuminates; Heater and lights remain on during shutdown; Vehicle loses acceleration and power steering/brakes; Intermittent warm-up stalling (resolves after car warms)
Codes mentioned: P0011 or other generic stall codes (inferred from PCM replacement and flash updates), Check engine light, Electronic throttle control light, Battery/charging system light
Repairs/costs cited: PCM replaced multiple times; PCM flash/software update performed multiple times; PCV valve replaced multiple times; MAP sensor replaced; fuel cap loosened per dealer instruction (ineffective); one owner replaced relay in fuse box; battery replaced (did not resolve stalling)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge/Chrysler issued recall letter to one owner regarding emissions; one owner reports corporate Dodge contact directed dealer to keep vehicle to replicate issue (not completed per owner); manufacturer notified in several cases but no widespread recall action documented in narratives
Complete loss of electrical power while driving
Vehicle loses all or most electrical power while in motion, causing loss of power steering, brakes, and acceleration. Battery light illuminates. Vehicle requires jump-start or multiple restart attempts. Problem often occurs within 10 minutes of cold start or after vehicle has sat 6+ hours. Battery and alternator test normal but vehicle repeatedly loses power.
When: At 22,000, 37,000, 50,405 miles and beyond; one owner reports 4 incidents in one week
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power while driving; vehicle shuts off; Battery warning light comes on; Loss of power steering and braking; Vehicle requires jump to restart; Multiple restart attempts needed; Loss of acceleration; Problem recurs within 10 minutes of restart or after extended parking
Codes mentioned: Battery charging system light
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced (owner paid out of pocket, did not resolve); alternator tested and found OK at auto parts store; jump-start required each time; scanner showed no computer codes in one case; one owner paid $200+ diagnostic fee that found disconnected engine coil (dealer technician error); one owner replaced relay in fuse box under hood
Faulty oil level sensing (false low-oil shutoff)
Vehicle displays 'low oil' warning or shuts down despite adequate oil levels. Owners consistently report that dealership diagnostics cite low oil as the cause of stalling, yet oil checks reveal adequate levels or only minor depletion. One mechanic stated manufacturer defect where car 'thinks it has low oil.' Stalling resolves temporarily after oil change or oil top-up, suggesting a sensor fault rather than genuine oil consumption, though one owner notes significant oil consumption.
When: Early in vehicle ownership; recurring throughout vehicle life (examples at 3,100 miles onward)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off; dealer says oil is low or nearly empty; Oil level adequate or only slightly low; Oil warning light does not illuminate despite stalling; Stalling resolves after oil change or adding oil (temporarily); Vehicle displays 'low oil' message on display
Codes mentioned: No oil pressure warning light (counterintuitively, light does not come on)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recommends oil change (owner reports oil still had 600 miles to go in one case); owners add oil repeatedly; one owner reports significant consumption (must carry oil in car)
Instrument cluster failure or dimming
Instrument panel display and gauges fail intermittently or permanently. Dashboard may go black, gauges stop working, speedometer becomes inoperable, or all displays shut off. Dealers acknowledge this is a 'very common issue' and cite parts backorders because so many are being replaced. One owner waited 3 weeks for parts and was initially charged for full center stack replacement before blower fan replacement solved problem (unrelated to cluster).
When: Within first year and throughout vehicle life; examples at 7,800 miles, after 1 hour of ownership (display issue), 8,000 miles, 14,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard display goes black; Speedometer and all gauges stop working; Driver cannot see speed, fuel, or temperature; Display intermittently disappears and reappears; Screen blackout lasts a few minutes to indefinite
Repairs/costs cited: Instrument cluster module replaced; parts on extended backorder (21-day rental provided in one case); radio display replaced; full center stack replaced in one case (ineffective); problem may recur months later despite repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer provides rental car (one case); Chrysler corporate engaged for vehicle under one year old; no other manufacturer action documented
Electrical system charging failure (battery not holding charge)
Battery does not hold charge despite testing normal. Vehicle requires jump-start repeatedly within hours of driving or after sitting overnight. Alternator tests normal but battery cannot maintain charge. Issue distinct from bad battery (battery tested as fully charged at auto parts store, yet failed again within 10 minutes).
When: At 51,000 miles (one case); 98,000 miles (one case); others not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Battery won't hold charge; Vehicle won't start after sitting 10+ hours; Requires jump-start repeatedly; Battery tests normal, alternator tests normal; Problem recurs within 10 minutes to hours after jump-start
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced ($200+ in one case, out of pocket); alternator tested at auto parts store (OK); no root cause identified in several cases; one owner replaced relay in fuse box and resolved own starting issue
Ignition switch oversensitivity or failure
Ignition switch shuts off engine with minimal pressure or contact. Rental car owner reproduced issue where knee pressure on key ring caused ignition to turn off while driving highway at 70 mph. Key would not turn off properly or buzzed with electrical short symptoms.
When: Rental car incident date 11/23 (year not specified); intermittent electrical short issues reported
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off with light pressure on ignition switch; Key difficult to turn to off position; Buzzing sound like electrical short when touching key to ignition
Repairs/costs cited: Rental car owner video-recorded reproduction but no repair applied; dealership unable to duplicate buzzing short
HVAC/climate control failures
Blower fan intermittently fails, preventing defrosting in cold/wet conditions. In separate incidents, heater defrost engages full blast uncontrollably when battery light comes on, unable to turn off until battery light resets. Air conditioning turns on by itself.
When: November 2014 onward (blower fan); intermittent during charging system faults (defrost)
Symptoms owners cite: Air conditioner/heater blower fan fails intermittently; Unable to defrost windshield; Heater defrost comes on full blast uncontrollably during charging faults; Cannot turn off heater defrost until battery light resets; Air conditioning engages on its own
Repairs/costs cited: Blower fan replaced after 9 months and multiple dealership visits; center stack initially replaced (ineffective) before correct diagnosis; heater/AC issues noted but no repair documented
Dash electrical control loss during charging system fault
When battery light comes on (indicating charging system fault), radio display goes black and all HVAC, turn signal, and gauge controls become inoperative. Problem resets when charging system fault clears but recurs immediately on next fault.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Radio display goes pitch black; Loss of radio and HVAC controls; Dash gauges shut off; Turn signal blinkers and clicking sound stop; Heater defrost comes on full blast uncontrollably; Problem occurs in park, idle, while driving, and when turning
Codes mentioned: Battery light
Shift cable/park detection failure
Vehicle does not recognize shifter in park position; car will not shut off even when shifter shows park on display. One owner had recall V34 (shift cable bushing, 2019) but problem recurred 2 years later. Another owner reports car says 'not in park' when shifter is in park.
When: After 2019 shift cable bushing recall V34; issue recurred 2 years post-repair; another incident at unknown timing
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter shows park on display but vehicle does not recognize park; Cannot remove key from ignition; Car will not shut off; Engine revs while shifter in park position; Takes up to 15 minutes to get vehicle to shut off; Shifter must be moved back and forth multiple times before parking registers
Repairs/costs cited: Shift cable bushing recalled and replaced (V34, 2019); same issues returned 2 years later
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall V34 issued for shift cable bushing; one owner reports open safety recall with no available fix and dealership advised it may be unsafe
Check engine light and software issues
Check engine light illuminates persistently. Dealership performs software code update which temporarily resolves issue, but failure recurs within days. Electronic throttle control light also illuminates in some cases.
When: At 3,103 miles (one documented case); other cases not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates; Electronic throttle control light illuminates; Engine stalls during driving
Codes mentioned: Software codes requiring update
Repairs/costs cited: PCM software code reprogrammed/flashed; failure recurs after repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no resolution documented
Fire/thermal incident
Vehicle caught fire after owner turned off heater while idling at stop light. Smoke flooded cabin from passenger side near cooling system reservoir. Engine appeared to continue running despite key being removed.
When: Timing not specified; incident involved highway stop light
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke floods cabin after heater turned off; Fire from passenger side near cooling system reservoir; Engine/fans sound like they continue running after key removed
Brake-related electrical issues
Brake lights do not come on. One owner reports brake line leak (front driver side) and loss of brake fluid without explanation. Another reports brakes became progressively harder to use, then stopped working in traffic (regained function after collision).
When: Brake line leak/loss incident timing not specified; progressive brake hardness noted
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights do not illuminate; Brake line leaking (driver front side); Brake fluid loss; Brakes progressively harder to apply; Complete brake failure in traffic; Loss of power brakes during electrical power loss
Repairs/costs cited: Emergency brake used in one case when service brakes lost
Tail light fire
Smoke and flames coming from tail light assembly while vehicle being driven. Turn signal indicator said bulb out; owner pulled into driveway and opened trunk to find engulfed in flames.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Turn signal indicator shows blinker out; Smoke from tail light; Flames in trunk near tail light assembly
Backup camera electrical malfunction
Backup camera display stays on for extended period after shifting from reverse to drive, remaining on for approximately half mile of forward driving.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera display remains on after shifting from reverse to drive; Display stays on for half mile of forward driving
Shift actuator/valve stuck (engine control)
Engine actuator causes valve to stick, making vehicle undrivable or severely limited. Produces shaking, very poor acceleration, and transmission won't shift. Check engine light illuminates with actuator code.
When: Started last summer (from complaint timeline); ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Severe engine shaking; Very poor acceleration; Transmission will not shift; Vehicle not drivable
Codes mentioned: Actuator code on check engine light
Alarm system electrical malfunction
Alarm system activates and will not allow vehicle to start. Vehicle also consumes oil at alarming rate.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Alarm system activates; Vehicle will not start; Oil consumption at alarming rate
Radio/display intermittent blackout
Radio display screen goes black intermittently for a few minutes at regular intervals. Issue persists for over a year despite multiple dealership visits. Replaced once but problem recurs every few months.
When: Within 1 hour of accepting vehicle with 7 miles; recurs every few months over 1+ year
Symptoms owners cite: Radio display screen goes black; Blackout lasts a few minutes; Occurs on regular basis; Intermittent nature makes dealer unable to replicate in many visits
Repairs/costs cited: Radio display replaced; issue recurs within months despite replacement
Synthesized from 55 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I recently purchased my Dodge dart 2014 in august of 2018. I purchased the car with around 26,000 miles on it. Great condition, excellent mileage, no accidents, and only one owner. I have only had the car for 5 months. I use it mainly as a commuter car. It started having issues almost as soon as we got it. They were first minor things. Until november 2018. My cars battery died and refused to…
I have an open safety recall that has no available fix. My dealership confirmed they cannot repair it and advised me it may be unsafe. Because I cannot safely operate the vehicle, I am requesting a manufacturer buyback or financial assistance toward a replacement vehicle. Please escalate this to a case manager.
Had electrical trouble with your 2014 Dodge Dart?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2014 Dodge Dart?
It's a meaningful issue. 55 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 38 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 11,120 and 60,000 miles, with the median around 37,100. A quarter of owners report trouble before 11,120; a quarter make it past 60,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Dodge/Dart.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.