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 ↗2015 Dodge Dart electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Dodge Dart have filed 81 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 54,160 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
81
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Dart | 119 |
| 2014 Dart | 55 |
| 2015 Dart (this page) | 81 |
| 2016 Dart | 36 |
1crash
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 81 electrical complaints filed for the 2015 Dodge Dart, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 81 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
MIL/check engine lamp comes on after performing U90 recall PCM software update.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗MIL/check engine lamp comes on after performing U90 recall PCM software update.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, 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
Owners of 2015 Dodge Darts describe a constellation of electrical failures that collectively make the car unsafe and unreliable. The most dangerous is unintended engine shutdown while driving—at highway speeds, in intersections, or while merging—with no warning. Power steering and braking go dead, leaving drivers unable to safely control the vehicle. Some owners report this happening repeatedly over weeks.
The transmission shift cable fails in ways that prevent shifting into gears or keeping the vehicle in park. Some owners hear an audible snap; others find the vehicle does not recognize park and continues moving even after shifting. A recall was issued but as of March 2026, the manufacturer has no remedy available.
Parasitic electrical drain kills the battery repeatedly, leaving cars unable to start even after recent battery replacement. One owner replaced batteries every 3 months. The ignition key gets stuck and cannot be removed, trapping the fob or leaving the vehicle unable to shut down.
Rear tail light harnesses fail repeatedly from flexing—backup lights, taillamps, and backup cameras flicker or go dark after multiple dealership repairs. One dealership eventually refused further repairs, citing the harness too damaged.
Owners also report burnt fuses, failed headlights that blow every 2 weeks, check engine lights tied to spark plug and coil failures that recur within days of replacement, and false dashboard warnings for lights that are actually working. The cumulative effect is a car that dealerships themselves struggle to diagnose and repair.
Same Dodge Dart electrical reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended engine shutdown while driving
Engine shuts off completely without warning during normal driving at various speeds (from 25 mph to 70 mph), including on highways and at traffic lights. After shutdown, vehicle may or may not restart immediately; some require waiting several minutes or multiple restart attempts. Power steering and braking become difficult or unavailable during event. Multiple owners report this has happened repeatedly over weeks or months.
When: Can occur at any mileage, documented from early ownership (280 miles) through higher mileage (125,000+ miles); multiple events per owner over months
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine cutoff while driving at various speeds; Loss of power steering; Loss of power braking; Difficulty or inability to restart immediately after stall; Dashboard warning lights may flash or illuminate during stall; Battery light often illuminates
Codes mentioned: P0123, P2122, P2127, P0222, U0401, P1065, P1061
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealerships have replaced engines, ECM/PCM units, and performed software reprogramming; some repair attempts are temporary or ineffective. One dealership cited potential need for complete rewiring and reprogramming.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall #U90 2014-2016 for PCM software issue regarding oil pressure and mechanical stalls; remedy reportedly unavailable for transmission shift cable recall as of March 2026
Transmission shift cable failure and loss of park/gear engagement
Transmission shift cable breaks or cable bushing fails, preventing vehicle from shifting into gears or maintaining park position. In some cases, vehicle will not shift from park into drive or reverse; in others, vehicle does not recognize park position and will continue moving even when shifted to park. Some owners report cable rod snapping audibly or physically coming loose inside vehicle.
When: Documented from early ownership through high mileage; one owner reports recall notification November 2025 with no remedy available as of March 2026
Symptoms owners cite: Unable to shift from park into drive or reverse; Shift lever moves but does not engage gears; Vehicle does not recognize park position; Vehicle continues moving after shifting to park; No warning lights present for this issue; Audible snap or grinding noise during shift cable failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership confirmed replacement required; one owner reports dealership had no parts available. Multiple owners cite this as a recall issue; repairs by dealership dealerships only.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Safety recall for transmission shift cable issued; per recall notice, failure can cause unexpected loss of park function and unintended vehicle movement. As of March 2026, manufacturer remedy remains unavailable.
Ignition key stuck in ignition switch
Key fob becomes stuck in the ignition and cannot be removed when attempting to turn off the vehicle. In some cases vehicle is stuck in accessory or 'on' position and cannot be shut down; owner must wait several minutes or restart engine multiple times to release fob. Related to vehicle not recognizing park position (transmission shift cable issue).
When: Intermittent; can occur repeatedly over months or years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Key fob will not release from ignition switch; Unable to turn vehicle completely off; Must wait 5-15 minutes for fob to release; May have to restart engine and manipulate shift lever multiple times; Vehicle stuck in accessory or 'on' position
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report ignition switch and key fob have been replaced; issue persists on some vehicles after replacement. Dealership-level repair attempted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Issue flagged by owners as related to transmission shift cable bushing recall; ongoing issue despite recall attempts
Electrical system parasitic drain and battery depletion
Vehicle battery drains rapidly even when parked and off, causing inability to start. Owners report replacing batteries multiple times within short intervals (every 3 months reported by one owner). Body control module #3 identified by one owner as drawing 1.5 amps continuously. Multiple shutdown events occur with no diagnostic codes appearing.
When: Documented starting July 2016 in one owner's vehicle; recurring across multiple owners from early ownership onward
Symptoms owners cite: Battery goes dead while vehicle is parked and off; Vehicle will not start after sitting for short period; Battery light illuminates; Repeated need to replace battery; No error codes appear for this condition
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership has tracked issue to body control module #3 per one owner; no effective repair offered. Multiple battery replacements required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership can identify parasitic drain but reports inability to resolve; described as urgent recall-worthy condition by owners
Complete electrical system failure and loss of all power
All electrical systems fail simultaneously—engine stops, all lights go out, hazard lights inoperative, key cannot be removed, vehicle cannot restart. Differs from normal stall in that hazard lights and basic electrical do not function. Occurs both while driving and while parked. May last from minutes to hours; vehicle eventually restarts on its own or after extended waiting period.
When: Intermittent; documented from 2016 onward through various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of all electrical power; Engine shuts off; All dashboard lights extinguish; Hazard lights inoperative; Key cannot be removed from ignition; Vehicle will not restart immediately; Power returns slowly over minutes, starting with hazard lights
Codes mentioned: P0123, P2122, P2127, P0222, U0401
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports battery and alternator both tested as good by dealership; another had engine replaced. No clear repair resolution documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall work performed in July (oil pressure/PCM software); condition persisted or worsened after recall repair
Rear tail light wiring harness flexing and connector failure
Continuous flexing of wire harness routed from trunk to body causes repeated wiring shorts and breakage. Rear backup lamps, taillamps, and backup camera fail intermittently or completely. Harness has been repaired multiple times by dealership but failures recur in same location. Dealership reports harness is now too damaged to repair further.
When: Recurring issue documented as recurring throughout ownership; failures reported at 174,000 miles after multiple dealership repair attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Rear backup lights fail or flicker; Rear taillamp lights fail or flicker; Backup camera fails or flickers; Dashboard warning message for backup lamp outage; Cycle of failure and temporary repair
Repairs/costs cited: Repaired multiple times at Chrysler/Dodge dealership under warranty (with deductible); each repair temporary. Dealership now refuses further repairs, citing poor harness condition and inability to resolve underlying design flaw.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; owner requested better harness design to prevent flexing during trunk operation
Check engine light and ignition system misfires
Check engine light comes on repeatedly; diagnostic codes point to spark plugs and ignition coils. Owner replaces plugs and coils but they fail again within days or weeks. Vehicle misfires, shakes, and runs rough. Condition may be triggered or worsened by turning on air conditioning.
When: Recurring throughout ownership; plugs and coils replaced multiple times within weeks
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates; Vehicle misfires and shakes; Rough idle or running; Loss of power and acceleration; Repeated failure of plugs and coils; AC operation triggers or worsens misfire
Repairs/costs cited: Plug and coil replacement not resolving issue; one owner notes $500 thermostat repair quoted; PCM reprogramming performed by dealership in some cases without permanent resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall work for PCM software performed; condition reported as persisting or recurring after recall
Interior and exterior lighting failures and false warning messages
Interior and exterior lights fail intermittently or completely—headlights, turn signals, brake lights, dome lights, trunk light. Bulbs and sockets replaced multiple times but failures persist. Vehicle displays false warning messages such as 'parking light out' when lights are actually functioning. Some lights blow repeatedly (headlights every 2 weeks reported). Radio and power windows also affected.
When: Intermittent and recurring throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights intermittent or fail completely; Turn signal lights fail or flicker; Brake lights fail; Dome light fails; Trunk light fails; Dashboard false warning messages for lights; Lights blow frequently; Multiple bulb and socket replacements ineffective
Repairs/costs cited: Bulb and socket replacements; ballasts replaced; computer module replacement needed (costly, not covered under warranty past 40,000 miles). Headlight failures at 50,000+ miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; owners note this is not a recall issue despite multiple owners experiencing it
Oil consumption and engine overheating
Engine burns excessive amounts of oil between service intervals; in severe cases, burning a quart in less than 300 miles. Vehicle overheats and check engine light illuminates. After PCM reprogramming by dealership, oil burn reduced but engine loses horsepower and develops excessive blowby with oil venting from drain plug. No error codes appear after reprogramming.
When: Occurs early in ownership; one case documented at approximately 1 year after purchase; another at 125,000 miles after ECM reprogramming
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive oil consumption; Engine overheating; Check engine light; Loss of horsepower after PCM reprogramming; Excessive blowby and oil venting from drain plug; Engine running hot (smell/temperature gauge)
Repairs/costs cited: PCM reprogramming performed under recall; subsequent damage claimed ineligible for extended warranty coverage (new engine). One owner reported blowby issue persisting after reprogramming.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall for PCM reprogramming offered; dealership reportedly withheld information about extended warranty eligibility until after reprogramming completed
Fuse box overheating and burning
Fuses in the main fuse box (next to battery) catch fire or show severe burn damage. Multiple fuses visibly burnt or scorched. Vehicle smoking near electrical fuel area. Possible fire hazard.
When: Documented in multiple owner complaints; exact timing variable
Symptoms owners cite: Burnt or scorched fuses visible in fuse box; Fuse box smoking or burning; Multiple electrical failures following fuse box damage; Smoking near electrical fuel area
Repairs/costs cited: Owners state fuses should break/blow to prevent damage, indicating design or component failure allowing fuses to burn rather than break.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Fuel level sender failure
Fuel level sender stops working, affecting fuel gauge accuracy, miles-to-empty display, and gas tank warning light. Expensive diagnosis and repair required.
When: Documented at unknown mileage; repair costs quoted between $708-$1,372 including parts and labor
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge inoperative or inaccurate; Miles-to-empty display inoperative; Gas tank warning light constantly on
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnostic fee $175 just to confirm known issue. Estimated replacement cost $708-$1,372 total.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Window regulators, sunroof, and trunk latch failures
Power windows (driver and passenger) fail to operate or move intermittently. Sunroof fails to close. Trunk fails to open or opens by itself. Owner reports being locked in or locked out of vehicle.
When: Multiple occurrences reported throughout ownership; some issues present within 2 years
Symptoms owners cite: Power windows inoperative or intermittent; Sunroof will not close; Trunk will not open; Trunk opens by itself in cold or wet weather; Owner locked in vehicle for hours; Door locks malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Motor mounts replaced; repairs noted as temporary with problems recurring within days.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Radio and UCONNECT system power loss
Radio loses power intermittently or completely. UCONNECT system (infotainment/telematics) fails to power on. Issues appear related to broader electrical system parasitic drain or module failures.
When: Intermittent; recurring throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Radio no power; UCONNECT system no power; Radio works intermittently
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Cruise control module failure
Cruise control fails to operate or is replaced multiple times but continues to fail. Issue documented at low mileage (14,000 miles). Related to broader electrical system instability.
When: Documented as early as 14,000 miles; replaced on two prior occasions before latest failure
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control inoperative; Cruise control light illuminates but function fails
Repairs/costs cited: Cruise control module replaced multiple times without permanent resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified per one owner report
Synthesized from 81 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Car stutters when you crank it up. check engine light cuts on and off. Windows , Sunroof , Trunk all don’t work. Trunk won’t open. Sunroof and Windows won’t roll or close . Car staggers at 28mph. I have been locked in my car and locked out. Rearview cameras and charger port don’t work. Headlights blow every 2 weeks resulting in multiple tickets. Car will say brake lights , and headlights are out…
My number 3 cylinder is the only problem. This had been the the third time I've had this problem in the last three years.
I turned my car off and walked into work and while I was gone and my car was off it caught on fire in the battery compartment and is now totaled.
The contact’s son owns a 2015 Dodge Dart. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.
Had electrical trouble with your 2015 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 2015 Dodge Dart?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 81 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 51 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 42,000 and 81,000 miles, with the median around 54,160. A quarter of owners report trouble before 42,000; a quarter make it past 81,000. 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/2015/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.