"2.4L Excessive Oil Consumption XB1 Warranty Extension The customer may describe one or more of the following: ● Oil pressure low indicator lamp illumination between oil changes. ● Excessive oil consumption. This bulletin involves performing an oil consumption verification test and possibly replacing the long block."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Dodge Dart engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Dodge Dart have filed 55 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 44,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
55
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Dart | 42 |
| 2014 Dart | 36 |
| 2015 Dart (this page) | 55 |
| 2016 Dart | 33 |
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 55 engine complaints filed for the 2015 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
Of the 4 model years of Dodge Dart we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 55.
Owners have filed 55 engine 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
Emissions Recall U90 - Catalyst Efficiency
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Emission Recall U90 Catalyst Efficiency
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2.4L engine in the 2015 Dart consumes oil at an abnormal rate—1 to 3 quarts every 2,000 to 4,000 miles—without visible leaks or burning. Owners report checking the dipstick and finding it bone-dry despite having oil life remaining on the digital display. No low-oil warning light illuminates before the problem worsens.
When oil drops critically low, the engine shuts down unannounced while driving. This happens in intersections, on highways, during turns, and in parking lots—at speeds ranging from 5 to 70 mph. The shutdown kills the engine completely, disabling power steering and power brakes. Owners describe restarting the vehicle only after waiting 5 to 10 minutes. One owner's vehicle shut off seven times within the first 5,000-mile period.
Dealers acknowledge excessive oil consumption as normal for the 2.4L and perform oil changes or reset oil consumption modules, but no permanent fix emerges. Several mechanics confirm cylinder wall scarring or internal oil loss as the cause; one owner was denied an engine replacement under warranty. A recall for unspecified oil consumption was apparently issued, but most owners see no meaningful resolution.
Beyond oil issues, owners report engine misfires (P0304 code), rough running with knocking noises, overheating after thermostat recall service, valve cover gasket leaks, and one engine fire. One used-car buyer had an ECM rebuilt after misfire problems cost over $3,000 to diagnose.
Same Dodge Dart engine reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling due to low oil with no warning indicator
Engine shuts down while driving at various speeds—parking lots, intersections, highways—with no check engine light or low oil warning illuminating beforehand. Owners report the oil life display shows remaining life even when oil is critically low. Safety-hazard shutdown occurs because the vehicle loses power steering and braking.
When: First reports as early as 4,200 miles; continues unpredictably between oil changes, sometimes within 2,500–5,000 miles of last service
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning while driving; No check engine light or low oil warning before shutdown; Oil life display shows remaining life despite critically low actual oil; Loss of power steering and power brakes during shutdown; Difficulty restarting; may require 5–10 minutes before turning over again; Stalling occurs at all speeds (5–70 mph), in intersections, on highways, during turns
Codes mentioned: No diagnostic codes typically present (owners report shops find nothing wrong), P0304 (misfire in cylinder #4, one case at 140k miles)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer response: oil changes, oil sensor reprogramming, oil consumption tests checking every 500 miles. No permanent fix identified. Some dealers state shutdown is a 'safety feature' to protect engine; owners report this information not in owner's manual.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalled for oil consumption (narrative #9 mentions unknown recall); some owners report case numbers assigned (e.g., #12: case 59514487, requiring 2,000-mile test drive to determine engine replacement). No systematic recall or TSB cited in narratives.
Excessive oil consumption without visible leaks
Engine burns or consumes 1–3 quarts of oil every 2,000–4,000 miles or less, with no oil puddles, leaks, or signs of burning visible externally. One narrative mentions cylinder wall scarring absorbing oil. Owners maintain regular oil changes but cannot keep oil level adequate.
When: From early ownership (under 5,000 miles) through 140k+ miles; most common in first 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil level drops rapidly between scheduled services; No visible oil leaks or puddles under vehicle; No visible oil burning/smoking; Dipstick shows oil critically low or bone-dry; Oil consumption 1–3 quarts per 2,000–4,000 miles (some report 1 quart per 1,600 miles); Burning fuel odor noted in cabin (narratives #2, #9, #49)
Codes mentioned: Check engine light in some cases but no specific code found
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers perform oil changes, reset oil consumption module, conduct oil consumption tests. No parts or repairs resolve the issue. One narrative (#11) mentions cylinder wall scarring as cause; dealer denies engine replacement claim under warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls specifically addressing oil consumption identified in narratives. Dealers tell owners this is 'within specs' or normal for the 2.4L engine.
Rough running, misfire, and abnormal engine noise
Engine misfires, hesitates, jerks, and produces knocking or rattling noises. One diagnostic code P0304 (cylinder #4 misfire) documented. Abnormal sounds heard on start-up and during acceleration. Catalytic converter overheating noted in one case.
When: Around 140,000 miles in documented misfire case; rough running reported at earlier mileages (50k–62k range)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfires and hesitates during acceleration; Knocking or rattling noise from engine under hood; Abnormal sound on start-up; Vehicle jerks and does not respond immediately to pedal input; Catalytic converter turning red from overheating; Abnormal fuel odor entering cabin through A/C vents; Check engine light illuminated
Codes mentioned: P0304 (misfire in cylinder #4)
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic replaced spark plugs, ignition coils, catalytic converter, and oxygen sensors without resolving misfire. Catalytic converter diagnosed overheating from air-fuel ratio imbalance. Vehicle not repaired due to cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no assistance or recall cited.
Oil pressure switch failure / oil sensor malfunction
Oil pressure switch or oil sensor fails to read correctly or alert driver. One narrative documents faulty oil pressure switch requiring replacement at 17,398 miles.
When: 17,398 miles (documented repair case)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls; Check engine light illuminates; No accurate low oil warning to driver
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (specific code not cited)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced oil pressure switch. Vehicle repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no systemic recall or TSB cited.
Thermostat failure causing overheating
Engine overheats due to faulty thermostat, sometimes after recall thermostat service was performed. Coolant reservoir empty or low. Check engine light illuminates indicating overheating.
When: 33,000 miles (one case); 80,000 miles (another case); even after recall thermostat replacement, overheating resumes in traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Temperature gauge spikes or reads high; Engine overheats in stop-and-go traffic; Cools down when vehicle accelerates; Check engine light illuminates; No coolant in reservoir; Coolant leaking from thermostat housing
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (overheating indicator)
Repairs/costs cited: Thermostat replaced by independent mechanic (narrative #27) at 33k miles; by dealer (narrative #25) at 80k miles. Recall thermostat service performed per narrative #37 but overheating recurring.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for thermostat; service completed on at least one vehicle, but problem recurred.
Valve cover gasket leakage
Oil leaks from valve cover gasket into engine and onto transmission. Coolant also noted leaking onto radiator.
When: 148,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant leaking from engine onto radiator; Oil leaking from valve cover gasket into engine; Oil leaking from valve cover gasket onto transmission; Cord hanging from bottom of vehicle with unknown connection
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; cause identified by independent mechanic (AAMCO).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified.
Engine fire
Vehicle caught fire while parked and unoccupied. Fire originated in engine compartment. Insurance investigation determined electrical failure as cause.
When: 40,420 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fire emitted from under hood while vehicle parked
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed by fire.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted, case opened, field inspector scheduled; vehicle destroyed.
Catalytic converter failure
Catalytic converter fails, causing check engine light, poor acceleration, and rattling. One case mentions P0420 trouble code (catalyst system efficiency below threshold).
When: 140,000 miles; used car complaint (mileage at purchase ~31k)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light (P0420); Poor acceleration; Rattling noise from converter area; Vehicle overheating (converter turning red)
Codes mentioned: P0420 (catalyst system efficiency below threshold), P0304 (misfire in cylinder #4, related case)
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired in most cases. Converter identified as faulty but replacement not pursued due to cost or uncertainty about recall applicability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall #U90 mentioned in one narrative for 2014–2016 Darts, but owner reports VIN shows no recall in system.
Clutch and transmission difficulties
Vehicle intermittently fails to engage gears, experiences difficulty shifting, and exhibits complete clutch system failure after repair.
When: Mileage not specified; one case: week after clutch/master cylinder replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not engage gears; Difficulty shifting; Shifter will not engage gears; Pedal drops to floor and will not release; Burning odor from engine area; Vehicle stranded on highway
Repairs/costs cited: New clutch and master cylinder installed; failure recurred identically one week later. Complete clutch system failure diagnosed. Transmitted to second shop (IG Burton).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented.
ECM (Engine Control Module) failure and rebuild
Engine misfires and surges; dealer unable to resolve due to ECM being discontinued. Local mechanic sent ECM out for rebuild, which resolved the issue but owner spent over $3,000 on repair attempts.
When: Mileage not specified; used car purchase with unknown prior history
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfires; Engine surges/accelerates by itself
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer spent ~$2,000, deemed ECM discontinued and unable to repair. Local mechanic sent ECM to external shop for rebuild (~$1,000). Rebuild successful. Total out-of-pocket: over $3,000.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or reimbursement offered; owner requests recall and reimbursement.
Synthesized from 55 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Engine stalls, has happened 4 times while driving in past 2 months, vehicle mileage 69,000. Dealership, pocomo in hampton, va. Had vehicle for 5 days and could not duplicate.
When the oil life in this vehicle gets low the vehicle randomly stalls. This week my vehicle stalled in the middle of an intersection putting me at risk of bodily harm. I had to have my car towed to the dealership because it would not start. After speaking with the service person at the dealership they said that this is a "safety feature" to protect the engine. This is not the first time this…
The vehicle intermittently would not engage gears, was experiencing difficulty shifting. Vehicle was towed to mechanic, fred drake auto whom installed new clutch and master cylinder. A week later, vehicle showed identical symptoms and became stranded on the highway. A burning order coming from engine, shifter would not engage gears. Vehicle while in gear, peddle dropped to floor and would not…
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Dodge dart. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost power. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to musselman's Dodge (5717 baltimore national pike, catonsville, md 21228) where it was diagnosed that the oil needed to be changed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. Each time the vehicle was due for an oil…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2015 Dodge Dart?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 55 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 43 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 32,177 and 69,000 miles, with the median around 44,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 32,177; a quarter make it past 69,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.