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 ↗2016 Dodge Dart brakes problems
severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
2crashes
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Dodge Dart we track for brakes problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (14).
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant failure is brake booster contamination from engine oil migration. Owners consistently report the brake pedal dropping to the floor or becoming rock-hard, accompanied by popping or hissing sounds. Stopping distance increases dramatically—one owner at highway speed (60-70 MPH) needed 10+ extra feet to stop. The "Braking System Failure" warning appears in some cases; ABS codes follow the brake failures. Mileage at first occurrence ranges from 41,000 to 80,300 miles.
Chrysler issued recall 15V-800 for 2013-2014 Darts with the same oil migration problem, but explicitly excluded 2016 models despite owners reporting identical symptoms. Updated vacuum line kits have been installed on some vehicles, but oil contamination persists even after the "fix." Owners cannot source replacement brake boosters—dealerships say parts are backordered with no timeline, and aftermarket stock is exhausted. Warranty has expired on these vehicles, and the manufacturer has declined assistance.
One owner reports front caliper failure with rattling and vibration, repaired by replacing calipers, rotors, and pads. Emergency brake failure also appears in the complaint set, recurring within weeks of repair.
Same Dodge Dart brakes reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Brake booster failure from oil contamination
Engine oil migrates from the vacuum pump through the vacuum supply tube into the brake booster, contaminating the diaphragm. This causes loss of brake booster assist, making the brake pedal hard to press or travel all the way to the floorboard. Owners report the brake pedal becoming rock hard or soft with no assist, requiring excessive pedal force to stop the vehicle.
When: Mileage ranges from 41,000 to 80,300 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal travels to floorboard or becomes hard to press; Loss of braking assist requiring excessive pedal force; Loud popping or hissing sound from brake system; Braking System Failure warning message displayed; Increased stopping distance (10+ feet delays reported); ABS warning codes appearing; Brakes require pumping to achieve stopping
Codes mentioned: ABS service codes
Repairs/costs cited: Brake booster replacement required; owners report national backorder of brake booster parts. Updated vacuum line kits installed on some vehicles but oil contamination persisted. Vacuum pump replacement and master cylinder replacement may also be needed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall R63 / NHTSA 15V-800 issued for 2013-2014 Dodge Darts with 2.4L engine but NOT extended to 2016 models despite identical failures. Owners report dealerships indicate no recalls apply to 2016 Dart; manufacturer offered no assistance; parts unavailable through dealership or aftermarket.
Front brake caliper failure
Front brake calipers experience mechanical failure with loud rattling and vibrations during vehicle movement. Corrective action requires caliper replacement along with new rotors and brake pads.
When: Specific mileage not provided
Symptoms owners cite: Loud rattling noise when moving; Vibrations during braking or movement
Repairs/costs cited: Replaced front brake calipers, rotors, and brake pads
Emergency brake failure
Emergency (parking) brake stops functioning without warning and fails again shortly after repair attempt.
When: First failure April 20, 2019; failure recurred May 16, 2019
Symptoms owners cite: Emergency brake stops working
Repairs/costs cited: Emergency brake repair performed at independent auto shop on April 30, 2019; failure recurred within 16 days
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2016 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 brakes problem on the 2016 Dodge Dart?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 45,000 and 80,300 miles, with the median around 58,263. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 80,300. 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/2016/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.