Dodge Dart 2013 1.4L Turbo...many fluid leaks

[Rhezuss]

Wow...bought the car in marsh 2013, brand new. Got the 1.4L engine with manual transmission because at that time I was doing lots of road (22,000-25,000 miles a year). I also took the extended warranty (5 years full) so I would have some peace of mind on that side.

Well two weeks ago the car is starting to make some weird noises that sounded like water was running in the dash. Took it to the dealer for an oil change and ask his to check that sound. I got the car back later the same day and test drove with one of the mechanic. I could hear the sound clearly but he couldn't...I heard it a few times and before raging on him I got returned home.

Later in the evening I poped the hood and found out my collant was dangerously low in the collant container. In fact, I could not see the collant level at all. WTF!!? I filled it tight and did the trick to remove some air from the system. Guess what? The sound disappeared.

So I get the car to the dealer last tuesday so they can check the major coolant loo I have. They checked the car and found:

- One collant leak from "somewhere"
- One transmission oil leak from "somewhere"

Tuesday evening they call me to say that they think they found the leaks: some pipe was leaking coolant and the transmission box thing was leaking oil...
Wednesday they called me back saying that they will replace the pipe and will order some switch that is leaking transmission oil (WTF is that)
They call me back today, the day I am supposed to get it back and they found that the water pump is done...

The car only have 35,000 miles on it...not sure if it's supposed to broke that quick. Not sure if a sealed manual transmission is supposed to leak like that either...

Not sure I like the car anymore...

 

[reallyscrued]

May wanna put some indication in the post title you were having issues with the car...I thought this would be a review.

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Dodge/Dart/2013/

Get it fixed, sell the car.

 

[NutBucket]

He can't easily sell something that's worthless

 

[DougK62]

I agree with the other fella - get it fixed and sell it. Maybe FIAT is better now, but they've never been known for reliability so I'd be hesitant to keep that car long term.

 

[JulesMaximus]

This is why I will never buy a Chrysler/Dodge product.

 

[Rhezuss]

Yep, first and last one...

Wanted to try it...never have a single trouble until I pointed out some weird stuff I noticed.

Each oil change I got the same "Everything is great on your car, have a nice day"...

Well at least I tried it lol, no pain no gain they say.

 

[thedarkwolf]

It is just two leaks really not that big of a deal and yes a manual trans can leak. It has fluid in it and many seals after all.

 

[Rhezuss]

It is just two leaks really not that big of a deal and yes a manual trans can leak. It has fluid in it and many seals after all.

Yeah I know that. My main problem is that they never saw (never really checked?) any leaks under the car since 2013...and in the past 6 months I filled my coolant tnak twice...that's an aweful lot of coolant imo.

Plus the fact that they take this so lightly it's pissing me off. Where I live there's no real other dealer option so i'm pretty much stuck with them until my warranty wears off (in 27,500 miles / 3 years).

Anyways, 4 days at the dealer, they never have the item they need to repair it so they delay the repairs everytime. On top of that they gave me a effing ugly Caliber SXT automatic LOL

 

[exar333]

Yeah I know that. My main problem is that they never saw (never really checked?) any leaks under the car since 2013...and in the past 6 months I filled my coolant tnak twice...that's an aweful lot of coolant imo.

Plus the fact that they take this so lightly it's pissing me off. Where I live there's no real other dealer option so i'm pretty much stuck with them until my warranty wears off (in 27,500 miles / 3 years).

Anyways, 4 days at the dealer, they never have the item they need to repair it so they delay the repairs everytime. On top of that they gave me a effing ugly Caliber SXT automatic LOL

I would be concerned about the components with the leaking fluids, namely the transmission and the engine itself (coolant). Both of those are pretty critical fluids to an engine. Its not like you are burning a relatively constant amount of oil or something....

I agree with others on selling the car when it is still 'shiny and pretty new' and before these issues cause real problems.

Is the extended warranty transferrable? At least if you sold it, that might ease your conscious a bit for the next owner. They may be in for a hassle, but at least would hopefully be covered.

When I sold my Mazda and Nissan (both in great condition) I actually put my email on a card, placed it in the manual, and put that in the glove box. I stated contact me for service records, which the Mazda buyer did. I hate it when a lot of dealers toss that stuff, and I try to help out the next guy. I scanned-in my records before selling anyway, and just removed my personal data when I responded.

 

[JulesMaximus]

It is just two leaks really not that big of a deal and yes a manual trans can leak. It has fluid in it and many seals after all.

I have a 2012 Camry Hybrid I bought new and I have almost 45,000 miles on it currently. Do you know how much fluid it leaks? Not a single drop... of anything.

All I've done is change the oil and I just put new tires on it. That's it.

Leaking fluids on any car is unacceptable but on a car that is barely 2 years old? Totally unacceptable.

 

[jumpncrash]

I have a 2012 Camry Hybrid I bought new and I have almost 45,000 miles on it currently. Do you know how much fluid it leaks? Not a single drop... of anything.

All I've done is change the oil and I just put new tires on it. That's it.

Leaking fluids on any car is unacceptable but on a car that is barely 2 years old? Totally unacceptable.

I have a 96 civic with 403 000kms on it...it doesn't leak anything either

 

[RLGL]

I have a 96 civic with 403 000kms on it...it doesn't leak anything either

I thought about buying a Dart, but my Neon had too many leaks that after replacing seals and sensors came back fairly soon.
Bought a 2013 Civic instead, very happy with it.

 

[marincounty]

I loved my 1969 Dodge Dart Custom. Very reliable car, the only thing that leaked was the power steering. The 9 inch drum brakes were a problem.
The closest modern car to the old Dart is probably a Toyota Camry. I like a boring car, as in it always starts and gets me where I'm going.

 

[leper84]

MOPAR + FIAT

More parts needed + Fix it again Tony.

What did you expect buying the car? Sounds like you need a Honda.

 

[LTC8K6]

The 1.4T requires a spark plug change at 30,000 miles. I hope they did that.

 

[Rhezuss]

The 1.4T requires a spark plug change at 30,000 miles. I hope they did that.

Nope that's another question I asked them last tuesday...and only $300!!!!!!! What a deal!
That dealer suck so much...

 

[us3rnotfound]

I bought a 2013 Dart 2.0L auto new last year. Just a dandy car but getting bored with it already. No problems with it but just boring. But sometimes, boring is really good for a car. Don't need any car problems.

 

[Rhezuss]

I bought a 2013 Dart 2.0L auto new last year. Just a dandy car but getting bored with it already. No problems with it but just boring. But sometimes, boring is really good for a car. Don't need any car problems.

Get your car checked on your next oil change. You have nothing to lose and maybe they can repair some minor stuff before they get major. Not to say you'll have problems, just mentonning since it cost nothing to ask

But yeah, pretty boring after only a few months...been 2 years now and want something else heheh.

 

[us3rnotfound]

Get your car checked on your next oil change. You have nothing to lose and maybe they can repair some minor stuff before they get major. Not to say you'll have problems, just mentonning since it cost nothing to ask

But yeah, pretty boring after only a few months...been 2 years now and want something else heheh.

Yeah only my 98 Ram can leak lol, my Dart should be perfect. I will get it checked over though thanks for the tip.

 

[postmortemIA]

Your car leaks like our 2003 car.

 

[LTC8K6]

Nope that's another question I asked them last tuesday...and only $300!!!!!!! What a deal!
That dealer suck so much...

It was only $250 to replace the 16 spark plugs on my 5.7L Hemi...

 

[master_shake_]

This is why I will never buy a Fiat product.

ftfy.

although i do agree on the not buying a crappler product.

 

[Rhezuss]

Consider me informed now...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Your car leaks like our 2003 car.

My 2003 Maxima didn't leak a drop at 130,000 miles when I traded it in for the Camry Hybrid I'm driving now.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I have a 2012 Camry Hybrid I bought new and I have almost 45,000 miles on it currently. Do you know how much fluid it leaks? Not a single drop... of anything.

All I've done is change the oil and I just put new tires on it. That's it.

Leaking fluids on any car is unacceptable but on a car that is barely 2 years old? Totally unacceptable.

big whoop. I'm not saying a car should leak fluid with 25k miles on it but it isn't that big of deal that it is. It would be different if the trans blew up at 25k miles or something but come on. Cars have lots of fluid in them and tons of seals, hoses, and clamps any one of which could have been manufacture or installed wrong. Hardly worth trashing a whole company over a small leak that should be covered by the warranty. I'm sure there were plenty of 2012 toyotas running around that had a minor leak by 25k miles.

Now if you want to talk about how he is being treated by the dealer that I can understand a bit more.