Over 300K Dodge Darts Recalled For Possible Roll Risk

AUBURN HILLS, MI — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US has issued a recall for more than 300,000 Dodge Darts for a transmission problem that could cause them to roll away when drivers get out. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the problem with the affected vehicles is a defective transmission cable bushing that can deteriorate and interfere with the driver's ability to put the vehicle in gear.

The recall applies to all six-speed automatic transmission Darts for model years 2013 to 2016. Manual transmissions in Dodge Darts manufactured for the same years don't have the same shifter cable assemblies, the report said.

The manufacturer said it is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with the problem.

There are 298,439 Darts in the U.S. that have a 100% chance of having the defect, according to Fiat Chrysler, whose U.S. headquarters are in Auburn Hills, Michigan, outside of Detroit.

Another 35,000 Dodge Darts sold outside the U.S. in Canada, Mexico and outside of North America are also being recalled, according to CBS News.

If the cable bushing on the transmission end of the shifter cable deteriorates and detaches, drivers will be able to move the shifter handle, but the vehicle won't engage in gear. This causes a hazard when parking on a hill; when drivers put the Dart into park and release the brake, it could roll.

The correct gear will still show on the instrument cluster and by the shifter display, according to the report. Also, if the driver opens the door when the car isn't actually in park, the car will still chime a warning.

The report says "there will not be any prior warning" of the shifter cable detaching except for the "significantly reduced effort required to move the shift lever" into park.

Dodge will replace the affected transmission bushings at no cost at dealerships. The report says the recall schedule begins May 31.

See the NHTSA report here.