Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Dart or the Dodge Dart?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Dodge Dart is cheaper to maintain — about $18,453 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 225ci I6 and the 2.4L I4 Tigershark?

Across 31 common maintenance jobs, hours vary by drivetrain and engine layout. See the side-by-side table on this page for each job's labor hours and estimated cost.

Are there any active recalls on the Dodge Dart or Dodge Dart?

The Dodge Dart has 0 open NHTSA recalls. The Dodge Dart has 5 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

1978 Dodge Dart vs 2016 Dodge Dart — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

1978

2016

Engine

225ci I6

2.4L I4 Tigershark

Drivetrain

RWD

FWD

Transmission

manual

automatic

Fuel

gas

Powertrain

Engine output, acceleration, top speed, handling, braking — and Nürburgring if either car ran one.

Horsepower

—hp

Torque

—lb-ft

0–60 mph

—

Quarter Mile

—

Top Speed

—

Skidpad

—

60–0 Braking

—

70–0 Braking

—

MPG · City

—

22.5

MPG · Highway

—

MPG · Combined

—

Performance specs synthesized from manufacturer figures and instrumented magazine tests (Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track). MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Numbers flagged as "low confidence" by AI generation are conservative estimates from related platforms.

Cost of Ownership

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$32,443

0.54 $/mi

5-Year Maintenance

$50,896

0.85 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEDodge Dart — Saves you $18,453 over 5 years (57% less in routine maintenance labor)

Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.

Maintenance Breakdown

Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.

Oil & filter change

8.0 hrs$14,880 / 5yr

Tire rotation

2.0 hrs$2,400 / 5yr

Wiper blades

3.0 hrs$1,920 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

4.0 hrs$1,875 / 5yr

Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) Failure - 1.4L Turbo Models

— hrs

— hrs$3,088 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

8.0 hrs$1,235 / 5yr

PCV valve

8.0 hrs$1,220 / 5yr

1.4L Turbo Engine Internal Failure - Piston Ring Land Collapse

— hrs

— hrs$2,100 / 5yr

Fuel filter

2.5 hrs$810 / 5yr

Front brake pads

2.0 hrs$760 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

2.0 hrs$740 / 5yr

Differential fluid

2.0 hrs$680 / 5yr

Engine air filter

2.0 hrs$660 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

2.0 hrs$630 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

8.0 hrs$504 / 5yr

Coolant flush

3.0 hrs$500 / 5yr

12V battery

2.0 hrs$500 / 5yr

2.4L Tigershark Oil Consumption and Head Gasket Failure

— hrs

— hrs$875 / 5yr

Power steering flush

2.5 hrs$395 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

8.0 hrs$387 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

8.0 hrs$313 / 5yr

Spark plugs

1.5 hrs$305 / 5yr

Oxygen sensor

3.0 hrs$285 / 5yr

Water pump

3.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks

— hrs

— hrs$390 / 5yr

Thermostat

3.0 hrs$172 / 5yr

Transmission Mounting Bracket Failure

— hrs

— hrs$325 / 5yr

Alternator

2.0 hrs$150 / 5yr

Ignition coil

1.5 hrs$122 / 5yr

Starter motor

2.0 hrs$100 / 5yr

Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Software Glitches

— hrs

— hrs$175 / 5yr

Active Recalls

★ WINNER

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

5 open

🏆

ADVANTAGEDodge Dart — 5 fewer open recalls from the NHTSA

Fluid Capacities

Dodge Dart

brake · FMVSS 116 DOT 4

coolant10.00 qt · MS-12106

engine_oil5.00 qt · API SN

power_steering1.00 qt · Mopar ATF+4 P/S

rear_diff2.00 qt · API GL-5

transmission_auto10.00 qt · MS-9602

washer3.50 qt · All-season or winter-rated

Dodge Dart

brake · Mopar DOT 4 Brake Fluid

coolant10.00 qt · Mopar OAT Coolant (Purple)

engine_oil5.00 qt · Mopar 5W-20 Synthetic Blend

power_steering1.00 qt · Mopar ATF+4

transmission_auto10.00 qt · Mopar ATF+4

washer3.50 qt · Windshield Washer Fluid

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

1978 Dodge Dart

225ci I6

Dodge Dart is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$18,453 over 5 years)
Dodge Dart has 5 fewer open NHTSA recalls

Based on objective maintenance and recall data. Driving feel, looks, brand loyalty, and ownership experience are separate (and very valid) considerations.

Open the full dashboard for either truck

Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.