[Allpar News System]

Chrysler Group has released May production numbers and they may raise and eyebrow or two. Topping the list of eye-openers is the Dodge Dart. Production of the Dart was up compared to last May, when the new model was still ramping up, but compared to April of this year, it was slashed by 64.5% in May. April production totaled 10,380 cars, but just 3,690 left the Belvidere Assembly Plant last month. Another curiosity is a 7.8% April-May decline in Ram light-duty pickup production. Sales of American branded pickups are strong right now: year-to-date (YTD) sales of Ram, F-Series, Silverado and Sierra pickups were up 22.1% compared to the first five months of 2012, a growth rate more than three times as high as the industry as a whole. Year-over-year comparisons show Ram production up by 15.5% and only production at the Warren Plant was down compared to April (production at..

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[Paul J. Reed]

LOL, that means there are 6690 Dart GT's ready to go! I wish....

 

[Erik Latranyi]

I saw many Darts testing at Auburn Hills yesterday.

Something is afoot.

 

[Bob Lincoln]

I read on several Dart forums yesterday that there have been a number of clutch failures in manual transmissions EARLY on - like, between 200 and 2,000 miles. Most were seals that blew out on the slave cylinder, causing the clutch pedal to go to the floor, but not release. One owner was told that they now press the clutch pedal 5,000 times before sending it out the door.

At least one was told by the dealer that his clutch was installed backwards. Not sure if that's physically possible. But it makes me want to wait a couple of years before considering one...

 

[TWX]

To me, it's about what they showed us as models versus what they've actually delivered. We simply haven't seen the announced 2.4. I know, the 2.4 is not the mass-market powertrain expected in that car, but exciting cars draw customers into the dealerships, whether they purchase them or purchase a lesser-equipped car.

 

[Mike V.]

I read on several Dart forums yesterday that there have been a number of clutch failures in manual transmissions EARLY on - like, between 200 and 2,000 miles. Most were seals that blew out on the slave cylinder, causing the clutch pedal to go to the floor, but not release. One owner was told that they now press the clutch pedal 5,000 times before sending it out the door.

At least one was told by the dealer that his clutch was installed backwards. Not sure if that's physically possible. But it makes me want to wait a couple of years before considering one...

Allpar reported on this recall several months back actually.

Mike

 

[unverferth]

Suspension issues ?
We had a thread here about that a while back.

 

[Paul J. Reed]

Allpar reported on this recall several months back actually.

Mike

I thought that recall was for the DDCT?

 

[Mike V.]

I thought that recall was for the DDCT?

It was a slave cylinder issue on the DDCT.

Mike

 

[Bob Lincoln]

The posters in these cases clearly stated that it was the manual transmission... :shifting:

 

[Dave Z]

Maybe they should be GLAD they did not sell more Darts.

 

[Mike V.]

The posters in these cases clearly stated that it was the manual transmission... :shifting:

Maybe they are having slave issues on both. At my dealer the trans guy is a close friend, only complains about the DDCT slaves.

In general, very few Darts and LX cars come in for service.

Mike

 

[UN4GTBL]

Maybe they are having slave issues on both. At my dealer the trans guy is a close friend, only complains about the DDCT slaves.

In general, very few Darts and LX cars come in for service.

Mike

Exactly, it was both. The DDCT is only an automated version of the manual after all.

 

[Mike V.]

Exactly, it was both. The DDCT is only an automated version of the manual after all.

Right, and the slave is a pain to replace. We had pictures here on Allpar.

http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2012/12/a-deeper-look-at-the-dart-ddct-recall

Mike

 

[Roryn44]

FYI the Dodge Dart model year is going to be extended so that the 2013 Dart Gt can happen. 2014 model year will start in the fall instead of late summer. Seems like the Dart won't get the needed adjustments.

http://www.freep.com/article/20130606/BUSINESS0103/306060067/Dodge-Dart-GT

 

[joe_]

People wanted a 2013 Dart GT. I feel like Chrysler's giving people what they want ... without actually giving them what they want.

 

[Mike V.]

FYI the Dodge Dart model year is going to be extended so that the 2013 Dart Gt can happen. 2014 model year will start in the fall instead of late summer. Seems like the Dart won't get the needed adjustments.

http://www.freep.com/article/20130606/BUSINESS0103/306060067/Dodge-Dart-GT

Dart has been getting needed adjustments.

Mike

 

[Roryn44]

Its good to see them listening to their customers, would definitely love to see the 9 speed with the 2 litre, I would assume that would help with the sluggishness people keep whining about. 9 gears would amplify the low torque correct?

 

[Paul J. Reed]

So how does this all work? 2013 ordering is closed... Will they open it again just for the GT?