DETROIT (Jan. 7, 2014) — FCA US L.L.C. is recalling 1,056 2015 model-year Dodge Dart Aero models due to tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) that may not activate when tire pressure falls below the telltale level.
The vehicles being recalled are equipped with a “premium” dashboard cluster and “lowline” TPMS, according to FCA. A lowline system is considered less sophisticated than a highline system in that the system's wheel sensors transmit on their own at fixed or random intervals and not necessarily when prompted by the vehicle's monitoring software.
FCA said the problem lines in that the premium cluster and lowline TPMS are not compatible and therefore will not illuminate the low tire pressure telltale when low tire pressure is detected.
The cars being recalled were assembled between Aug. 24 and Oct. 28, 2014, at FCA's Belvidere, Ill., plant, the auto maker said.
FCA said it will remedy the problem by reconfiguring all the Darts being recalled with a “highline” TPMS — that is, one that monitors each tire's pressure individually.
The Aero model of the Dart is a higher mileage version, offering 28 mpg city and 41 mph highway, according to Dodge literature. It features active grill shutters and underbody aerodynamic treatment to help it achieve higher mileage.