VehicleVerdict

2012 Dodge Durango problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 917 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.8 times the median Durango year — the 2012 model ranks #10 of 29 Durango years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 19 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 354 reports (39% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

917

NHTSA complaints

10

Recalls

5

Investigations

24

Crash-involved

43

Fires reported

19

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other Durango years?

See all Durango years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Dodge Durango problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System35439%
Engine14916%
Fuel System9911%
Brakes768%
Steering414%
Other414%
Transmission374%
Airbags283%
Lighting263%
Speed Control243%
Visibility & Wipers91%
Seats81%
Tires & Wheels81%
Suspension61%
Seat Belts51%
Driver Assistance40%
Body & Structure20%

Does the 2012 Dodge Durango have recalls?

10 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V813000Electrical SystemNovember 14, 2019 · 528,594 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 3.6, 5.7, or 6.4 liter engine and previously recalled under NHTSA Recall 14V530 or 15V115. The fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.

Consequence

A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) will replace the affected fuel pump relay and related wire harness. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed beginning December 19, 2019. Vehicles that experience a fuel pump failure will receive an interim repair. Owners will receive a second notice when the final remedy becomes available. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V62.

17V572000BrakesSeptember 18, 2017 · 646,394 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles had brake booster shields installed under a previous campaign to prevent water from entering the brake booster and limiting braking ability. This recall is to verify that the brake booster shield installation was performed properly.

Consequence

If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster shield, correcting the installation as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November10, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T59.

17V435000Electrical SystemJuly 10, 2017 · 442,214 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Consequence

If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.

15V879000LightingDecember 28, 2015 · 389,252 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured December 3, 2009, to September 1, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after having been remedied for a prior recall for the vanity lamp wiring. This recall is also addressing certain vehicles that have not been remedied under that prior recall.

Consequence

The vanity lamp wiring may short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealer will install clearance for sun visor wiring, protection from sharp edges, and replace the sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R71.

15V115000Electrical SystemFebruary 27, 2015 · 339,525 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 17, 2010, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6, 5.7 or 6.4 liter engine, and 2012-2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured January 18, 2011, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6 or 5.7 liter engine. In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.

Consequence

A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump relay with one external to the TIPM. The recall began on August 7, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R09. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 14V-530. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 19V813.

14V634000Electrical SystemOctober 8, 2014 · 435,081 units

Defect

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Consequence

If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.

14V391000Electrical SystemJuly 2, 2014 · 653,562 units

Defect

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 5, 2010, through December 11, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after a service repair is performed.

Consequence

If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any damaged wiring, and install a new sun visor that properly routes the wire, free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P36.

14V154000BrakesApril 1, 2014 · 646,498 units

Defect

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010, through September 8, 2013. The subject vehicles have a brake booster with a center shell that may corrode and allow water to get inside.

Consequence

The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a water diverter shield to the booster after the booster has been tested to confirm it can hold an acceptable amount of vacuum pressure. If the booster inspection confirms an unacceptable loss of vacuum pressure, the booster will be replaced. Repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is P14.

14V104000BrakesMarch 4, 2014 · 18,780 units

Defect

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 11, 2011, through October 1, 2012. Under certain braking events, the Ready Alert Braking System (RAB) may result in the driver experiencing a hard brake pedal feel.

Consequence

If the driver experiences a hard brake pedal, the driver may not push the pedal as intended, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS module software, free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number associated with this recall is P05.

11V487000EngineSeptember 29, 2011 · 667 units

Defect

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHRYSLER VEHICLES, INCLUDING 200 AND TOWN AND COUNTRY MODELS, DODGE VEHICLES, INCLUDING CHARGER, DURANGO, GRAND CARAVAN AND JOURNEY MODELS AND JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 31, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13, 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH 3.6L ENGINES. THESE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILURE DUE TO DEBRIS INSIDE THE ENGINE BLOCK.

Consequence

CONNECTING ROD FAILURE MAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ENGINE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

DRIVING, SUDDENLY CHARGING STATION LIGHT FLASHED ON SCREEN AND VEHICLE WAS MAKING REVING ENGINE SOUND. PULLED OVER AND SMOKE WAS EXITING FRONT GRILL. ALL ELECTRICAL DIED AND COULDN'T GET KEY OUT OF IGNITION. CALLED TOWING TO AUTO SHOP THAT WAS AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY. DIAGNOSIS WAS ALTERNATOR HAD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 10, 2018 · fire

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A 2 LANE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND ONCE PULLED OVER ON THE SHOULDER WE NOTICED A FUNNY SMELL AND FLAMES COMING UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR BURNED UP AND ITS TOTALLED. LUCKILY NOONE IS HURT. *DT PHOTOS ATTACHED *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 20, 2019 · fire

IT TOOK 30 MINUTES FOR MY HUSBAND TO CRANK MY CAR. HE HAD TO TAP ON RELAYS IN THE FUSE BOX TO GET IT GOING. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THE PRIOR EVENING. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ASK ABOUT RECALL AND THEY SAID CHRYSLER HAD NOT COME UP WITH A FIX YET. SO THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 6, 2020

I WAS DRIVING THIS MORNING,APPROXIMATELY 7:40 AM. I WAS COMING UP TO A RED LIGHT AND MY BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. I PUSHED ON THE BRAKES AND NOTHING. IT SLID INTO ANOTHER CAR. THE FRONT OF MY CAR IS DAMAGED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY BRAKE BOOSTER; I HAD MY CAR SERVICED MONTHS AGO. I CALLED THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 23, 2015 · crash

RECALL R09 DID NOT FIX ISSUE WITH CAR SHUTTING OFF AND IGNITION STICKING. CAR SHUTS OFF ON FREEWAY AND OFF-RAMPS REGULARLY. PROBLEM CONTINUED AND NOW TIPM FAILURE.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 25, 2015 · crash

2012 Dodge Durango — common questions

Is the 2012 Dodge Durango reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 917 complaints put the 2012 model at #10 of 29 Durango years. It is one of the Durango years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 Durango problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (354 complaints), engine (149 complaints), fuel system (99 complaints).

Does the 2012 Dodge Durango have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Dodge Durango. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 Dodge Durango under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Durango years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Durango years to avoid are 1999, 2005, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2011, 2006, 2014, 2001, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2002, 2018, 2007, 2008, 2009. The cleanest record among Durango years belongs to 1997.

How safe is the 2012 Dodge Durango?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 Dodge Durango earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.