VehicleVerdict

2012 Dodge Durango engine problems

The 2012 Dodge Durango has 149 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 16% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

149

Engine complaints

16%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2012 Dodge Durango have?

NHTSA has 149 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Durango engine — 16% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Dodge Durango engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 11V487000.

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.