Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2012 Dodge Durango — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2015 to Dec 2016
The most reported issue is electrical system problems (204 complaints). 16 complaints involved crashes. 32 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (10)
NHTSA Campaign: 17V435000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 15V879000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
Risk: The vanity lamp wiring may short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 17V572000
Component: SERVICE BRAKES
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.
Risk: If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 14V154000
Component: SERVICE BRAKES
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.
Risk: The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 14V391000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
Risk: If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 15V115000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 14V104000
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 11V487000
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
Risk: CONNECTING ROD FAILURE MAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 14V634000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
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.
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 19V813000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 637)
Electrical System →5 issues
Your vehicle caught fire while parked and unoccupied, with the interior completely burned despite no visible exterior fire damage. An unknown warning light was on before the fire occurred. This electrical system failure resulted in the vehicle being declared a total loss, and while a similar recall exists, your vehicle's VIN wasn't included in it. The repair would require a complete electrical system inspection and replacement of burned wiring and components.
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Your battery warning light came on while driving, and you smelled a burning odor. When you checked under the hood, your alternator was glowing red hot and smoking—the fire started by the failed alternator also damaged your PCM (engine computer) and radio. Your vehicle had a recall for this exact issue and model year, but your VIN wasn't included in it. The repair involved replacing the alternator and PCM.
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You discovered that your 2012 Dodge Durango's actual mileage is significantly higher than what was shown at purchase. The dealer told you the car had 96,000 miles when you bought it, but the vehicle title and Carfax report later revealed it actually had 162,000 miles. This mileage discrepancy suggests odometer fraud occurred before you purchased the vehicle from the dealer.
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Your alternator failed and caused damage to your vehicle's engine control computer (PCM). While your specific vehicle wasn't included in a known recall for this issue, the owner notes that similar problems have affected certain vehicles. Fixing this will likely require replacing both the alternator and the engine control computer.
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Your Dodge Durango is stalling unexpectedly while driving at various speeds when you press the accelerator pedal. A dealer identified this as a battery-related electrical issue, and you found it matches a known NHTSA safety campaign (19V813000) for electrical system defects. The vehicle has not yet been repaired.
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Engine,fuel/propulsion System →2 issues
Your vehicle randomly stalls while driving, sometimes under braking, which causes the steering to lock up even though the dashboard electronics appear normal. Dodge has attempted multiple fuel pump relay replacements since you bought the car in 2012, but none have permanently fixed the problem. The dealership and manufacturer have refused to take further action despite your repeated requests, leaving you with a vehicle that could lose power and steering control without warning.
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Your engine may suddenly misfire and hesitate during acceleration without warning, which nearly caused you a collision. A mechanic found a stuck valve on the driver's side of your 3.6L engine, an issue that Dodge has documented in a technical service bulletin for similar engines. This loss of power during critical moments like highway merging creates a serious safety risk. The fix will likely involve inspecting and repairing or replacing the affected valve and cylinder head components.
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Air Bags,seats →2 issues
Your car's driver-side headrest suddenly deployed with force, hitting your teen driver in the head and causing a severe headache, even though there was no accident or impact. The dealership explained that a pin holding the headrest's airbag restraint system can break, causing it to deploy unexpectedly. Replacing the entire headrest costs around $1,100 since it cannot be repaired once deployed.
Parts you may need:
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Your headrest suddenly exploded while you were driving and struck you in the head, resulting in a concussion. The dealership has indicated there is no active recall for this issue, but since the headrest is a safety component, you believe the manufacturer should cover the repair cost rather than requiring you to pay out of pocket. Fixing this will likely involve replacing the headrest assembly and investigating why it failed.
Parts you may need:
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Power Train,electrical System →2 issues
Your vehicle suddenly stalled without warning while you were pulling into a parking lot. When you tried to jump-start it, the jumper cables began to melt, indicating an electrical problem. A mechanic discovered that the alternator had failed and damaged the battery, so both were replaced. However, this revealed that the engine control module (PCM) was also damaged. After replacing the alternator again at the dealer, the PCM failed again, leaving you with $3,000 in repairs and ongoing electrical issues.
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Your windshield wipers turned on by themselves and your car randomly shut off, with multiple shops unable to diagnose the problem until you discovered there were recalls—including one for the alternator. After the dealership fixed the recalls, you still have shifting problems and a transmission control module (TCM) fault code. A mechanic told you the failed alternator caused the TCM to fail, but the dealership won't diagnose or repair it without charging over $170. Fixing this will likely require replacing the transmission control module and possibly additional electrical system repairs.
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Engine →2 issues
Your engine starts but shuts off after just 2-3 seconds of running, and you have to turn it off and restart it to get it going again. This happens randomly when you first start the vehicle. The issue likely involves the fuel system, ignition system, or engine sensors.
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While driving at about 35 mph, your Durango suddenly stalled and lost power steering. You were able to restart it by shifting to park. No warning lights came on before this happened. The dealer replaced the fuel pump, but the stalling problem continued to occur even after the repair.
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Engine And Engine Cooling,vehicle Speed Control →1 issue
Your check engine light came on, and about three weeks later your vehicle accelerated on its own while stopped at a traffic light. After multiple trips to mechanics, technicians found and repaired several issues including a blown timing chain, faulty oxygen sensors, a cracked intake manifold, head gasket failure, and a misfiring cylinder. Despite these repairs, the problem kept returning. Fixing this will likely require a thorough diagnostic scan to identify the root cause, which may involve replacing the oxygen sensors, timing chain, head gasket, and intake manifold.
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Air Bags →1 issue
Your car's airbag warning light is illuminated on the dashboard. When this light is on, your airbags will not deploy in a crash, which is a serious safety issue. You'll need to have a mechanic diagnose the SRS (airbag) system using diagnostic equipment to identify what's triggering the warning.
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Service Brakes →1 issue
You took your Durango to a Dodge dealership to have two recalls fixed: a brake booster water shield repair and another recall. The dealership completed one recall but told you they cannot fix the brake booster recall because the part won't be available for a year, leaving you concerned about your safety while this recall remains unrepaired.
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Suspension,electrical System,visibility/wiper →1 issue
Your car has major issues affecting the suspension, electrical system, and windshield wipers. Without more specific details about what's happening, the repair could involve anything from replacing worn suspension components to fixing electrical connections or wiper motor problems.
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Fuel/propulsion System →1 issue
Your Dodge Durango is stalling when you try to accelerate from a complete stop at traffic lights or stop signs. Additionally, sometimes your engine won't turn over on the first attempt—it keeps cranking repeatedly and you have to wait for it to stop before trying to start it again. Even though this issue may have been recalled previously, the problem persists. This likely requires diagnosis of your fuel system and ignition components to identify why the engine isn't starting or staying running during these conditions.
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Unknown Or Other →1 issue
While driving normally with your vehicle in auto AWD mode, the transmission unexpectedly tries to shift into Low range without any action from you, and the Low range indicator light flickers on the dashboard. This occurs randomly during regular driving.
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Power Train,electrical System,engine →1 issue
Your Durango is experiencing an electrical problem affecting the powertrain and engine. This could impact how your engine starts or runs. The issue may require diagnosis of the electrical system components that power your engine.
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