2012 Dodge Durango problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 156 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Durango, most often about electrical system. There are 10 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
156
Recalls
10
Crashes
5
Fires
9
Injuries
10
Median mileage
119,425 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 88 of 156 complaints (56%).
  • Engine (45) and fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion (36) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 119,425 mi.
  • Owners reported 5 crashes, 9 fires and 10 injuries.
  • The 2012 Dodge Durango has 10 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 5 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 5th of 20 Dodge Durango model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 26% more complaints than the 2011 model year (124).

2012 Dodge Durango problems by category

  • 88 complaints
  • Engine · 1 crash
    45 complaints
  • 36 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    10 complaints
  • Airbags · 3 crashes
    9 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain · 1 crash
    7 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    7 complaints
  • Steering · 1 crash
    6 complaints
  • Brakes · 1 crash
    5 complaints
  • Lighting
    4 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    4 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    3 complaints
  • Suspension
    2 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    2 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Electrical system86
Engine41
Fuel/propulsion system31
Unknown or other10
Air bags9
Power train7
Seats6
Steering6

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k210k–30k530k–60k1960k–100k36100k–150k22150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2012 Dodge Durango complaints that list mileage.

2012 Dodge Durango recalls (10)

  • Recall 19V813000Nov 14, 2019528,594 vehicles
    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.

    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.

  • Recall 17V572000Sep 18, 2017646,394 vehicles
    SERVICE BRAKES · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

    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.

    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.

  • Recall 17V435000Jul 10, 2017442,214 vehicles
    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.

    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.

  • Recall 15V879000Dec 28, 2015389,252 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · INTERIOR LIGHTING

    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.

    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.

  • Recall 15V115000Feb 27, 2015339,525 vehicles
    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.

    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.

  • Recall 14V634000Oct 8, 2014435,081 vehicles
    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.

    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.

  • Recall 14V391000Jul 2, 2014653,562 vehicles
    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.

    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.

  • Recall 14V154000Apr 1, 2014646,498 vehicles
    SERVICE BRAKES · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

    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.

    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.

  • Recall 14V104000Mar 4, 201418,780 vehicles
    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.

    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.

  • Recall 11V487000Sep 29, 2011667 vehicles
    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.

    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.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • PE19014Opened Sep 9, 2019Closed Feb 25, 2026

    Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment

    The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments in…

  • RQ15003Opened May 1, 2015Closed Jul 6, 2016led to recall 15V879000

    Post 14V-391 Headliner Fires

    In response to this investigation, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is conducting a recall to address headliner fires that occur post 14V-391.On December 22, 2015 FCA notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of safety recall 15V-879 to remedy potential headliner fires occurring in 389,252 model year (MY) 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from December 3, 2009 to September 1, 2012.Note this recall, which was scoped based on vehicle design level and field events, does not include all MY 2013 or any MY 2014 Durango and Grand Cherokee vehicles; ODI and …

  • DP14004Opened Sep 25, 2014Closed Jul 24, 2015

    Totally Integrated Power Module Failure

    In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that TIPM defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On September 25, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened DP14-004 to…

  • EA14001Opened Jan 10, 2014Closed Aug 12, 2014led to recall 14V391000

    Headliner Fires

    On July 1st, 2014 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it would conduct a safety recall to remedy a wiring-related fire hazard on the headliner of approximately 661,888 model year (MY) 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured between January 5, 2010 and December 11, 2013 (see NHTSA Safety Recall 14V-391), with notifications to begin in August 2014. According to Chrysler, the fire is caused by an electrical short in the vanity lamp wiring for either one of the sun visors mounted on the vehicle. The sun visors are moun…

  • PE13027Opened Aug 19, 2013Closed Jan 14, 2014

    Headliner Fires

    The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified 5 reports of vehicle headliners catching fire at the front of the vehicle near the sun visors on Jeep Grand Cherokees.Customers reported a range of fire conditions ranging from minor overheating to an open flame at the headliner and/or sun visor material while driving the vehicle. In some reports the fire spread to the front seats and/or door panels of the vehicle.In one report, the sunroof was damaged causing the glass to shatter.The cause of these fires is an electrical short in the vanity lighting wiring circuit that is routed to eith…

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2012 Dodge Durango SUV 2WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆
2012 Dodge Durango SUV 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆

Recent 2012 Dodge Durango complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 7, 2026INCrashBrakesElectrical SystemSteering
    The component or system failed or malfunctioned, is the accelerator, brakes, stirring and electrical. The car is available for inspection upon your request. The car is having problems coming to a stop and it is very difficult to control the vehicle because the steering becomes so hard when the power shuts down on the vehicle as I'm driving it. I think and believe that that poses a high risk of someone getting hurt or injured and then some cases perhaps death. the problem…
    NHTSA complaint #11762564 · source
  2. Filed Aug 19, 2026MOElectrical System
    Vehicle was unable to start upon attempts in the morning. Was able to get it jumped and started. Less than 5 minutes later the dash lights along with radio lights began to flicker, the front windshield wipers activated, and the battery light came on. Immediately after the vehicle completely stopped, steering wheel got tight and hard to turn and a pole was barely missed as I attempted to maneuver the vehicle as close to the side of the road as possible. There was a complete…
    NHTSA complaint #11757912 · source
  3. Filed Aug 16, 2026KYElectrical System
    We were driving on the interstate in northern Kentucky when the battery alert LED appeared on the dash. We exited the highway while looking up info on possible car repair shops to go to when the vehicle stalled on the exit ramp. We immediately engaged the emergency flashers but they failed eventually due to a completely dead battery. It was determined that the alternator was fried, unable to charge the battery.
    NHTSA complaint #11757232 · source
  4. Filed Mar 5, 2026162,000 miNJElectrical System
    Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 96,000. A Carfax Report was provided at the time of purchase. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 162,000 when the vehicle was taken to the dealer for an engine issue, and upon receiving the Carfax Report.
    NHTSA complaint #11722172 · source
  5. Filed Mar 2, 2026190,000 miTXEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control
    The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated. Approximately three weeks later, while stopped at a light, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The gear shifter was shifted to park(P) to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the timing chain was blown. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure…
    NHTSA complaint #11721460 · source
  6. Filed Oct 21, 2025MTElectrical System
    Alternator went out and fried the pcm. I know certain vehicles were on the recall for this and mine was not one of them but odd that it happened anyways.
    NHTSA complaint #11694892 · source
  7. Filed Jun 28, 2025GABrakes
    I took my Durango to Albany ga to dodge dealership for recall on brake booster water shield repair plus the other recall they fixed one recall and say they can't fix brake booster recall cause they say they will not have part available til a year later which I have concerns about my safety of recall not being repaired for a whole year
    NHTSA complaint #11669862 · source
  8. Filed Jun 17, 2025186,488 miIAFireElectrical System
    The contact owned a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact opened the door and noticed that the interior of the vehicle was completely burned. The vehicle was unoccupied. The contact stated the exterior of the vehicle had no signs of fire. The vehicle was towed to the local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss. In addition, the contact stated that prior to the failure, there was an unknown warning light…
    NHTSA complaint #11667452 · source

Compare the 2012 Dodge Durango with another vehicle →

Other 2012 Dodge models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology