2012 Dodge Durango
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 4 |
| 1998 | 965 |
| 1999 | 1967 |
| 2000 | 1075 |
| 2001 | 665 |
| 2002 | 423 |
| 2003 | 338 |
| 2004 | 1114 |
| 2005 | 1567 |
| 2006 | 851 |
| 2007 | 191 |
| 2008 | 97 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2011 | 797 |
| 2012 | 637 |
| 2013 | 640 |
| 2014 | 781 |
| 2015 | 502 |
| 2016 | 159 |
| 2017 | 210 |
| 2018 | 227 |
| 2019 | 139 |
| 2020 | 53 |
| 2021 | 183 |
| 2022 | 53 |
| 2023 | 26 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 7 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
53% of complaints: electrical system — 337 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
While driving our 2012 Dodge Durango in town, we noticed the battery warning light come on and a hot smell coming from the vehicle. We were not far from home so we limped it back home to the garage to see what was going on.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240815
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V435000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171101
OUR 2012 DODGE DURANGO R/T WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AS A REPLACEMENT FOR LEMON LAW BUY BACK OF OUR 2009 DODGE JOURNEY. THE DURANGO IS PLAGUED WITH DESIGN FLAWS. THE MOST OBVIOUS IS THE TIPM TOTAL INTEGRATED MODULE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140520
22% of complaints: engine — 141 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE14% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 89 distinct reports on file.
11% of complaints: service brakes — 70 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, ADDITIONAL PRESSURE WAS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO ATTEMPT TO STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN COLD WEATHER BUT NOW HAS ALSO HAPPENED IN SUMMER. THE BRAKES FAILED TO COMPLETELY SLOW THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH OCCURRED AT SLOW SPEED. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20140627
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AT APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 5 MPH AND PULLING INTO HER CARPORT, AS SHE WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKES THEY DID NOT ENGAGE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20121101
6% of complaints: steering — 40 distinct reports on file.
CRASHSAFETY TIMELINE
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
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.
Campaign 11V487000 — check if this car was fixed
Headliner Fires
Headliner Fires
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.
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.
Campaign 14V104000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 14V154000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 14V391000 — check if this car was fixed
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
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...
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.
Campaign 14V634000 — check if this car was fixed
Post 14V-391 Headliner Fires
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...
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.
Campaign 15V115000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 15V879000 — check if this car was fixed
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles.
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.
Campaign 17V572000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 17V435000 — check if this car was fixed
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
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.
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.
Campaign 19V813000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2012 Dodge Durango — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (337 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (141 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (89 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 11V487000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V104000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V154000 (service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V391000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V634000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V115000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V879000 (electrical system, interior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V572000 (service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V435000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V813000 (electrical system) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2012 Dodge Durango reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Dodge Durango is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Durango?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 53% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Durango have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.