Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2009 Dodge DurangoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 19 owner complaints for the 2009 Dodge Durango. Most complaints involve electrical system (4) and air bags (3). The EPA rates it 15–21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
15–21mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jan 2018
Owner complaints
19
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2018NHTSA 18V021000

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen vehicles manufactured January 17, 2007, to December 18, 2008, and 2010 RAM 3500 cab chassis manufactured September 25, 2009, to February 1, 2010. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Air bagsReported Dec 23, 2016NHTSA 16V947000

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

Air bagsReported May 24, 2016NHTSA 16V352000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

19 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2009 – Mar 2018
  1. Electrical system4
  2. Air bags3
  3. Fuel system, gasoline3
  4. Power train3
  5. Service brakes1
  6. Suspension1
  7. Steering1
  8. Seats1
  9. Fuel/propulsion system1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Durango model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1998976
19992,012
20001,097
2001665
2002434
2003339
20041,115
20051,567
2006852
2007275
200897
200919
2011800
2012640
2013640
2014786
2015505
2016161
2017214
2018234
2019145
202056
2021208
202261
202339
202414
20258
202615
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

4 reports1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE ENTIRE DOOR PANEL WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INDEPENDENT INSPECTOR TO PERFORM A BRIEF INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE FIRE UNDOUBTEDLY ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOTOR CONTROL SWITCH, WHICH MOVES THE SEAT. THE CHRYSLER ENGINEERS REVIEWED THE INSPECTOR'S REPORT AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE NUMBER OF YEARS THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2014Electrical system, SeatsFire reportedODI 10631938

Air bags

3 reports
“I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. BEFORE THEY STARTED TO DO THE WORK THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO MY CAR BECAUSE IT WAS AN OLDER MODEL. I AM VERY UPSET THAT I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SAFETY REASONS AND THEY COULD DAMAGE MY CAR IN THE PROCESS! HOW UNFAIR ON THE PART OF THE CONSUMER TO MAKE THEM PAY FOR POSSIBLE DAMAGE WHEN THEY ARE TAKING THEIR CAR IN FOR SAFETY REASONS! AND DODGE DOESN'T BELIEVE IN THE INTEGRITY OF THEIR OWN PRODUCT AT THE SAME TIME! THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE NHTSA!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 2, 2017Air bagsODI 10949078

Fuel system, gasoline

3 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE FUEL TANK WOULD NOT FILL UP PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TOOK 45 MINUTES FOR THE FUEL TANK TO BECOME FILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A SCREEN INSIDE THE FUEL TANK THAT WAS FILLED WITH PARTICLES, WHICH BLOCKED THE FUEL FROM ENTERING THE TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. UPDATED 09/29/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS TANK RUSTED, DUE TO THE GAS LEAK. UPDATED 10/04/16. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 22, 2016Fuel system, gasolineODI 10887858
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Engines
5.7L 8-cyl hybrid · 3.7L 6-cyl · 5.7L 8-cyl · 4.7L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Durango HEV
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202221$2,950423
Durango 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$3,900555
Durango 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$3,900555
Durango 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141915$4,150592
Durango 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131915$4,150592
Durango 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131815$4,150592
  • Durango HEV
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    20 city · 22 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Durango 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Durango 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Durango 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Durango 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    13 city · 19 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Durango 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Dodge Durango as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 5163
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 Durango questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Dodge Durango have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2009 Dodge Durango problems?

Owners filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (4), air bags (3), fuel system, gasoline (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Dodge Durango get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Dodge Durango at 15–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026