Problems · NHTSA complaints
2012 Dodge Durango problems
Owners filed 640 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Durango with NHTSA between Dec 2011 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (347).
Complaints
640
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
17
Reported by owners
Fires
32
Reported by owners
Injuries
16
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system347
- Engine141
- Fuel/propulsion system89
- Service brakes71
- Steering42
- Power train37
- Air bags28
- Vehicle speed control24
- Exterior lighting19
- Fuel system, gasoline10
- Electronic stability control (esc)10
- Engine and engine cooling8
- Seats8
- Interior lighting7
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
5
8
107
121
50
84
61
47
64
42
21
13
6
5
5
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 107 |
| 2015 | 121 |
| 2016 | 50 |
| 2017 | 84 |
| 2018 | 61 |
| 2019 | 47 |
| 2020 | 64 |
| 2021 | 42 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
347 reports4 crashes30 fires6 related recalls
“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 been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Yes the problem hasi been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. No, the vehicle has not been taken to an inspector, manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Here is what my vehicle is doing. symptoms. While driving the vehicle the car experiences a sudden total power loss, the engine cutting off and restarting on its own, the AC cycling on and off strangely, and the weak acceleration combined with the vehicle jerking.”
Engine
141 reports3 crashes4 fires
“My vehicle has had recalls performed multiple times since 1st purchased in 2012. The issue was vehicle stalling. At 1st Chrysler / Dodge addressed it as issues upon start up where the vehicle sounded as though it was skipping when hitting the ignition button. They attempted to remedy this with multiple fuel pump relay recalls. They attempted to do internal which did not work. They then went external which also did not work. Nothing was ever formerly recognized as a suitable resolution, so any of us dealing with this were just forgotten. Well I still have this vehicle and it has gotten worse to the point the vehicle will randomly stall while in motion as it did the other day and on multiple other occasions. Under braking conditions the vehicle stalls where everything on the dash appears normal electronically, there is just no power and the steering locks up. I have addressed this multiple times with Dodge customer service as well as my local dealership. The dealership does not want to attempt any repairs because they want to be paid and the manufacturer is not entertaining it. I am aware the vehicle is out of warranty but I am not paying for something the…”
Fuel/propulsion system
89 reports
“There have been several times where I am stopped at a light or stop sign and the car stalls. It happens when I try to start going from the stop, not while I'm stopped. I believe this an issue that has been recalled already, but obviously, it did not fix the problem. My vehicle will also not turn over sometimes. It just continually try to turn over multiple times and I have to wait for it to stop on its own before I can try again.”
Service brakes
71 reports5 crashes2 related recalls
“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”
Steering
42 reports3 crashes
“I’ll be driving down the road and my car just shuts off. Steering becomes tight, no engine lights come on radio is still playing no warning except driving down the road and all of a sudden you can’t steer. It’s very dangerous especially when it happens while you are driving around the curve with children in the car. My mechanic can’t tell me why this happens. No explanation. This has happen several times”
Power train
37 reports2 crashes
“While picking my son up from religion my vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. Thankfully I was pulling into the church parking lot and was in no real danger. I tried to jump start the vehicle with no success, but did notice the insulation on the jumper cables had started to melt. Towed to mechanic and was told the alternator had failed, in turn fried the battery. He replaced both, but then discovered the PCM was fried as well. Took it to the dealer here and was told faulty alternator again, which was replaced again, only to be told the PCM was fried. Now I'm into this for $3000 and I have no faith in the vehicle, the manufacturer, or the dealerships.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.