Problems · by component

2012 Dodge Durango air bags problems

28 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Durango cite air bags, 4% of all 640 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
28
4% of all complaints
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
12
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“My fairly new teen driver drove the car to the gym and the headrest basically “exploded” onto the back of his head with a swift blow. He had a very bad headache and was really freaked out. There were no lights, no notice, no impact. Just out of the blue drivers side. Called local dealership to see what it could be and apparently the pin can break or the plastic holding the pin and the airbag restraint type system in the headrest will just explode open as if in an accident. He said no recalls and out of warranty. How can this NOT be a serious safety issue??? My inexperienced teen driver could have been so stunned he caused an accident! Anyways they said it would be roughly $1100 to replace entire headrest because there is no option to repair it once deployed. Can we still drive it? If we don’t have that $ now”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 16, 2024Air bags, SeatsODI 11572408
“Headrest exploded while I was driving. Hit me in the head. Gave me a concussion. Dealership says there is no recall. I have to pay out of pocket. This is a safety feature. I am not paying for the repairs.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 27, 2023Air bags, SeatsODI 11546793
“The headrest deployed under normal driving conditions. A quick google search shows I'm not the only one with this issue. Some have described this issue as the headrest "exploding" since it disengages in a very quick and forceful manner. Some Dodge Durango Models from 2011 - 2018 fall under recall "(X88) Active Head Restraint" but for some reason I'm being told my 2012 Dodge Durango does not fall under this same recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 9, 2022Air bags, SeatsODI 11478415
“Hard, front collision with deer, spun several times before rolling over a couple times down a small hill. Side air bags deployed but front did not deploy resulting in severer and additional driver injuries including but not limited to chest contusions, spleen hematoma and concussion. He was hospitalized and has a long road ahead. Car was totaled and towed. Insurance company has it now. They and responders are aware front air bags did not deploy. Consumer stated husband had severe injuries.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 2, 2021Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11442451
“A FIRE STARTED IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARGE AND TURNED OFF. NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE. ABOUT 45 MINUTES AFTER THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 6, 2021Electrical system, Air bagsFire reportedODI 11406773
“ON NOV 28 2020 I WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN MY 2012 DODGE DURANGO. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH ON A DRY 2 WAY ROAD, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I WAS UNABLE TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE ACCIDENT WAS BAD ENOUGH TO FLIP THE OTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSE THEIR AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY BUT THE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED ME AND MY PASSENGER TO HAVE NO PROTECTION, OTHER THAN THE SAFETY RESTRAINTS. BOTH HAVE SUFFERED HEAD, NECK AND BACK INJURIES. IN THIS ACCIDENT DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF FRONT END DAMAGE, THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. NOT SURE IF THERE WAS A FAULTY SENSOR OR IF MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN APART OF THE AIR BAG RECALL LIST, LIKE MY 2 OTHERS. BUT LIVES WERE AT STAKE AND COULD HAVE BEEN LOST. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 8, 2020Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11378468

Showing 6 of 28 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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