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Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2017 Dodge DurangoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 214 owner complaints for the 2017 Dodge Durango. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (81) and electrical system (61). The EPA rates it 17–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17–21mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest May 2018
Owner complaints
214
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Electrical system: wiring

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Electrical systemReported May 17, 2018NHTSA 18V332000

Power train: axle shaft

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Durango vehicles. The vehicles may have been assembled with rear axle halfshafts that are too short.

Power trainReported Aug 31, 2017NHTSA 17V541000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

214 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2016 – Oct 2026
  1. Exterior lighting81
  2. Electrical system61
  3. Engine28
  4. Power train23
  5. Fuel/propulsion system16
  6. Seats11
  7. Steering11
  8. Vehicle speed control10
  9. Structure10

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
9
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
11
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Exterior lighting

81 reports1 crash
“The rear racetrack led keeps getting water inside them and shorting out all of the lights on the tailgate. When this happens I don’t have taillights, running lights, brake lights, reverse lights or even tag lights who’s is all extremely dangerous when driving and the car doesn’t tell me anything about it. I notice it usually when I get in the car because the lights don’t flash in the back when I unlock it but when I’m not home and this happens I still have to get home to fix the issue and luckily I’ve been able to get them to drain and come back on for now. It’s been happening periodically for years”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2026Exterior lightingODI 11772894

Electrical system

61 reports3 crashes1 fire
“The vehicle involved is a 2017 Dodge Durango. The primary systems malfunctioning include the engine cooling system, braking system, and electrical system. The engine repeatedly overheats while driving and has produced smoke from under the hood, creating a risk of breakdown or fire. The braking system is unreliable, with the brake pedal going down too far and not providing proper stopping power, increasing the risk of a crash. The electrical system malfunctions unpredictably, including windshield wipers and interior controls turning on and off without input. These issues have occurred multiple times and have left the vehicle stranded on the side of the road, including at night. This has placed the driver and passengers at risk in unsafe conditions and traffic environments. The problems began shortly after purchase and have been ongoing. The issues have not been properly resolved. A mechanic was supposed to inspect the vehicle, but it is UNKNOWN if a full inspection was completed. Warning signs included overheating temperature readings, smoke, weak braking response, and electrical irregularities prior to failure. The vehicle is currently not reliable or safe to…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 29, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11734696

Engine

28 reports1 crash1 fire
“Vehicle overheats while at a stop. Problem has been happening for past 8 months. Leaking antifreeze under transmission. Shop unable to diagnose problem after various attempts. Researched problem online and discovered many 2017 durango owners are having issue. Many saying it's due to manufacture problem. It's a safety issue for my family and I since I don't know what the problem is to fix it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 25, 2026EngineODI 11739965
All 2017 Durango problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl · 5.7L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 8-spd
Drive
4-Wheel Drive · Rear-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Midgrade 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 8, 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 AWD
Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
182521$2,950427
Durango RWD
Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192621$2,950414
Durango AWD
Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
142217$4,200523
Durango RWD
Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142217$4,200525
  • Durango AWD
    Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Durango RWD
    Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Durango AWD
    Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    14 city · 22 hwy · $4,200/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Durango RWD
    Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    14 city · 22 hwy · $4,200/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Dodge Durango SUV 2WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Overall
4 / 5
Dodge Durango SUV 4WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.2%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 11322Vehicle 11321
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

2017 Durango questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Dodge Durango have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 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 2017 Dodge Durango problems?

Owners filed 214 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (81), electrical system (61), engine (28). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Dodge Durango get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Dodge Durango at 17–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2017 Dodge Durango?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Dodge Durango 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026