Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2026 Dodge DurangoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 15 owner complaints for the 2026 Dodge Durango. Most complaints involve power train (3) and electrical system (2). The EPA rates it 13–20 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
13–20mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Oct 2026
Owner complaints
15
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: tail lights

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Dodge Durango vehicles. The terminals in the tail light wiring harness may be damaged and cause the tail lights to fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Exterior lightingReported Oct 22, 2026NHTSA 26V701000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

15 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2026 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train3
  2. Electrical system2
  3. Visibility/wiper2
  4. Suspension2
  5. Service brakes2
  6. Seat belts1
  7. Back over prevention1
  8. Engine and engine cooling1
  9. Vehicle speed control1

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
0
Injuries reported
0
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

Power train

3 reports
“Approximately 10/18/26 I noticed whenever I release the gas pedal my vehicle didn't down shift, but stayed at 25-30mph until i applied the brakes hard and manually downshifted. When I'm in rush hour traffic I can't leave it in 1st gear and relax otherwise it will speed up to 17mph, unless I hold the brake pedal. This started at 1,600 miles, and I now have 2,100. I made an appointment at the dealer for 10/26/26, but when I arrived they didn't know when or what days they could get to the vehicle. The vehicle when starting out drives okay but once it's up to speed limit it just doesn't slow down on it's own after releasing the gas pedal.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2026Power trainODI 11773796

Electrical system

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2026 Dodge Durango. While driving at an undisclosed speed in a rainstorm, the front window windshield wipers failed to wipe the windshield. The windshield wipers were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the instrument panel failed to display an accurate fuel level. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact that the failure was caused by an inoperable hood latch and electrical wiring that was damaged. The hood latch wiring was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that later, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was bucking and hesitating, and the instrument panel became inoperable. Additionally, after starting the vehicle, there was a whining sound coming from the engine while the transmission was shifting gears. The local dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. While driving uphill, the vehicle stalled with the message "BRAKES" displayed. The vehicle was restarted and later returned to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. After retrieving the vehicle, approximately 500 miles later, while driving on a back road and…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Visibility/wiperODI 11750217

Visibility/wiper

2 reports
“on march 18th 2026 my vehicle was sitting in the driveway and my back windshield exploded. The glass fell outwards and not inwards. There was no cracks or anything on windshield prior to this incident. There was no one around the vehicle at the time and our cameras did not show anyone throwing anything at the vehicle. The side it exploded on was facing the sun.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 19, 2026Visibility/wiperODI 11725491
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 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 · 6.4L 8-cyl · 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic 8-spd
Drive
All-Wheel Drive · Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Midgrade Gasoline · Premium 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 AWD
Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
172420$3,100449
Durango RWD
Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182520$3,100434
Durango AWD
Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
142116$4,450541
Durango AWD
Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.4 L · All-Wheel Drive
131915$5,150584
Durango AWD
Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg · All-Wheel Drive
121713$5,950659
  • Durango AWD
    Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Durango RWD
    Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Durango AWD
    Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    14 city · 21 hwy · $4,450/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Durango AWD
    Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.4 L
    13 city · 19 hwy · $5,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Durango AWD
    Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg
    12 city · 17 hwy · $5,950/yr
    13
    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

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
DODGE DURANGO SUV N/A AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.2%
Overall
4 / 5
DODGE DURANGO SUV N/A RWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 20920Vehicle 20919
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

2026 Durango questions

How many recalls does the 2026 Dodge Durango have?

1 safety recall 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 2026 Dodge Durango problems?

Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (3), electrical system (2), visibility/wiper (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2026 Dodge Durango get?

The EPA rates the 2026 Dodge Durango at 13–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

How safe is the 2026 Dodge Durango?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Dodge Durango 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026