Which Dodge Durango years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 as the Durango years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 93, 79, 86 and 100 and the Electrical System as the top-reported problem area in each.

Which Kia Sportage years should I avoid?

According to NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2012, 2013, 2017 and 2023 are the Sportage years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 87, 80, 93 and 100, mostly tied to Engine complaints.

Which model has more recalls, Durango or Sportage?

The Durango has 40 total recall campaigns across 15 model years, more than the Sportage's 20 recall campaigns across 16 model years.

Which SUV gets better fuel economy?

The Kia Sportage averages 23.5 mpg combined versus 17.5 mpg combined for the Dodge Durango, per EPA figures.

Is it fair to say one model is more reliable overall?

NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so total complaint counts (4,475 for Durango vs 2,575 for Sportage) are not normalized per vehicle sold and can't declare an overall winner.

Dodge Durango vs Kia Sportage: Which Years to Avoid

Dodge Durango's worst years are 2011-2014 (complaint index up to 100), while Kia Sportage's worst are 2012, 2013, 2017 and 2023 (index up to 100). Durango logs 4,475 total complaints and 40 recalls across 15 model years versus Sportage's 2,575 complaints and 20 recalls across 16 years; totals aren't sales-normalized. Sportage also averages 23.5 combined MPG versus Durango's 17.5.

Head to head

Dodge Durango

Model years: 2011–2025 (15)
NHTSA complaints: 4,475
Per model year: 298
Recall campaigns: 40
Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Best years: 2020, 2023, 2024, 2025
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 17.5
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.0 ★

Kia Sportage

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 2,575
Per model year: 161
Recall campaigns: 20
Years to avoid: 2012, 2013, 2017, 2023
Best years: 2010, 2014, 2019, 2022
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 23.5
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Durango				Sportage
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	—	—	—	—	Best	20	2	21
2011	Avoid	799	8	17	Good	181	6	23
2012	Avoid	640	10	17.5	Avoid	392	5	23
2013	Avoid	640	11	17.5	Avoid	381	3	23
2014	Avoid	782	11	18	Best	122	3	22.5
2015	Caution	503	4	18	Good	146	2	22
2016	Caution	161	3	19	Good	131	2	22
2017	Good	211	2	19	Avoid	399	4	23
2018	Caution	232	5	17	Caution	164	3	23
2019	Good	142	4	17	Best	70	2	23
2020	Best	55	2	17	Caution	160	2	23
2021	Caution	202	8	17	Good	51	2	23
2022	Good	56	7	17	Best	46	1	23
2023	Best	30	2	17	Avoid	190	6	28
2024	Best	14	0	17	Caution	71	3	27
2025	Best	8	0	17	Caution	51	1	27

Complaint Index by year

Dodge Durango

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Kia Sportage

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which Dodge Durango years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 as the Durango years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 93, 79, 86 and 100 and the Electrical System as the top-reported problem area in each.
Which Kia Sportage years should I avoid?: According to NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2012, 2013, 2017 and 2023 are the Sportage years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 87, 80, 93 and 100, mostly tied to Engine complaints.
Which model has more recalls, Durango or Sportage?: The Durango has 40 total recall campaigns across 15 model years, more than the Sportage's 20 recall campaigns across 16 model years.
Which SUV gets better fuel economy?: The Kia Sportage averages 23.5 mpg combined versus 17.5 mpg combined for the Dodge Durango, per EPA figures.
Is it fair to say one model is more reliable overall?: NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so total complaint counts (4,475 for Durango vs 2,575 for Sportage) are not normalized per vehicle sold and can't declare an overall winner.