Dodge Durango Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Dodge Durango years to avoid are 2005, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, all rated Avoid with complaint index scores of 79-100. The 2023-2025 model years earn a Best verdict with complaint index scores of 0-16 and no reported fires or crashes.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Avoid 2014Best 2023Best 2024Best 2025
- Model years
- 20
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 7,194
- Recall campaigns
- 57
- Crashes reported
- 231
- Fires reported
- 183
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Durango Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Dodge Durango problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 100 | 1,567 | 38 | 21 | 8 ! | Fuel System | 14 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 68 | 852 | 16 | 9 | 9 ! | Fuel System | 14 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 42 | 191 | 12 | 1 | 4 ! | Fuel System | 15 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 21 | 97 | 3 | 2 | 2 ! | Fuel System | 15 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 11 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 4 ! | Airbags | 15.5 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 89 | 799 | 15 | 57 | 8 | Electrical System | 17 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 84 | 640 | 17 | 32 | 10 | Electrical System | 17.5 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 79 | 640 | 20 | 34 | 11 | Electrical System | 17.5 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 95 | 782 | 23 | 9 | 11 | Electrical System | 18 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 74 | 503 | 26 | 4 | 4 | Electrical System | 18 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 58 | 161 | 23 | 1 | 3 | Electrical System | 19 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 53 | 211 | 9 | 2 | 2 | Electrical System | 19 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Good | 47 | 232 | 9 | 0 | 5 | Electrical System | 17 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Good | 37 | 142 | 5 | 2 | 4 | Electrical System | 17 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Good | 32 | 55 | 0 | 3 | 2 | Electrical System | 17 | 4★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 63 | 202 | 10 | 4 | 8 | Electrical System | 17 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Good | 26 | 56 | 2 | 1 | 7 | Electrical System | 17 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Best | 16 | 30 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 17 | 4★ |
| 2024 | Best | 5 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 17 | 4★ |
| 2025 | Best | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 17 | 4★ |
Durango years to avoid: what went wrong
2005 Dodge Durango Index 100 · 1,567 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2005 Durango has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, with 1,567 complaints. Fuel System problems dominate at 48% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 72,000 miles. Owners also reported Engine issues (23%) around 65,008 miles and Electrical System failures (13%) including dashboard and interior fires. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this year, including 2 Do Not Drive airbag recalls tied to the Takata inflator issue. Crash and fire counts are the highest among Avoid years, with 38 crashes, 21 fires, 35 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
2005 fuel system problems →2005 engine problems →2005 transmission & powertrain problems →
2014 Dodge Durango Index 95 · 782 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2014 Durango has a complaint index of 95, the second-highest of any year, with 782 complaints. Electrical System problems lead at 47% of complaints, median 60,000 miles, including remote-start related shifting incidents. Structure & Body complaints follow at 24%, median 68,404 miles. NHTSA recorded 60 injuries for this model year, the most of any Durango year, along with 23 crashes. Eleven recall campaigns apply, including software flashes and alternator replacements.
2014 electrical system problems →2014 structure & body problems →2014 engine problems →
2011 Dodge Durango Index 89 · 799 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2011 Durango carries a complaint index of 89 with 799 complaints, the third-worst year. Electrical System problems lead at 65% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 68,585 miles; owners describe dashboard smoke and wiring fires. Engine complaints follow at 25%, around 69,000 miles. NHTSA recorded 57 fires for this model year, the highest fire count of any Durango year. Eight recall campaigns apply, covering fuel pump relays, brake booster shields, and alternator wiring.
2011 electrical system problems →2011 engine problems →2011 fuel system problems →
2012 Dodge Durango Index 84 · 640 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2012 Durango has a complaint index of 84 and 640 complaints. Electrical System issues account for 55% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 70,000 miles, including reports of the TIPM module failing and causing fires. Engine complaints follow at 26%, median 79,562 miles, and Brakes problems at 13%, median 49,000 miles. NHTSA lists 32 fires and 10 recall campaigns for this year, including the same fuel pump relay and alternator wiring fixes applied to 2011.
2012 electrical system problems →2012 engine problems →2012 fuel system problems →
2013 Dodge Durango Index 79 · 640 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2013 Durango scores a complaint index of 79 with 640 complaints. Electrical System failures make up 46% of complaints at a median 80,000 miles, including headliner fires reported while driving. Engine issues follow at 21% (75,000 miles) and Fuel System at 14% (85,000 miles). Owners also reported brake malfunctions leading to crashes. NHTSA lists 34 fires and 11 recall campaigns, sharing the fuel pump relay and alternator recalls that also apply to 2011 and 2012.
2013 electrical system problems →2013 engine problems →2013 fuel system problems →
Most common Dodge Durango problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System2,715 (38%)
- Fuel System1,860 (26%)
- Engine1,292 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain612 (9%)
- Structure & Body560 (8%)
- Brakes521 (7%)
- Airbags499 (7%)
- Other491 (7%)
- Steering252 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires154 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Dodge Durango should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2005, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 Dodge Durango. These years have complaint index scores between 79 and 100, the highest in the model's history, led by Electrical System and Fuel System problems.
- Which Dodge Durango years are best?
- The 2023, 2024, and 2025 Durango earn a Best verdict, with complaint index scores of 16, 5, and 0 respectively and very few reported complaints (30, 14, and 8).
- Is the 2014 Dodge Durango reliable?
- The 2014 Durango has a complaint index of 95, the second-worst of any Durango year, with 782 complaints. Electrical System problems account for 47% of those complaints, and NHTSA recorded 60 injuries for this model year.
- Does the Dodge Durango have recall issues?
- Across all years, NHTSA lists 57 recall campaigns for the Durango and 7,194 total complaints. Several early years, including 2007, 2008, and 2009, carry Do Not Drive or Park Outside recalls tied to Takata airbag inflators.
- What is the most common Dodge Durango problem?
- Electrical System complaints are the most common issue overall, making up 38% of all 7,194 complaints across model years, followed by Fuel System problems at 26% and Engine issues at 18%.