2011 Dodge Durango Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
93/100
#2 most-complained of 15 Durango years
The 2011 Dodge Durango has 799 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 93, the second-worst year of the 15 model years tracked. Electrical System problems dominate at 65% of complaints, with 51 fire reports, driving its 'Avoid' verdict.
- Complaints
- 799
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes / fires
- 15 / 57
- Injuries / deaths
- 11 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 21 hwy
Top 2011 Dodge Durango problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System518 (65%)
- Engine197 (25%)
- Fuel System135 (17%)
- Brakes104 (13%)
- Other52 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain51 (6%)
- Steering27 (3%)
- Airbags21 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (2%)
- Structure & Body10 (1%)
What owners report
- Vehicles reportedly stall or lose power while driving, including one case where the engine sputtered and shut off while pulling into a busy intersection.
- Owners describe electrical smoke, glowing wires, or under-hood fires starting near the fender or engine compartment, sometimes after difficulty starting the vehicle.
- The TIPM (totally integrated power module) reportedly shorted out in some vehicles, causing smoking and failure to restart.
- Some owners report the battery warning light illuminating along with visible smoke, tied to NHTSA campaign 14V634000 for the alternator.
- One owner reported engine oil leaking from the timing chain into the alternator, followed later by a battery warning light and abnormal shaking at low speed.
- A driver reported hitting a tree at low mileage with no airbag deployment despite a head-on collision at 35-45 mph.
2011 Dodge Durango recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V813000Nov 14, 2019Electrical System528,594 vehicles
Electrical system
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 3.6, 5.7, or 6.4 liter engine and previously recalled under NHTSA Recall 14V530 or 15V115. The fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) will replace the affected fuel pump relay and related wire harness. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed beginning December 19, 2019. Vehicles that experience a fuel pump failure will receive an interim repair. Owners will receive a second notice when the final remedy becomes available. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V62.
- NHTSA 17V572000Sep 18, 2017Brakes646,394 vehicles
Service brakes
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles had brake booster shields installed under a previous campaign to prevent water from entering the brake booster and limiting braking ability. This recall is to verify that the brake booster shield installation was performed properly.
Risk: If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster shield, correcting the installation as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November10, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T59.
- NHTSA 17V435000Jul 10, 2017Electrical System442,214 vehicles
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.
2011 Dodge Durango fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 21 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,825
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Dodge Durango reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2011 Durango ranks 2nd worst out of 15 model years, with a complaint index of 93 and 799 complaints, mostly tied to the Electrical System. It carries an 'Avoid' verdict relative to other Durango years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Dodge Durango?
- Electrical System issues make up 65% of complaints (518 of 799), followed by Engine problems at 25% and Fuel System issues at 17%. Median mileage at failure for electrical complaints is 68,585 miles.
- Does the 2011 Dodge Durango have a fire risk?
- NHTSA lists 57 fire reports for the 2011 Durango, with 51 tied to the Electrical System component alone.
- How many recalls does the 2011 Dodge Durango have?
- NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2011 Durango, including multiple Electrical System campaigns for alternator wiring, fuel pump relays, and sun visor wiring, plus 2 Brakes-related recalls.
- How does the 2011 Durango compare to other years?
- The 2011 Durango's complaint index of 93 is worse than most other years; only 2014 (100) scores higher. Years like 2020, 2023, and 2024 score far lower and carry 'Best' verdicts.