YearToAvoid

2011 Dodge Durango Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 197 engine complaints for the 2011 Dodge Durango, 25% of that year's 799 total complaints and the highest count of any model year. Owners report engine compartment fires, stalling, and alternator failures, with a median failure mileage of 69,000 miles. No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this component.

Engine complaints
197
25% of 799
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
13
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
69,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine compartment fires reported while driving or parked, sometimes starting near the alternator and spreading to flames.
  • Vehicle stalls or shuts down without warning at highway speed, with dashboard warning lights flashing before the shutdown.
  • Oil leaks from the timing chain into the alternator, tied to reports of oil warning lights and later electrical smoke.
  • Smoke enters the cabin from the engine compartment during stop-and-go driving, with no warning lights present beforehand.
  • Difficulty restarting after the battery warning light illuminates and smoke is seen coming from under the hood.

When 2011 Dodge Durango engine complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 6, 2012, latest Jun 19, 2026.

2011 Dodge Durango engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter242012 Q42014 Q32016 Q12017 Q32019 Q12020 Q32022 Q22023 Q4
197 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q4 to 2026 Q2; peak 2014 Q4 (24).

Engine recalls for the 2011 Dodge Durango

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Durango model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2011197 (25%)
  2. 2012164 (26%)
  3. 2013133 (21%)
  4. 201482 (10%)
  5. 201557 (11%)
  6. 201625 (16%)
  7. 201736 (17%)
  8. 201834 (15%)
  9. 201931 (22%)
  10. 202010 (18%)
  11. 202126 (13%)
  12. 202210 (18%)
  13. 20236 (20%)
  14. 20244 (29%)
  15. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2011 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA shows 197 engine complaints for the 2011 Durango, which is 25% of the 799 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2011 Dodge Durango engine?
NHTSA data provided here lists no related recall tied to this engine complaint category.
At what mileage do 2011 Durango engine problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this issue is 69,000 miles.
Are engine fires a concern on the 2011 Durango?
Yes, NHTSA complaints in this category include 13 fires reported, several described as originating in the engine compartment or at the alternator.
How does the 2011 Durango compare to other years for engine complaints?
The 2011 model year has 197 engine complaints, more than any other year listed, including 164 for 2012 and 133 for 2013.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.