2012 Dodge Durango Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Dodge Durango has a complaint index of 84, ranking 4th worst of 20 model years, and carries a Avoid verdict. It logged 640 complaints, 10 recalls, and 32 fire reports, mostly tied to the Electrical System.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 84/100
- #4 of 20 Durango years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 640
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 17
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 32
- Injuries
- 16
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15 city / 21.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 16 / 0
Top 2012 Dodge Durango problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System353 (55%)
- Engine164 (26%)
- Fuel System99 (15%)
- Brakes84 (13%)
- Steering42 (7%)
- Other40 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain37 (6%)
- Airbags28 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (2%)
- Structure & Body10 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes fail to engage or require extra pressure to stop, sometimes leading to low-speed crashes into objects or other vehicles.
- Sun visor wiring overheats and smokes, in some cases igniting a visor fire that owners had to extinguish or evacuate for.
- The TIPM (totally integrated power module) fails, causing stalling, no-start conditions, or engine fires.
- Airbags fail to deploy in frontal or head-on crashes, including one reported at approximately 60 mph.
- Vehicles have unintended acceleration or braking response issues, with drivers reporting the vehicle moved on its own while braking was applied.
- Brake booster shields allow water intrusion, contributing to brake failure even after a prior recall repair.
2012 Dodge Durango recalls
10 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.
2012 Dodge Durango fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 21.5 MPG
- Combined
- 17.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,000
- 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.
2012 compared with other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Dodge Durango reliable?
- NHTSA data ranks it 4th worst out of 20 Durango model years, with a complaint index of 84 and a Avoid verdict relative to other Durango years.
- What are the main problems with the 2012 Dodge Durango?
- The Electrical System accounts for 55% of complaints (353 complaints, 30 fires), followed by Engine at 26% and Fuel System at 15%. Median mileage at Electrical System failure was 70,000 miles.
- Does the 2012 Dodge Durango have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2012 Durango, covering the fuel pump relay, brake booster shields, alternator wiring, sun visor wiring, and the TIPM fuel pump relay, among others. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Did the 2012 Dodge Durango have fires?
- NHTSA complaints report 32 fire incidents for the 2012 Durango, with the Electrical System involved in 30 of them, including sun visor and TIPM related fires.
- How does the 2012 Durango compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 84 is close to 2011 (89) and 2014 (95), both also rated Avoid, while later years like 2018-2025 score much lower and carry Good or Best verdicts.