2013 Dodge Durango Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2013 Dodge Durango ranks 5th worst among 20 model years, with a complaint index of 79 and 640 NHTSA complaints. Owners report electrical system failures (46% of complaints), engine problems, and brake issues, backed by 11 recall campaigns and 34 reported fires.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 79/100
- #5 of 20 Durango years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 640
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 11
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 20
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 34
- Injuries
- 22
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15 city / 21.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 22 / 0
Top 2013 Dodge Durango problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System295 (46%)
- Engine133 (21%)
- Fuel System92 (14%)
- Brakes90 (14%)
- Structure & Body85 (13%)
- Other58 (9%)
- Airbags42 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain34 (5%)
- Steering24 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers10 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Headliner and interior wiring catch fire or produce a burning odor while driving at highway speed.
- Brakes reportedly fail to stop the vehicle, leading to crashes into curbs, walls, or fixed objects.
- Side curtain airbags fail to deploy during side-impact crashes, sometimes causing injury.
- Vehicle allegedly shifts or rolls unexpectedly while in park, causing low-speed crashes into vehicles, walls, or garages.
- Sudden unintended acceleration reported while parking or at low speed, leading to collisions with curbs or trees.
- Turn signal and parking-assist warning lights illuminate along with unexpected deceleration at highway speed.
2013 Dodge Durango recalls
11 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.
2013 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
- Midgrade
- 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.
2013 compared with other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Dodge Durango reliable?
- Compared to other Durango model years, 2013 ranks 5th worst out of 20 years tracked, with a complaint index of 79 and an Avoid verdict. Electrical system problems make up 46% of its complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Dodge Durango?
- Electrical system issues dominate, accounting for 295 of 640 total complaints (46%), including 29 reported fires and a median failure mileage of 80,000.
- Does the 2013 Dodge Durango have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2013 Durango, most involving the electrical system, including fuel pump relay wiring and alternator issues, plus two brake booster recalls.
- How does the 2013 Durango compare to the 2014 model?
- The 2014 Durango has a higher complaint index (95 vs 79) and slightly more complaints (782 vs 640), though both carry an Avoid verdict among Durango model years.
- What year Dodge Durango should I avoid?
- Based on complaint index, 2005 (100), 2014 (95), and 2011 (89) rank worse than 2013 (79), all carrying Avoid verdicts; 2013 still ranks among the worse years overall.