YearToAvoid

2013 Dodge Durango Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

86/100

#3 most-complained of 15 Durango years

The 2013 Dodge Durango has 640 NHTSA complaints, 11 recalls, and a Complaint Index of 86, ranking 3rd worst of 15 model years. Electrical System problems dominate at 46% of complaints, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other Durango years.

Complaints
640
Recalls
11
Crashes / fires
20 / 34
Injuries / deaths
22 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
17.5
15 city / 21.5 hwy

Top 2013 Dodge Durango problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System295 (46%)
  2. Engine133 (21%)
  3. Fuel System92 (14%)
  4. Brakes90 (14%)
  5. Structure & Body85 (13%)
  6. Other58 (9%)
  7. Airbags42 (7%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain34 (5%)
  9. Steering24 (4%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers10 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report headliner and dashboard wiring catching fire or producing a burning odor while driving on the highway.
  • Some describe the brakes failing to slow the vehicle, resulting in low-speed collisions with curbs or walls.
  • Multiple owners say side curtain airbags failed to deploy during side-impact crashes.
  • Several report the vehicle moving unexpectedly on its own while idling in park or after removing a foot from the accelerator, leading to a crash.
  • Turn signal and parking-assist warning lights have illuminated along with unexpected deceleration while driving at moderate speed.
2013 Dodge Durango complaints: complaints filed per quarter422013 Q12014 Q42016 Q32018 Q22020 Q12021 Q42023 Q32025 Q2
877 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q1 to 2026 Q2; peak 2019 Q4 (42).

2013 Dodge Durango recalls

11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 11 recalls for the 2013 Dodge Durango →

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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Avoid93799817
2012Avoid796401017.5
2013Avoid866401117.5
2014Avoid1007821118
2015Caution71503418

All Dodge Durango years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Dodge Durango reliable?
Compared to other Durango model years, the 2013 ranks poorly. NHTSA data shows a Complaint Index of 86 and 640 complaints, placing it 3rd worst among 15 model years, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Dodge Durango?
Electrical System issues are the largest category, accounting for 295 complaints, or 46% of all reports, and including 29 fire incidents.
Does the 2013 Dodge Durango have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2013 Durango, most involving the electrical system, including fuel pump relay wiring, alternator wiring, and sun visor wiring issues.
At what mileage do 2013 Durango problems usually appear?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 77,000 miles overall, with electrical system failures reported around a median of 80,000 miles and brake failures around 49,555 miles.
How does the 2013 Durango compare to other years?
The 2013 Durango's Complaint Index of 86 is worse than the 2014 (100), 2012 (79), and every year from 2015 onward, which range from 71 down to 0, making later Durango years progressively better based on NHTSA data.

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.