2016 Dodge Durango Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Dodge Durango has a complaint index of 58 and ranks 9th worst out of 20 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 161 complaints, 3 recalls, and 23 crashes tied to reported problems, with the Electrical System accounting for half of all complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 58/100
- #9 of 20 Durango years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 161
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 23
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
Top 2016 Dodge Durango problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System81 (50%)
- Transmission & Powertrain30 (19%)
- Other26 (16%)
- Engine25 (16%)
- Structure & Body12 (7%)
- Brakes10 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (5%)
- Airbags6 (4%)
- Fuel System5 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe the transmission failing to hold park, with the vehicle rolling away or lurching forward or backward unexpectedly while stationary.
- Some report the vehicle shifting out of gear on its own or taking off suddenly in reverse while parked or idling.
- Several complaints describe airbags failing to deploy during front-impact crashes, sometimes resulting in serious injury.
- One owner reported a lower control arm breaking while reversing, causing a wheel to come off during a collision.
- Another reported a rear axle snapping at highway speed, causing major vehicle damage.
- One driver said the vehicle failed to stop after braking to disengage cruise control on the highway, leading to a rear-end crash.
2016 Dodge Durango recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V332000May 17, 2018Electrical System4,815,661 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
- NHTSA 16V814000Nov 10, 2016Fuel System30,183 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 10, 2016, to April 28, 2016 and equipped with a 3.6L engine built at the Saltillo engine plant. During the assembly of the engine, the fuel rail crossover tube may have been damaged, which, over time, may result in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly for damage to the fuel rail crossover tube, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S85.
- NHTSA 16V168000Mar 23, 2016Brakes21,183 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured December 9, 2015, to January 14, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the left front brake caliper may crack due to being made from an incorrect material.
Risk: A cracked brake caliper may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front left brake caliper and depending on its casting date, replace it, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on May 12, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S16.
2016 Dodge Durango fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 23.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,725
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2016 compared with other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Dodge Durango reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 Durango a complaint index of 58 and a Caution verdict, ranking 9th worst among 20 Durango model years covered. It is not among the higher-risk years like 2005 or 2014, but it trails newer years such as 2018-2025.
- What is the top problem area for the 2016 Dodge Durango?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, making up 81 of 161 complaints, or 50 percent of the total, with a median failure mileage of 40,000 miles for the vehicle overall.
- Does the 2016 Dodge Durango have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Durango covering the electrical system, fuel system, and brakes, including a brake caliper inspection recall and a fuel rail crossover tube inspection recall. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 Durango compare to other Durango years?
- The 2016 model's complaint index of 58 is lower than Avoid-rated years like 2005 (100), 2014 (95), and 2011 (89), but higher than Good and Best years such as 2019 (37), 2022 (26), and 2023 (16).