YearToAvoid

2016 Dodge Durango Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

50/100

#8 most-complained of 15 Durango years

The 2016 Dodge Durango has 161 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 50, and ranks 8th worst of 15 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Electrical System issues make up 50% of complaints, and 3 recalls were issued.

Complaints
161
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
23 / 1
Injuries / deaths
13 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
19
16 city / 23.5 hwy

Top 2016 Dodge Durango problems

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

  1. Electrical System81 (50%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain30 (19%)
  3. Other26 (16%)
  4. Engine25 (16%)
  5. Structure & Body12 (7%)
  6. Brakes10 (6%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (5%)
  8. Airbags6 (4%)
  9. Fuel System5 (3%)
  10. Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the vehicle unexpectedly rolling or shifting out of park on its own, sometimes with the engine running and no one inside.
  • Some describe the transmission causing sudden unintended reverse movement, including one incident where the vehicle dragged its owner while pumping gas.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during front-impact or rollover crashes, in some cases despite significant vehicle damage.
  • A few owners report the vehicle not stopping normally after cruise control was engaged and brakes were applied, leading to a rear-end collision.
  • Suspension complaints describe a lower control arm or rear axle breaking while driving, causing the wheel to detach or the vehicle to lose control.
2016 Dodge Durango complaints: complaints filed per quarter152016 Q12017 Q32018 Q42020 Q12021 Q22022 Q32023 Q42025 Q1
210 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q1 (15).

2016 Dodge Durango recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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

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
2014Avoid1007821118
2015Caution71503418
2016Caution50161319
2017Good43211219
2018Caution57232517

All Dodge Durango years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Dodge Durango reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Durango has a complaint index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst among 15 model years of the Durango.
What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Dodge Durango?
Electrical System complaints are the largest category, accounting for 50% of all 161 complaints, 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 front left brake caliper issue and a fuel rail crossover tube inspection.
How does the 2016 Durango compare to other model years?
The 2016 Durango's complaint index of 50 is better than 2011-2015 years, which range from 71 to 100, but worse than 2017 and later years, several of which are rated Good or Best.
Were there any crashes reported for the 2016 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA lists 23 crashes and 13 injuries tied to 2016 Durango complaints, with no reported deaths and 1 fire.

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.