2017 Dodge Durango Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 Dodge Durango has a complaint index of 53, ranking 10th worst out of 20 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Electrical System complaints dominate at 58% of the total 211 complaints, with 2 recalls including a rear axle halfshaft issue.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 53/100
- #10 of 20 Durango years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 211
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 9
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 0
Top 2017 Dodge Durango problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System123 (58%)
- Engine36 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain23 (11%)
- Other20 (9%)
- Structure & Body20 (9%)
- Fuel System16 (8%)
- Brakes11 (5%)
- Steering11 (5%)
- Airbags7 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle rolling or lunging on its own after being placed in park, sometimes with the rotary gear selector, leading to crashes into garages or objects.
- Some drivers say the SUV lunged forward or shot into reverse unexpectedly when the automatic stop/start feature was active, causing collisions.
- Electrical failures have included flames appearing from the rear quarter panel hours after parking, with the fire department extinguishing the blaze.
- Several owners describe airbags failing to deploy during moderate-speed crashes, including a front-end collision at 30 mph and a curb impact near 60 mph.
- Dashboard and speedometer glitching along with warning lights has been reported around 55,000 miles, with dealers unable to clear the codes.
- Engine complaints include oil leaking from the rear main seal and oil pan, along with grey smoke and overheating while driving at highway speed.
2017 Dodge Durango recalls
2 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 17V541000Aug 31, 2017Transmission & Powertrain4 vehicles
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Durango vehicles. The vehicles may have been assembled with rear axle halfshafts that are too short.
Risk: If a halfshaft is too short, it may disengage from the differential causing a loss of drive and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace both halfshafts, free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T55.
2017 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
- 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.
2017 compared with other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Dodge Durango reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2017 Durango a complaint index of 53 and a Caution verdict, ranking 10th worst among 20 model years. Electrical System issues make up 58% of its 211 complaints.
- What problems does the 2017 Dodge Durango have?
- The top problem area is the Electrical System, with 123 complaints, followed by Engine issues (36 complaints) and Transmission & Powertrain issues (23 complaints).
- Does the 2017 Dodge Durango have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2017 Durango: one for an electrical/software flash issue and one for rear axle halfshafts that may have been assembled too short.
- How does the 2017 Durango compare to other model years?
- The 2017 model's complaint index of 53 is better than years like 2005 (100) and 2014 (95), which carry Avoid verdicts, but worse than newer years such as 2018 and 2023, which rate Good or Best.
- What is the median mileage for complaints on the 2017 Durango?
- Across all reported problems, the median mileage at failure was 34,104 miles, with Electrical System complaints specifically showing a median of 41,500 miles.