Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge durango .the fuel tank filler tube inlet check valve does not fully close at the end of refueling. This allows fuel to escape from the vehicle filler neck. A technician from the dealer stated that his model year was excluded from recall campaign id number: 05v034000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap); therefore, he was not…
2006 Dodge Durango fuel system problems
moderate 400 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
400
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 400 fuel system complaints filed for the 2006 Dodge Durango, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
How fast does it fail?
Cumulative share of the 10 mileage-bearing fuel system complaints filed against the 2006 Dodge Durango by each odometer reading. Median failure: 54,000 mi.
10% have failed by35,000 mi
Half the fleet by54,000 mi
90% have failed by91,000 mi
Curve based on owner-reported odometer mileage at the time of complaint. Reflects when owners filed, not when symptoms first appeared. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve.
What stands out
Fuel system accounts for 47% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 400 fuel system complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A 2006 Durango has a widespread fuel tank check-valve defect that causes gasoline to spray out during fueling, exposing owners to fire risk and fuel exposure. Dodge refused to recall the 2006+ models despite 300+ documented complaints and an identical 2005 recall; repairs cost $350–$1,200+ out of pocket unless negotiated case-by-case with the manufacturer.
The dominant complaint across these 50 narratives is fuel tank overfill: when the pump nozzle clicks off to signal a full tank, gasoline sprays or gushes back out of the filler neck onto the ground, vehicle, and person fueling. Owners report this happens at multiple gas stations, with hand-held and automatic pump catches, ruling out pump malfunction. The problem worsens over time—starting as minor spillage and escalating to violent spraying of a half gallon or more per fill. One owner documented over 60 incidents; another clocked 90% of fill-ups affected.
Owners identify the root cause as a stuck or failed fuel tank inlet check valve; dealers confirm the entire fuel tank assembly must be replaced. Repair costs range from $350 to $1,200, pushing many owners to negotiate with Chrysler or accept partial reimbursement. One owner received lifetime warranty coverage after an "extended warranty" was extended by the manufacturer.
The real frustration: a recall existed for 2005 Durangos (NHTSA campaign 05V034000 / 09V003000) for the exact same defect, but Chrysler refused to extend it to 2006+ models despite widespread online documentation of identical failures. Owners cite fuel spills as serious fire hazards and note respiratory/skin exposure risks. One narrative (#2) also documents unrelated electrical cascades (loss of power while driving, wiring faults, starter failure) at low mileage, though this appears isolated.
Same Dodge Durango fuel system reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Fuel tank overfill/spit-back at fill nozzle
Fuel tank check valve fails or sticks open, causing gasoline to spray or gush back out of the filler neck when the pump nozzle shuts off during fueling. Owners report the pump clicks off to signal a full tank, but 1-2 seconds later fuel erupts from the tank onto the vehicle, ground, and person fueling. Volumes range from a few ounces to roughly a half gallon or more per incident.
When: Typically occurs after vehicle reaches 37,000–96,000+ miles; problem develops over time and worsens with age. Several owners report onset between 2–5 years of ownership; one reports onset from the time vehicle was new.
Symptoms owners cite: Pump nozzle clicks off when tank is full, but fuel gushes or sprays out immediately afterward; Gas spills onto ground, vehicle exterior, and onto person fueling; Strong gasoline odor inside and outside vehicle; Spill volume increases over time; some owners report progression from minor spillage to severe gushing; Problem occurs at multiple gas stations, ruling out pump fault; Happens whether using automatic pump catch or manual holding of nozzle; Fuel may spit out before tank is actually full (some report pump clicking off after only 1 gallon has been added)
Codes mentioned: Check engine light may illuminate (reported in at least one case), No specific OBD codes cited in narratives
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers diagnose faulty fuel tank check valve (inlet check valve) or defective fuel tank assembly. Repair requires replacement of entire fuel tank assembly, not just the valve alone. Estimates range from $350–$1,200+; one owner paid $100 deductible after Dodge authorized repair; another paid $600 out of pocket; another eventually received lifetime warranty coverage for the filler neck after an extended warranty was extended by manufacturer. One owner reports $950 repair cost with Chrysler agreeing to pay half (reimbursement status uncertain). Paint and body damage (rust, discoloration, bubbling) reported due to repeated gasoline spillage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge initially denied awareness of the problem or refused to issue recalls for 2006 models, citing insufficient complaints (though owners documented 300+ complaints online at time of filings). 2005 Durango had recall 05V034000 (also cited as 09V003000) for identical fuel system defect, but 2006+ models were excluded. Some dealers denied problem existed or claimed it was operator error. Eventually, Chrysler offered case-by-case cost-sharing (owner pays portion, manufacturer reimburses remainder if recall issued), and later extended an 'extended lifetime warranty' on affected fuel parts. One owner reports TSB 10128990 as a service bulletin addressing the issue. Manufacturers response described by owners as evasive, dismissive, or conditional on owner meeting various criteria.
Fuel system electrical and component failures (secondary)
One narrative (#2) describes a cascade of electrical and fuel-system failures: computer issues initially misdiagnosed, wiring faults, fuel pump replacement, and starter motor failure. While not the dominant complaint, this narrative raises concern about broader fuel and electrical system reliability.
When: Started at approximately 37,000 miles; multiple failures over a 6-month period
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power while driving at 35 mph; Intermittent radio and electrical display (clock) power loss; Check engine light illumination (multiple times); Electrical sputtering (lights, instrument panel, wipers, radio malfunction); Vehicle would not start (starter motor failure suspected)
Codes mentioned: Computer 'fried' (per local mechanic); dealership attributed to cam shaft issue instead
Repairs/costs cited: Cam shaft replacement ($450 + tow); fuel pump replacement; starter motor replacement; battery terminal and cable replacement. Vehicle still not fully repaired (audio/display issue unresolved).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Initial Dodge dealership said computer was not the issue, focused on cam shaft and instrument panel recall instead. Second dealership found wiring problem with engine but could not identify audio/display fault. Repair largely customer-paid; owner expressed lack of confidence in vehicle safety for highway driving.
Synthesized from 400 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 10 most recent
The fuel tank on my Dodge durango spews gas out onto the vehicle and pavement at the end of filling up the gas tank. This began occurring about 3 months ago and happens every time I fill up. This is an extremely dangerous situation. The gas could ignite, plus it is an environmental hazard. My local Dodge dealership (roger williams Dodge) is refusing to pay for the repair. After researching…
I have a 5.7 hemi and the problem just started with fuel splashing out after a fill up, pump clicks off, remove the fuel nozzle and out of the vehicle fuel fill gas shoots out and all over. Maybe a pint or quart of gas, hard to measure when it's all over you, the ground and car..... I also called my Dodge dealer and my VIN was not part of the recall. *kb
2006 Dodge durango overflows fuel when filling to full status. I currently stop filling vehicle to avoid the spill of fuel and not getting all over my clothing. This happens on every occurrence when filling vehicle. *tr
When I fill up my gas tank, the gas does not shut off, but overflows spewing gasoline out all over the place. The last two times I filled up, there was just a small amount which overflowed. Today I was doused with gasoline from my waist to my ankles. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge durango. The contact stated that while refueling the vehicle, fuel spilled to the ground abnormally. The dealer was contacted and advised the contact that the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 47,000 and the current mileage was 62,000. Updated 01/24/12*lj
My 2006 Dodge durango slt over fills every time it is filled up. Gas will shoot out 12-15 inches in all directions sometimes. This started happening at around 60 thousand miles. *tr
There is a known issue of fuel overflow with 2nd generation Dodge durango that Dodge refuses to issue a safety recall to fix. At the conclusion of refueling approximately 0.25 gal will gurgle to forcefully eject itself from the fuel filler neck of the durango. Spilling fuel every fill up is a personal safety and environmental pollution concern which needs to be addressed.…
Around august 10, 2011, as I was getting fuel it sprayed fuel everywhere after the nozzle had stopped. I have even tried to slow the rate of fuel and that does not matter. Every time I fill up the tank, it sprays everywhere. I tried different gas stations and still no luck. This poses a safety hazard as all of the fuel spilled on the vehicle, the ground, and on my clothes. *tr
For the last 3 months, every time I fill up my gas tank, when I remove the nozzle from the tank gasoline overflows on the side of my vehicle and the ground. At first, I thought it must be a problem with the pump at the gas station, but I reported it to my dealer during my last oil change, and he said my gank tank needed to be replaced. *tr
Had fuel system trouble with your 2006 Dodge Durango?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the fuel system problem on the 2006 Dodge Durango?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 400 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,200 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Across the 362 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 41,200 and 75,000 miles, with the median around 57,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 41,200; a quarter make it past 75,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Dodge/Durango.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.