The vehicle loses power, engin shuts off while driving for no explainable reason
2011 Dodge Durango engine problems
moderate 72 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
72
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
3fires
When does it fail?
Of the 72 engine complaints filed for the 2011 Dodge Durango, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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.
What stands out
Owners have filed 72 engine 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.
Among the 16 model years of Dodge Durango in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2011 Dodge Durango has widespread engine control issues causing dangerous stalling without warning, coupled with alternator fires and HEMI camshaft failure—most owners faced parts shortages, dealer diagnostic failures, and delayed recalls that left them stranded for weeks or months. Budget for potential TIPM replacement, alternator inspection, and HEMI lifter work, and verify which engine size and alternator your specific vehicle has to determine recall eligibility.
The 2011 Dodge Durango engine complaints center on three dominant issues: stalling and no-start conditions tied to electrical control modules, alternator failures with fire risk, and internal engine damage in the 5.7L HEMI.
Stalling and starting failures dominate the narratives. Owners report the engine dying without warning during highway driving or turning, often with complete loss of power steering and brakes—a dangerous situation. Multiple owners cite the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), fuel pump relay, and ignition wiring harness as culprits. Dealers repeatedly tell customers no diagnostic codes appear, making diagnosis difficult. Owners mention recalls (P54/NHTSA 14V-530, NHTSA 14V-634000) but report nationwide parts shortages lasting months, leaving vehicles inoperable and dealerships unable to provide rental cars or timelines.
Alternator failures result in smoking, fires, and complete electrical shutdown. Owners describe battery warning lights appearing, then steering and brakes locking up, or flames erupting from the alternator while parked or at highway speeds. One owner's 180-amp alternator failed and fried the PCM, costing $2,000 to repair. The 160-amp alternator has a separate recall, but 180-amp models affected by the same problem reportedly are not included.
5.7L HEMI camshaft and lifter failure occurs at varying mileages. Owners report tapping noises, misfiring, cylinder 3 or 6 misfire codes, and dealer diagnostics showing seized or flattened camshaft lobes with damaged lifters. Repairs run $2,000–$4,800. Owners note this is common in HEMI engines but question why there is no recall.
Same Dodge Durango engine reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling and no-start (TIPM/fuel relay related)
Vehicle loses power and stalls without warning while driving at various speeds, or fails to start after multiple crank attempts. No warning lights appear, and diagnostic codes do not show, making dealer diagnosis difficult. Owners report loss of power steering and brakes during stall events, creating crash risk.
When: Throughout ownership; failures at 17,000–128,000 miles reported; can occur on cold starts or while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cranks but does not start; requires multiple start attempts; Engine stalls without warning while turning or on highway; Complete loss of electrical power and brakes during stall; No diagnostic codes displayed despite repeated failures; Vehicle may restart after sitting briefly
Repairs/costs cited: TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) replacement cited by owners; fuel pump relay replacement under recall; ignition wiring harness replacement mentioned in some cases; repairs not yet completed due to parts backorder
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall P54/NHTSA 14V-530 (fuel pump relay), NHTSA 14V-634000 (electrical system), ignition wiring harness under investigation per owner reports; parts on nationwide backorder for months; some owners denied rental cars while waiting
Alternator failure with fire/smoke
Alternator overheats, smokes, and catches fire while driving or parked. Battery warning light appears first. Vehicle may lose all electrical power, causing steering and brake failure at highway speeds. Some alternators are 180-amp units not covered by the 160-amp recall.
When: 47,000–106,000+ miles; can occur while driving highway speeds or while parked in driveway
Symptoms owners cite: Battery/charging system warning light illuminates; Smoke from engine compartment; Fire visible from alternator; Complete electrical shutdown; steering and brakes lock; Dashboard lights flash; all systems fail
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator and battery replacement required; one owner cited $2,000 cost for alternator and PCM replacement (alternator failure fried PCM); fire extinguisher needed in two cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 160-amp alternator has a recall; 180-amp alternators with same symptoms reportedly excluded from recall per owner report
5.7L HEMI camshaft and lifter failure (seized/flattened)
Camshaft lobe flattens or becomes damaged; roller lifter on one or more cylinders seizes or fails. Results in cylinder misfire, tapping noise from engine, and loss of power. Repair requires camshaft and lifter replacement.
When: 105,000–130,000+ miles; one owner experienced recurrence after warranty repair at 130k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Tapping or knocking noise from right driver side of engine; Cylinder misfire (P306 misfire code for cylinder 6 reported); Check engine light illuminates; Engine hesitation or loss of acceleration; Noise louder at idle; Issue exacerbated by excessive highway idling
Codes mentioned: P306 (cylinder 6 misfire), P303 (implied from narrative reference to cylinder 3)
Repairs/costs cited: Camshaft and lifter replacement; $1,000–$4,800 quoted; one owner paid $3,000 under warranty; replacement of spark plugs and coils attempted but did not resolve misfire in some cases; repair can recur after warranty expires
Engine overheating and coolant system failure
Engine overheats after short idle periods or while driving. Symptoms include rising temperature gauge, antifreeze odor, and smoking from engine compartment. Causes include thermostat failure, head gasket failure, and water pump gasket/bearing failure.
When: 89,600–260,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Temperature gauge rising rapidly; Antifreeze odor; Smoke from engine compartment; Coolant reservoir extremely hot; Engine overheats after 10 minutes of idling
Repairs/costs cited: Water pump, thermostat, upper/lower coolant hoses, and in one case head gasket replacement required; costs $650–multiple hundred dollars
Fuel pump and fuel system issues
Fuel pump fails or fuel system malfunctions, causing starting problems and loss of power while driving. Owner narratives mention failed fuel pumps and fuel relay recalls, with part shortages delaying repairs.
When: Various mileages; failures reported after recall parts installed in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to start; Loss of power while driving; Intermittent starting difficulty
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump replacement attempted; fuel relay replacement under recall; parts on backorder for extended periods
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall P54/NHTSA 14V-530 for fuel pump relay; parts backorder common
Ignition switch/push-button start failure
Push-to-start button fails to engage or sticks, requiring numerous attempts to start vehicle. Ignition node module may move unintentionally from ON to Accessory position while driving, causing unintended engine shutdown.
When: 40,000 miles and below reported; can occur early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Push-to-start button requires repeated attempts to engage; Button fails to respond on first or multiple attempts; Engine shuts off unintentionally while driving due to ignition module drift
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump replaced (did not fix problem); TIPM replacement mentioned; ignition node module reprogramming quoted at $125–$800; key replacement required in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Known issue per Technical Service Bulletin cited by owner; no nationwide recall issued per owner claims; some owners told recall not yet available
Transmission and drivetrain issues (secondary to engine failures)
Transmission slips or fails to change gears properly in some cases; appears to occur alongside stalling and electrical issues. One owner reported transmission problems after extended engine stalling complaints.
When: Later in ownership after repeated engine-related issues
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission not changing gears properly; Delayed gear engagement
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repair mentioned
Unintended acceleration
Vehicle suddenly accelerates while traveling at constant speed, lurches forward, then backs off, then accelerates again repeatedly. Occurs on snow/ice and in traffic, creating crash risk.
When: One narrative reports February 2018
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden acceleration while traveling at constant 15–45 mph; Lurching forward multiple times within minutes; No warning or control by driver; Brakes required to counter acceleration
Synthesized from 72 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2011 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 engine problem on the 2011 Dodge Durango?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 72 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 55 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 45,000 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 65,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 120,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2011/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.