2012 Dodge Durango problems
The 2012 Dodge Durango has 637 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. No active recalls — the patterns come from the complaint record.
The 2012 Dodge Durango has 637 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 309 complaints, typically surfacing around 78,522 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Durango | 19 | 1 |
| 2011 Durango | 797 | 0 |
| 2012 Durango (this page) | 637 | 0 |
| 2013 Durango | 640 | 2 |
| 2014 Durango | 781 | 0 |
| 2015 Durango | 502 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced.
- 30 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the electrical system
- Brakes: 53 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 20,000–67,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2012 Dodge Durango SUV 4WD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2012 Dodge Durango? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- electrical — 309 owner reports · tends to show around 78,522 mi · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 75 owner reports · tends to show around 78,394 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- brakes — 53 owner reports · tends to show around 50,840 mi · ~$450 to fix
- steering — 41 owner reports · tends to show around 83,045 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 78,522 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2012 Dodge Durango
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2012 Dodge Durango
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~34,597 mibrakes~$450
- ~54,375 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~71,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~74,000 miairbags~$1,100
- ~74,844 miengine~$3,100
- ~80,000 mifuel system~$1,200
- ~88,300 misteering~$700
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
As I was turning left into a community the steering wheel locked up while the vehicle was still in drive. I immediately put the emergency lights on. I put my foot on the brake for safety while the vehicle was still in drive. I lifted my foot from the brake and the car remained…
At about 54k/56k miles the airbag and check engine light began to go on and off. When I got it checked they did not report anything outside of air is system but that was covered in the diagnostic. Then the car would make sudden jumps for no reason, airbag and engine and…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge durango. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign numbers: 14v391000 (electrical system) and 14v154000 (service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic) however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the…
My vehicle began having this issue in 2015. My vehicle has a long crank and sometimes does not turn over. It will also turn over, then sputter out after running for 20-30 seconds. In 2015, I began to have the issue with the vehicle not turning on/not turning over. I had the…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Dodge Durango reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 637 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Dodge Durango is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Dodge Durango?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Dodge Durango is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 30 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the electrical system; Brakes: 53 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 20,000–67,000 mi; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Dodge Durango?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 309 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 78,522 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Dodge Durango a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 637 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 78,522 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Dodge Durango?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 309 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 78,522 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 78,522 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Dodge Durango has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Dodge Durango?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 637 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.