Dodge Durango problems
637 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. No active recalls — patterns come from the complaint record.
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.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
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'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.