Possible Driveability Issues due to the Winter-Blend Fuel into the Warmer Season
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Dodge Durango fuel system problems
moderate Owners of the 2012 Dodge Durango have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the fuel system, typically surfacing around 80,000 miles at roughly $1,200 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See fuel system across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
| Model year | fuel system complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Durango | 19 |
| 2009 Durango | 3 |
| 2011 Durango | 16 |
| 2012 Durango (this page) | 10 |
| 2013 Durango | 6 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Oil Pump Assembly If error code P06DD present on any Pentastar V6 application, please inspect oil pump for relief valve failure. See photo attached. If valve is found out of place please call Bob Jackson (248) 944-0466 bob.jackson@fcagroup.com, or Joe Lovell (734) 309-6467 joe.lovell@fcagroup.com before proceeding. If unable to reach after 15 minutes record the following information and proceed with oil pump replacement and hold part for return to FCA via Fastrack system
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗MIL Illumination: P0300, P0302, P0304 or P0306 (X56 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves checking for excessive cylinder leakage and replacing the cylinder head if necessary. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the Technician may find that any the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes have been set: P0300- Multiple Cylinder Misfire P0302- Cylinder 2 Misfire P0304- Cylinder 4 Misfire P0306- Cylinder 6 Misfire
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FLASH: MIL Illumination For P0730 And Transmission Shift Enhancements This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Transmission Control Module (TCM) with new software. A small number of customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation, the technician may find that Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0730 Incorrect Gear Ratio is setting erroneously. In addition to correcting the DTC, the following Transmission Control Module (TCM) calibration improvements are now available. These updates are broken down by vehicle line and engine category.WK, WD, JK and LC Vehicles equipped with a 3.6L engine (Sales Code ERB) Hanging in gear d
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗MIL Illumination: P0300, P0302, P0304 or P0306 (X56 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves checking for excessive cylinder leakage and replacing the cylinder head if necessary. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the Technician may find that any the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes have been set: ? P0300- Multiple Cylinder Misfire ? P0302- Cylinder 2 Misfire ? P0304- Cylinder 4 Misfire ? P0306- Cylinder 6 Misfire
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2012 Durango fuel system failures center on a defective fuel pump relay linked to NHTSA recall 19V813000. Owners report the vehicle stalls suddenly while driving at various speeds—highway, parking lots, while turning, during deceleration—without warning. After stalling, the engine either won't restart or requires multiple restart attempts or a waiting period. The problem shows up as early as 50,000 miles and as late as 190,000 miles.
Multiple owners had the fuel pump relay replaced under recall yet experienced the same stalling pattern again within weeks or months, or the relay fix exposed a separate fuel pump failure. One owner's recall-repaired relay had a loose wire connection, and another owner reported tapping the relay module would temporarily stop the stalling. The dealership that performed one recall couldn't do much more than state they'd fulfilled recall obligations. One owner paid $1,200 to have an external fuel relay installed.
A handful of cases show the electronic throttle control light turning on during stalls. One owner's accelerator pedal required depression just to start the vehicle, accompanied by abnormal engine noise. The dealership diagnostics consistently point to fuel pump relay failure as the culprit, yet recall repairs don't stick.
Same Dodge Durango fuel system reports on nearby years: 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Fuel pump relay defect—stalling while driving
The fuel pump relay fails, causing sudden loss of engine power and stalling at various speeds, from low-speed parking-lot entry to highway driving. Owners report the vehicle stalls without warning, sometimes multiple times, and must wait or restart multiple times to get the engine running again. Several owners were subject to NHTSA recall 19V813000, which addressed a faulty fuel pump relay switch.
When: Mileage ranging from 50,000 to 190,000 miles; failures occur at various driving speeds and conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of motive power and stalling without warning while driving; Vehicle stalls while turning in either direction; Vehicle stalls while decelerating to a stop; Difficulty restarting; requires multiple attempts or extended wait time; Electronic throttle control system warning light illuminated
Codes mentioned: Fuel pump relay defective (dealer diagnosis)
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump relay replacement; one owner reported external fuel pump relay installed; repair cost cited as $1,200 for one case. Multiple owners report the dealership repair did not resolve the issue or failure recurred shortly after.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 19V813000 (Electrical System)—fuel pump relay switch replacement; NHTSA Campaign 15V115000 (external fuel kit relay module replacement); multiple owners report recall parts were unavailable for extended periods or recall repair was incomplete, with loose connections found after initial service
Fuel pressure loss during acceleration and turns
Owner reports the vehicle acts as if losing fuel pressure while turning, requiring the accelerator pedal to be pushed to the floor to stabilize the vehicle. This occurred after a recall repair attempt that included a loose wire on the external fuel kit relay module.
When: Approximately 4 months after recall repair in September 2015; stalling escalated to near-daily occurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of fuel pressure sensation while turning; Requires heavy acceleration (flooring the gas pedal) to stabilize vehicle; Stalling escalated to almost daily upon startup
Repairs/costs cited: Loose wire found on external fuel kit relay module installed during recall; tapping the relay module temporarily resolved stalling in some instances
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 15V115000; dealership stated recall duties fulfilled but could not provide further support unless issue occurred during service visit
Fuel pump failure post-recall
One week after fuel pump relay switch replacement under NHTSA recall 19V813000, the fuel pump itself failed. Owner reports sudden stall at low speed with inability to restart; electronic throttle control warning light appeared.
When: Approximately 131,000 miles; failure occurred one week after recall repair
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle suddenly stalls at very low speed (less than 5 MPH); Vehicle revs up and fails to start; Electronic throttle control system warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump replacement required; vehicle was not repaired per report
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 19V813000 (Electrical System)—fuel pump relay switch replacement performed; fuel pump failure occurred after this repair
Starter/accelerator pedal abnormality with delayed fuel system response
Owner reports abnormal noise from the vehicle when depressing the accelerator pedal. The accelerator pedal requires depression to start the vehicle, and the failure recurs several times.
When: 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal noise upon accelerator pedal depression; Accelerator pedal must be depressed to start engine; Recurring failures
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 14V115000 (Equipment, Tires); repair parts unavailable, and owner stated manufacturer exceeded reasonable time for recall repair
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had fuel system trouble with your 2012 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 2012 Dodge Durango?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 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 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 50,000 and 131,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 131,000. 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/2012/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.