PLATE - CLUTCH PRESSURE For 68RFE trans use selective fit pressure plates between the overdrive and reverse clutch packs and hence use all three 52119929A$, 52119930A$, 04799116A$ maintain clearance For 65RFE & 66RFE no selectives for this pressure plate: 65RFE use 04799116A$ 66RFE use 52119929A$
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Dodge Durango brakes problems
severe 52 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
52
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 52 brakes complaints filed for the 2013 Dodge Durango, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 52 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 12 model years of Dodge Durango in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
PLATE - CLUTCH PRESSURE For 68RFE trans use selective fit pressure plates between the overdrive and reverse clutch packs and hence use all three 52119929A$, 52119930A$, 04799116A$ maintain clearance For 65RFE & 66RFE no selectives for this pressure plate: 65RFE use 04799116A$ 66RFE use 52119929A$
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Front Brake Squeak/Squeal Noise This bulletin involves replacing the front brake caliper guide pin bushings. The customer may describe a front brake squeak/squeal noise at cold temperatures or with cold brakes after sitting. Noise is most prevalent during a low-speed stop with light brake pedal effort.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗New Safety Recall Advanced Communication ? P14040214 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) announced a safety recall on certain 2011 through 2014 model year (WD) Dodge Durango and (WK) Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. Some Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles may have a brake booster that could prematurely corrode. If perforation of the brake booster shell (due to corrosion) occurs, the brake booster may ingest water during vehicle operation during wet weather conditions. A brake booster that has experienced water ingestion may have the brake function compromised if the water inside the brake booster freezes. The driver may be required to apply additional application force to apply the brakes
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗New Safety Recall Advanced Communication ? P14040214 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) announced a safety recall on certain 2011 through 2014 model year (WD) Dodge Durango and (WK) Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. Some Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles may have a brake booster that could prematurely corrode. If perforation of the brake booster shell (due to corrosion) occurs, the brake booster may ingest water during vehicle operation during wet weather conditions. A brake booster that has experienced water ingestion may have the brake function compromised if the water inside the brake booster freezes. The driver may be required to apply additional application force to apply the brakes
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Fifty-two complaints center on brake system failures and recall repair delays. The dominant issue is brake booster corrosion and perforation (recall 14V154000/P14). Owners received recall notices but dealers had no parts in stock—many waited 2–4 weeks initially, then months with no timeline. Chrysler shipped limited quantities to dealers weekly; owners report being placed on waiting lists with no communication. One owner waited from June 2014 until August still unrepaired; another from November 2013 to March 2016. Dealers could not provide estimated repair dates, and Chrysler's recall assistance center offered no help.
Beyond recall delays, owners describe active brake failures. Multiple cases report brake pedals that become rock-hard and unresponsive, requiring excessive force or failing entirely. One driver had to stomp the brake three times before it engaged while on a highway at speed. Another experienced complete brake loss in wet conditions, forcing dangerous swerving across traffic lanes. A third had brakes fail at 15 mph, causing a 50–60 foot stopping distance before hitting another vehicle. Some failures occurred even after recall repair was supposedly completed.
A few owners discovered secondary failures during recall inspections: a leaking master cylinder on a 9,000-mile vehicle and a master cylinder that disassembled when removed. One owner's vehicle stalled and lost both brakes and power steering simultaneously in heavy rain. Owners consistently express fear of letting family members or other drivers operate these vehicles.
Same Dodge Durango brakes reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Brake Booster Corrosion and Perforation
Brake booster develops rust, perforations, and corrosion due to environmental exposure. The booster can freeze or fail in cold/wet conditions, compromising braking power. Multiple recall notices (14V154000, P14) issued to address this defect.
When: Various mileages; some owners noted issue shortly after purchase around 2013–2014
Symptoms owners cite: No response or delayed response when brake pedal depressed; Brake booster requires replacement; Rust dripping from wheels indicating brake booster rust; Brake warning light illumination; Hissing or rushing air sound when braking
Codes mentioned: 14V154000, P14
Repairs/costs cited: Brake booster replacement and shield installation required. Parts availability severely constrained; owners cite 2–4 week waits, dealers receiving only small quantities per week or unable to source parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall 14V154000 (Service Brakes, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) issued; parts supplied in limited quantities to dealers, causing backlogs of hundreds of vehicles waiting for repair.
Hard/Stiff Brake Pedal—Intermittent Loss of Assist
Brake pedal becomes abnormally hard and difficult to depress, preventing adequate stopping force. Issue occurs intermittently at highway speeds, making diagnosis difficult. Some owners report pedal pushback on their foot. ABS module software update attempted but did not resolve recurrence.
When: Intermittent; multiple occurrences during vehicle ownership; one case noted at 100 miles, another at ~50 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal extremely hard or stiff to depress; Pedal resists depressing; requires excessive force; Brake pedal pushes back against driver's foot; Inability to stop vehicle normally; Intermittent nature prevents technician replication
Codes mentioned: ABS module software (per one narrative)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had ABS module software update attempted; failure recurred. Some vehicles not included in recalls 14V154000 or 14V104000 despite matching symptoms. No parts cost or successful repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: ABS software update offered in at least one case; recall eligibility denied for some vehicles despite reported symptoms matching recall issues.
Complete Brake Failure—Multiple Stomp Required
Brake system fails to respond on first or second brake application; requires multiple hard pedal presses or stomping before brakes engage. Air noise (rushing/hissing) may precede partial restoration of braking power. Extremely dangerous—creates near-collision risks.
When: Intermittent events during normal highway driving; one incident reported on I-35 during morning commute
Symptoms owners cite: No braking response on first pedal application; No braking response on second application; Third or subsequent stomp finally engages brakes; Rushing or hissing air noise heard at brake engagement; Brakes function normally after initial failure event
Repairs/costs cited: No repair parts or costs documented for this specific failure mode.
Master Cylinder Leak
Master brake cylinder leaks and deteriorates. Discovered during brake booster recall service on a vehicle with fewer than 9,000 miles. Part condition indicates internal failure or manufacturing defect.
When: Under 9,000 miles on new vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Leaking master brake cylinder discovered during recall inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder replacement required; dealer reported unavailability until 8/11/14 with additional brake booster parts also unavailable on unknown timeline. Owner expressed concern about parts shortage indicating broader manufacturing issue.
Brake Failure with Collision
Brake system malfunctions during stopping attempt, resulting in low-speed collision. In one case, brake pedal hesitates at 15 mph approach to stop, causing 50–60 foot stopping delay and contact with occupied vehicle. In another, brakes fail entirely in wet conditions, causing swerving across lanes to avoid school bus and oncoming traffic.
When: At 166,000 miles (case 3); freeway incident in wet conditions (case 32); low-speed intersection stop (case 20); icy conditions (case 46)
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal hesitation; slow response to depression; Brakes malfunction; vehicle does not stop; Inability to decelerate in wet/icy conditions; Brake warning light illumination
Codes mentioned: 17V572000 (case 3)
Repairs/costs cited: Case 3: brake booster replacement needed (diagnosed by independent mechanic). Cases 20 and 46: repairs unknown or out-of-pocket. Case 32: occurred after recall repair was completed months earlier.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V572000 identified in case 3; vehicle VIN included but owner had not received recall notice before failure. No compensation documented for accident damages in case 46.
Brake Pedal Sinks to Floor—Master Cylinder Disassembly
Brake pedal slowly sinks toward floor during driving. Upon removal, master cylinder disassembles or falls apart, indicating structural failure of the component.
When: Mileage unspecified; owner expressed concern about wife and children riding in vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal gradually sinks toward floor; Master cylinder structural failure; component disassembles
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder removal and inspection revealed catastrophic disassembly. Owner considering selling vehicle.
Loss of Power and Brakes During Acceleration in Rain
Vehicle loses acceleration, stalls, and loses both brakes and power steering simultaneously during heavy rain at highway speed. Owner able to deploy emergency brake to stop but experienced complete system failure.
When: Driving in hard rain at 60 mph, then 40 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not accelerate when attempting to resume speed; Engine stalls; Complete loss of brakes; Complete loss of power steering; Failure occurs in wet conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Owner suspects alternator issue but notes dealership already completed alternator recall. Connection between alternator failure and brake/steering loss unclear but reported together.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Alternator recall 14V634000 issued; parts unavailable at time of writing.
Synthesized from 52 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
My Chrysler dealer has failed to replace Chrysler's recalled brake booster and shield within a reasonable amount of time. I took my 2013 Dodge durango to the premier chryslerjeep Dodge Ram of tracy, california back in june 2014; they tested the car and said they would contact me when the replacement brake booster and shield were in stock. I've called twice since then and was told that parts are…
P14 recall on brake booster. Received 2nd notice today and have been to the dealership 3 times all 3 times I was told that they will not look at the recalled part as they don't have the parts in stock to replace. I called Chrysler recall group and they can't guarantee the parts to be available, only to call other dealerships to see what can be done. On top of this I now have a alternator…
Had brakes trouble with your 2013 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 brakes problem on the 2013 Dodge Durango?
It's a meaningful issue. 52 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 10,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 46,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/2013/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.