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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Dodge Durango electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Dodge Durango have filed 265 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 83,000 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
265
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Durango | 4 |
| 2011 Durango | 469 |
| 2012 Durango | 309 |
| 2013 Durango (this page) | 265 |
| 2014 Durango | 130 |
| 2015 Durango | 86 |
| 2016 Durango | 32 |
| 2017 Durango | 54 |
3crashes
29fires
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 265 electrical complaints filed for the 2013 Dodge Durango, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Electrical accounts for 41% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 11 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 265 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
SPEAKER - NONE
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SPEAKER - NONE
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 Durango electrical gremlins run deep. Most common complaint: alternator failure that overheats, smokes, and sometimes ignites. Battery warning light comes on, you smell burning, smoke pours from under the hood, and the car goes dead. Several owners report the alternator got so hot it damaged the battery, engine computer (ECM/PCM), and the power module (TIPM) at the same time—meaning one failure cascades into a $2000+ repair bill. A few vehicles actually caught fire; one owner's car burned completely while parked.
No-start and intermittent stalling are equally widespread. Vehicle either won't turn over at all or cranks repeatedly without firing. Dealers typically can't find the problem without a code. The fuel pump relay recall (19V813000) fixed some cases temporarily, but owners and mechanics suspect the real culprit is the TIPM (power module), which Dodge seems reluctant to cover. Dashboard lights flashing, wipers going on by themselves, doors locking randomly, horn sounding for no reason—all point to the TIPM throwing a fit.
The recall process itself is broken. Owners get recall notices but manufacturers and dealers say parts aren't available. Months pass. One owner waited six months for a reimbursement promised in 30–60 days, submitted paperwork three times after it got sent to the wrong department, and still got the runaround. Some customers are told to wait a year for recall parts to arrive.
Bottom line: electrical faults occur unpredictably, often without warning codes, leaving drivers stranded or losing power steering at highway speed. Dealer diagnostics frequently hit a wall. Repair costs balloon when the alternator failure cascades to other modules.
Same Dodge Durango electrical reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Alternator failure with electrical system short
Alternator overheats, smokes, burns serpentine belt, and causes severe electrical short that melts battery, damages ECM/PCM, and creates fire hazard. Owners report battery warning light, burning smell, smoke from alternator, and loss of vehicle power.
When: Intermittent; reported from early vehicle operation through higher mileage. Multiple complaints across model years.
Symptoms owners cite: Battery warning light illumination; Burning smell from engine; Smoke from alternator; Alternator overheating and smoking; Melted or burnt battery; Complete loss of vehicle power; Inability to restart after failure
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replacement required; battery replacement often needed. In multiple cases, ECM/PCM and TIPM damage discovered after alternator failure, requiring those components to be replaced as well. Costs mentioned: alternator $400-900+, ECM/PCM $1200+, TIPM $1560+ (parts and labor). One shop diagnosis cost $500.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall T36 (2013-2014 Durango alternators); Recall 14V634000 (Electrical System); Recall 17V435000; Some VINs excluded from recalls despite same year/model/defect. FCA reimbursement claim process reported as slow and error-prone (6+ month delays, paperwork routing errors, multiple case numbers).
No-start condition and intermittent starting failures
Vehicle fails to start or exhibits hard start requiring multiple attempts. Starter motor may engage continuously without cranking. Problem intermittent and often undiagnosed by dealers due to lack of reproducible fault codes.
When: Ranging from 30K miles to 173K miles; some cases ongoing since 2015-2017.
Symptoms owners cite: Complete failure to start; Hard start requiring multiple attempts; Starter continuously trying to engage for 10+ seconds without cranking; Inability to stop starter by normal ignition control; must lock vehicle with key fob; No warning lights or check engine codes present; Problem occurs intermittently, 2+ times per month
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump relay replacement (under recall 19V813000) provided temporary fix in some cases but issue recurred. Deeper TIPM problem suspected by owners and some technicians. Dealers unable to diagnose without reproduction of fault; some recommended $800+ WIN module replacement without guarantee.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V813000 (Electrical System / Fuel Pump Relay replacement). Recall parts reported unavailable for extended periods (6+ months). Owners report manufacturer claim that recall repair parts not yet available despite repeated dealer and manufacturer contact.
Complete power loss and engine stall while driving
Vehicle loses all electrical power and engine shuts off without warning while in motion. No warning lights precede failure. Immediate loss of power steering creates significant crash risk, especially in traffic or at highway speeds.
When: Occurs at various speeds and driving conditions; some vehicles report 5+ incidents over months or years.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden complete loss of electrical power while driving; Engine shuts off without warning; Loss of power steering; Loss of acceleration; No warning lights or check engine code before failure; Vehicle must be restarted after stall; Some cases: dashboard lights flicker before loss of power
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer visits with no root cause identified. Suspected TIPM malfunction (Totally Integrated Power Module). One owner spent $4000+ on repairs without resolution. Dealer recommendation to replace TIPM as guess-and-check approach. One case noted damaged ignition switch as possible cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V813000 (Electrical System) mentioned but parts unavailable. Manufacturer appears unable to identify root cause in many cases. One case (Narrative #5) dealer suggested WIN module replacement ($800+) without guarantee.
Electrical gremlins and erratic control module behavior
Vehicle exhibits multiple simultaneous electrical system malfunctions: dashboard lights flashing, windshield wipers activating on their own, doors locking/unlocking randomly, horn sounding without input, seat belt warnings triggering unprompted, right rear window lowering without command. Pattern suggests TIPM (power module) malfunction.
When: Ongoing; some cases report 3-4 years of intermittent issues before escalation.
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard warning lights flashing or illuminating erratically; Windshield wipers activating without user input; Doors locking/unlocking on their own; Horn sounding spontaneously; Seat belt warning indicator illuminating without cause; Power windows operating unexpectedly; Right rear window descended and could not be raised until vehicle restarted; Headlights flashing randomly; Radio settings resetting without input
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple visits to dealers; technicians unable to diagnose without code. Some cases mention TIPM as likely culprit ($1560+ replacement). One shop replaced fuel relay under recall but symptoms persisted; later determined TIPM needed replacement as well.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V813000 (fuel pump relay) replaced in some cases but did not resolve wider electrical issues. Owners believe manufacturer aware TIPM is the actual problem but reluctant to cover due to higher cost.
Fire hazard from alternator or electrical system failure
Vehicle catches fire or produces flames/heavy smoke from alternator, engine compartment, or interior (sun visor). Multiple cases of vehicles becoming fully engulfed in flames parked or in motion. Fire department response required in several documented incidents.
When: Can occur at any mileage and during normal operation or after repairs; one case at 300K miles, others at 23K-150K miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke billowing from engine compartment; Flames visible from alternator area; Fire inside vehicle cabin (passenger sun visor); Flame falling from sun visor into cabin while driving at 70 mph; Burning smell prior to fire; Vehicle becomes fully engulfed in flames; Smoke filling interior through air vents
Repairs/costs cited: One owner attempted DIY alternator replacement and replacement alternator began smoking on powered-off vehicle. Multiple cases required complete vehicle write-off/total loss by insurance. Fire department extinguished fires in several cases. One 2014 recall (sun visor fire hazard) was performed but fire still occurred afterward.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14V634000 (Electrical System / Alternator); Recall 19V813000 (Electrical System); Sun visor fire recall (2014). One owner had recall performed in 2014 but vehicle still caught fire years later. FCA investigators sent to some sites but investigation findings not disclosed to owners.
Recall part unavailability and extended delays
Multiple owners report being notified of recalls (especially 19V813000 for fuel pump relay and electrical system) but manufacturer and dealers unable to provide parts for months or years. Owners left unable to have safety defects corrected despite active recalls.
When: 2014-2021; some cases report 6+ months waiting with no parts availability.
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received; Dealer unable to obtain parts; Repeated calls to manufacturer and dealer yield same response: parts not available; Months pass without resolution; Vehicle remains unsafe and undrivable for extended periods
Repairs/costs cited: No repair possible due to part unavailability. Owners report being placed on waiting lists with estimated waits of up to 1 year. Some owners eventually paid for out-of-pocket repairs and attempted reimbursement from manufacturer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V813000 notification issued but remedy parts listed as 'not yet available' by multiple dealers and VIN tool. Recall 14V634000, Recall 17V435000, sun visor fire recall (P36/NHTSA 14V-391), brake booster recall (P14/NHTSA 14V-154). Manufacturer exceeded 'reasonable time' for remedy per owner complaints. One owner reports FCA promised 30-60 day reimbursement; took 6+ months with multiple follow-ups and paperwork routing errors.
Vehicle transmission/drivetrain shifts to low mode unexpectedly
While driving, vehicle spontaneously shifts into low transmission mode, causing vehicle to jerk and decelerate significantly. Traction light illuminates. Owner unable to disengage low mode with normal controls; vehicle remains in low mode for 10-20 minutes before returning to normal operation.
When: Has occurred sporadically for 2+ years on affected vehicle.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shifts into low mode without user input; Car jerks and drives very slowly; Traction light illuminates; Unable to disengage low mode by normal shifter or AWD/low mode knob controls; Neutral engagement does not work most of the time; Vehicle returns to normal mode after 10-20 minutes of troubleshooting
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose; no error codes generated. Dealer states they must see vehicle perform failure to diagnose. Root cause unknown.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall mentioned for this issue.
Passenger side headlight non-functional due to harness defect
Passenger side headlamp does not illuminate despite bulb and fuse testing normal. Owner has owned two Dodge Durangos; both experienced same issue. Problem appears to be wiring harness defect, not individual bulb failure. Owner reports seeing multiple other Dodge Durangos and Chrysler vehicles with same single-side headlight failure.
When: Occurred approximately 1 year after new vehicle purchase on owner's vehicle.
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger side headlight non-functional; No power at headlight bulb socket; Bulb replacement does not restore function; Wiggling headlight harness temporarily restored light on first vehicle; Fuses test normal with multimeter
Repairs/costs cited: Owner suspects wiring harness replacement needed but not performed. First vehicle's light temporarily worked when harness was manipulated.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None mentioned.
Synthesized from 265 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge durango. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v115000 (electrical system); however, the part was unavailable for the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to do the recall repair. The contact had not experienced any failures. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Parts…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge durango. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14v154000 (service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic) and 14v391000 (electrical system) however, the parts for the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the dealer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The…
In november 17, 2016 a recall campaign 15v-115 was issued. My durango was serviced by dealer due to this recall. Recently I took the vehicle to the triangle dealers in puerto rico, with the same issue. They wanted to change the fuel pump, because this was the diagnostic of the mechanic. I did not agreed with the diagnostic because I had already verified that when I moved the cables of the relay…
Purchased vehicle in nov 2013. Received recall for brake booster in may 2014 (p14/NHTSA 14v-154). Called and scheduled an appointment. Dealership said that they would call when the part was received. No call to date. Received second recall notice via mail on 12/26/14. Called dealership and they stated that the parts were not coming in very quickly. Recommended I file this complaint with…
Crank wont start engine light etc sign and abs and crank forever then start then cut off within 5-10 secs with high rpm
While driving the vehicle occasionally stalls without a check engine light or codes showing up
Estaba parado con el motor encendido y el alternador empez a arderse y proboco problemas electricos
Had electrical 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 electrical problem on the 2013 Dodge Durango?
It's a meaningful issue. 265 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 149 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 57,000 and 108,000 miles, with the median around 83,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 57,000; a quarter make it past 108,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.