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ProblemsByVinFile / 2016-DODGE-DURANGONHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Dodge
2016 Dodge Durango problems
The 2016 Dodge Durango has 161 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2016 Dodge Durango has 161 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is lighting at 40 complaints (~$250 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 Durango?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Powertrain: 30 complaints, classified severe
Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
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
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
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: 2016 Dodge Durango SUV 2WD. 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 2016 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
lighting — 40 owner reports
· ~$250 to fix
electrical — 32 owner reports
· ~$850 to fix
powertrain — 30 owner reports
· ~$2,500 to fix
airbags — 6 owner reports
· ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged
severe on this model
.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
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.
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.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2016 Durango· electrical
Was driving and the vehicle stalled well driving, Had a hard time trying to stop and could barley steer the vehicle. Vehicle was flashing shift to park. This has happened two times to me now and I took it to the dealership and it happened to them as well. The radio screen…
I was driving home from the store on dec 8th 2019. When I went to make a left onto my street, my wheel locked up and I hit the curb at a low rate of speed. A warning came on that said "power steering unavailable" (see picture)
The power steering has gone out. It fully went out while driving into a parking lot from a highway exit. The truck started making sounds and will not turn now. The vehicle has only 60,000 miles. I have seen where other Dodge and Ram vehicles are having similar issues where the…
Electrical issues involving specific fuses in the vehicle where the f13 fuse constantly fries and melts into the fuse box. Causing an electrical burning smell. No warning lights come on. Certain aspects of the car stop working like the blower motor.
Had a problem with your 2016 Dodge Durango?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 10, 2016, to April 28, 2016 and equipped with a 3
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly for damage to the fuel rail crossover tube, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S85.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured December 9, 2015, to January 14, 2016
A cracked brake caliper may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front left brake caliper and depending on its casting date, replace it, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on May 12, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S16.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Dodge Durango reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 161 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 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 2016 Dodge Durango?
The 2016 Dodge Durango is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 30 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. 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 2016 Dodge Durango?
Inspect the lighting first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 40 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $250 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 2016 Dodge Durango a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 161 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is lighting. 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 2016 Dodge Durango?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is lighting, with 40 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The lighting is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop. 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 2016 Dodge Durango?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 161 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $250, 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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Dodge/Durango.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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