Dodge Durango problems
226 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — 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
I bought this car, brand new off the dealer and it has been in perfect shape until 120,000 miles. All of a sudden the check engine light comes in and turns out it was the head gasket!! 5 years old, hasn't needed a thing and the mechanic tells me I need a new engine!? What good…
Parasitic draw on battery battery died suddenly and stays charged one or two days first time it was shut off for 30 minutes in park was jump started and operating second time sit overnight and battery was completely drained failed to jumpstart applied charger overnight…
Vehicle tail light housings (3ea) are not adequately sealed and protected from the elements and allow water/debris to intrude. Water accumulation has caused dimming and shorting of lights. Dodge customer service was contacted and stated they are not currently and will not…
Touchscreen display failure. Causes erratic and distracting behaviors of the HVAC, radio, navigation, phone, and other systems while vehicle is in use. Prevents setting or changing of safety related settings (ie; lane departure settings, automatic headlamp controls, alarms,…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2018 Dodge Durango reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 226 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 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 2018 Dodge Durango?
The 2018 Dodge Durango is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — 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 2018 Dodge Durango?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 77 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 41,208 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 41,208 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 2018 Dodge Durango?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 226 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.