Total Complaints
914 filings
DODGE DURANGO · model year
914 NHTSA complaints, 24 crash reports, and 10 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012DODGEDURANGO carries 914 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 24 crashes, 43 fires, 19 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 3/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 DURANGO is electrical system with 337 filings, followed by engine (141) and fuel/propulsion system (89). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 10 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 2012 DURANGO. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
914 filings
Crashes Reported
24 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 337 |
| ENGINE | 141 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 89 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 70 |
| STEERING | 40 |
| POWER TRAIN | 36 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 36 |
| AIR BAGS | 28 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 23 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 19 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 10 |
| SEATS | 8 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 7 |
| INTERIOR LIGHTING | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 6 |
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHRYSLER VEHICLES, INCLUDING 200 AND TOWN AND COUNTRY MODELS, DODGE VEHICLES, INCLUDING CHARGER, DURANGO, GRAND CARAVAN AND JOURNEY MODELS AND JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 31, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13, 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED W
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured December 3, 2009, to September 1, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after having been remedied for a prior rec
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 17, 2010, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6, 5.7 or 6.4 liter engine, and 2012-2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured January 18, 2011, to August 19, 2013, and equipped wit
SERVICE BRAKES
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles had brake booster shields installed under a previous campaign to prevent water from entering the brake booster and limiting braking ability. This recall is to verify that the
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 3.6, 5.7, or 6.4 liter engine and previously recalled under NHTSA Recall 14V530 or 15V115. The fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing th
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 o
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicle
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 11, 2011, through October 1, 2012. Under certain braking events, the Ready Alert Braking System (RAB) may result in the driver experiencing a hard brake pedal
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 5, 2010, through December 11, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after a service repair is perf
SERVICE BRAKES
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010, through September 8, 2013. The subject vehicles have a brake booster with a center shell that may corrode and allow water to get inside.
Alternator went out and fried the pcm. I know certain vehicles were on the recall for this and mine was not one of them but odd that it happened anyways.
I took my Durango to Albany ga to dodge dealership for recall on brake booster water shield repair plus the other recall they fixed one recall and say they can't fix brake booster recall cause they say they will not have part available til a year later which I have concerns about my safety of recall not being repaired for a whole year
The contact owned a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact opened the door and noticed that the interior of the vehicle was completely burned. The vehicle was unoccupied. The contact stated the exterior of the vehicle had no signs of fire. The vehicle was towed to the local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss. In addition, the contact stated that prior to the failure, there was an unknown warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V879000 (Electrical System, Interior Lighting), which had a similar failure description; however the VIN was not associated with the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 186,488.
Mileage: 186,488
Has major issues â¦
Has major issues â¦
Has major issues â¦
There have been several times where I am stopped at a light or stop sign and the car stalls. It happens when I try to start going from the stop, not while I'm stopped. I believe this an issue that has been recalled already, but obviously, it did not fix the problem. My vehicle will also not turn over sometimes. It just continually try to turn over multiple times and I have to wait for it to stop on its own before I can try again.
My vehicle has had recalls performed multiple times since 1st purchased in 2012. The issue was vehicle stalling. At 1st Chrysler / Dodge addressed it as issues upon start up where the vehicle sounded as though it was skipping when hitting the ignition button. They attempted to remedy this with multiple fuel pump relay recalls. They attempted to do internal which did not work. They then went external which also did not work. Nothing was ever formerly recognized as a suitable resolution, so any of us dealing with this were just forgotten. Well I still have this vehicle and it has gotten worse to the point the vehicle will randomly stall while in motion as it did the other day and on multiple other occasions. Under braking conditions the vehicle stalls where everything on the dash appears normal electronically, there is just no power and the steering locks up. I have addressed this multiple times with Dodge customer service as well as my local dealership. The dealership does not want to a
My vehicle has had recalls performed multiple times since 1st purchased in 2012. The issue was vehicle stalling. At 1st Chrysler / Dodge addressed it as issues upon start up where the vehicle sounded as though it was skipping when hitting the ignition button. They attempted to remedy this with multiple fuel pump relay recalls. They attempted to do internal which did not work. They then went external which also did not work. Nothing was ever formerly recognized as a suitable resolution, so any of us dealing with this were just forgotten. Well I still have this vehicle and it has gotten worse to the point the vehicle will randomly stall while in motion as it did the other day and on multiple other occasions. Under braking conditions the vehicle stalls where everything on the dash appears normal electronically, there is just no power and the steering locks up. I have addressed this multiple times with Dodge customer service as well as my local dealership. The dealership does not want to a
Electric problem
Electric problem
Electric problem
While driving our 2012 Dodge Durango in town, we noticed the battery warning light come on and a hot smell coming from the vehicle. We were not far from home so we limped it back home to the garage to see what was going on. When we lifted the hood, there was a very overwhelming burning smell, our alternator was literally glowing red hot, and there was smoke pouring out from around it. We quickly put out the fire and disconnected the battery. Afterwards, we had it towed to a repair shop where it was confirmed the alternator failed as well as fried our PCM in the process. We paid for the install of a new alternator and PCM, however, the radio remained failed. Upon researching this scenario, we found there was a recall for this exact issue for the exact span of years and engine type, however, our VIN was somehow not included in this recall. That needs to be changed. The alternator issue could have been extremely dangerous for our family while in the car, as well as others around us due t
SRS System light came on. Air bags will not work when this light is on. Safety hazard.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would intermittently stall upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it remained in their possession for four days; the contact was later informed that the defect was related to the battery. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System) which was linked to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Mileage: 140,000
My fairly new teen driver drove the car to the gym and the headrest basically âexplodedâ onto the back of his head with a swift blow. He had a very bad headache and was really freaked out. There were no lights, no notice, no impact. Just out of the blue drivers side. Called local dealership to see what it could be and apparently the pin can break or the plastic holding the pin and the airbag restraint type system in the headrest will just explode open as if in an accident. He said no recalls and out of warranty. How can this NOT be a serious safety issue??? My inexperienced teen driver could have been so stunned he caused an accident! Anyways they said it would be roughly $1100 to replace entire headrest because there is no option to repair it once deployed. Can we still drive it? If we donât have that $ now
My fairly new teen driver drove the car to the gym and the headrest basically âexplodedâ onto the back of his head with a swift blow. He had a very bad headache and was really freaked out. There were no lights, no notice, no impact. Just out of the blue drivers side. Called local dealership to see what it could be and apparently the pin can break or the plastic holding the pin and the airbag restraint type system in the headrest will just explode open as if in an accident. He said no recalls and out of warranty. How can this NOT be a serious safety issue??? My inexperienced teen driver could have been so stunned he caused an accident! Anyways they said it would be roughly $1100 to replace entire headrest because there is no option to repair it once deployed. Can we still drive it? If we donât have that $ now
Headrest exploded while I was driving. Hit me in the head. Gave me a concussion. Dealership says there is no recall. I have to pay out of pocket. This is a safety feature. I am not paying for the repairs.
Headrest exploded while I was driving. Hit me in the head. Gave me a concussion. Dealership says there is no recall. I have to pay out of pocket. This is a safety feature. I am not paying for the repairs.
While picking my son up from religion my vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. Thankfully I was pulling into the church parking lot and was in no real danger. I tried to jump start the vehicle with no success, but did notice the insulation on the jumper cables had started to melt. Towed to mechanic and was told the alternator had failed, in turn fried the battery. He replaced both, but then discovered the PCM was fried as well. Took it to the dealer here and was told faulty alternator again, which was replaced again, only to be told the PCM was fried. Now I'm into this for $3000 and I have no faith in the vehicle, the manufacturer, or the dealerships.
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG FAILURE
VEHICLE UNDER-SEAT FIRE
STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING SHAFT BOLTS
STEERING WHEEL AND SHAFT BOLTS
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.