KnownCarProblems2012 Dodge Durango Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 640 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Durango, most often about the electrical (54% of complaints, typically around 70,500 miles). It is 8th of 26 Durango model years by number of complaints and has 10 recalls.
Most common 2012 Dodge Durango problems
Electrical
347 complaints · 54%Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: alternator/generator/regulator, ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery, instrument panel.
At about 54k/56k miles the airbag and check engine light began to go on and off. When I got it checked they did not report anything outside of air is system but that was covered in the diagnostic. Then the car would make sudden jumps for no reason, airbag and engine and brakelights repeadedly came on and off. While…
I have been told that the tipm is defective. The car will crank and not start. The car says that is running and is not. It has shut off while I was driving.
Engine
149 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver as the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not…
2012 Dodge Durango crew with a v6. Engine died while driving down the highway. I lost power steering and power brakes, but managed to get out of traffic and let it coast to the shoulder. The engine would crank, but immediately die. After a few attempts, the engine began running smoothly. Since then, it will…
Fuel system
99 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start because it was not receiving fuel from the relay. The vehicle was taken to a Dodge dealer where it was confirmed that the VIN was included in a recall; however, the part was unavailable. The contact received notification of…
The fuel relay was recalled on my car (NHTSA # 15v-115); I was trying to drive and the car would not function. I took it to a Dodge mechanic who stated that the problem was the internal fuel relay pump that failed. This is part of the tipm. The part that failed was part of the recall. Prestige Dodge stated that they…
Brakes
75 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 38,000 miles. Parts named most often: pedals and linkages.
Driving in freezing weather at approximately 35-40 MPH. I went to brake, & brakes felt hard, pedal would not depress completely, & coming to s stop was difficult & took more time than usual. Took car to auto shop nearby & they diagnosed with failed brake booster. Had car towed to chrysler dealer as it was dangerous to…
While applying the brakes, additional pressure was required in order to attempt to stop. This has happened in cold weather but now has also happened in summer. The brakes failed to completely slow the vehicle and a crash occurred at slow speed.
Steering
42 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist.
My battery light came on. Within minutes all the other lights on my dashboard came on, my air starting blowing hot and then it started to stall. Luckily I was on a small road and was able to coast off onto the grass. The car was dead and smoke was pouring from the alternator. I went and bought a new battery and…
I had just exited an uphill ramp after coming off the highway from about 65 MPH to 35 MPH. After entering the ramp I had to stop at a red light. When it was time to turn right, the gas would not accelerate the car and the steering wheel had locked up. I had to restart the vehicle in order to proceed with my route.…
Transmission
37 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline.
Driving normally for about an hour. Made 10 minute stop. Came out and car would not fire. Cranked for 20 seconds twice and nothing. Waited 5 minutes and it started. Went to pull out into traffic and it stalled. Cranked again, nothing. Then started. It happened again 2 days later. Took to dealer and they said it was a…
Vehicle starts then stalls out, or just cranks and cranks, and won't start. Happened a few times at stop lights after short drive. Was able to finally get started to drive to dealer, was told I could either replace the tipm for over $1000, or do a fuel relay bypass to the existing tipm for a little over $550. Same…
Other or unspecified
36 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles.
My 2012 Dodge Durango is has been giving me intermittent fits for a few months now. Sometimes I can crank it other times not. Sometimes it will crank and run fine then all of a sudden a big red z flashes on my dash, the engine feels like it dies, I lose power an many of the lights on my speedometer come on, such as…
My alternator suddenly failed causing all systems in the vehicle to fail. My ABS light came on battery light came on radio powered off heat came on and it smelled like smoke the windshield wipers came on when I was at a light then I turned at light and had no control over the vehicle pulled over and turned the vehicle…
Air bags
28 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles.
At less than 73,000 miles on vehicle and just six years old the air bag light will go off and on. The light will blink on and off at all times then will go off for weeks then come back on and stay on. This is a safety issue that must get fixed by manufacturer.
Sunday, june 3, 2018, my airbag warning light came on with the intermittent and annoying 'ding' to signal an issue. The vehicle was working fine when I parked it the night before with no warning lights on. Light will periodically go out briefly and then come back on with the 'ding.' I was driving the car the first…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Dodge Durango recalls
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler (fca US llc) will replace the affected fuel pump relay and related wire harness. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed beginning december 19, 2019. Vehicles that experience a fuel pump failure will receive an interim repair. Owners will receive a second notice when the final remedy becomes available. Owner notification letters were mailed on december 10, 2020. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is v62.
Full defect summary
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 the vehicle to stall without warning.
Brakes: service brakes
Risk: If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster shield, correcting the installation as necessary, free of charge. The recall began november10, 2017. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is t59.
Full defect summary
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 brake booster shield installation was performed properly.
Electrical: alternator/generator/regulator
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began february 12, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is t36.
Full defect summary
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 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Lights: interior lighting
Risk: The vanity lamp wiring may short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealer will install clearance for sun visor wiring, protection from sharp edges, and replace the sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on july 28, 2016. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is r71.
Full defect summary
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 recall for the vanity lamp wiring. This recall is also addressing certain vehicles that have not been remedied under that prior recall.
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump relay with one external to the tipm. The recall began on august 7, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is r09. Note: this recall is an expansion of recall 14v-530. Note: this recall has been superseded by recall 19v813.
Full defect summary
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 with a 3.6 or 5.7 liter engine. In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump relay inside the totally integrated power module (tipm-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.
Electrical: alternator/generator/regulator
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on february 27, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is p60.
Full defect summary
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 vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Electrical: wiring
Risk: If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any damaged wiring, and install a new sun visor that properly routes the wire, free of charge. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is p36.
Full defect summary
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 performed.
Brakes: service brakes
Risk: The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a water diverter shield to the booster after the booster has been tested to confirm it can hold an acceptable amount of vacuum pressure. If the booster inspection confirms an unacceptable loss of vacuum pressure, the booster will be replaced. Repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began on may 30, 2014. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is p14.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Risk: If the driver experiences a hard brake pedal, the driver may not push the pedal as intended, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS module software, free of charge. The recall began on april 3, 2014. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number associated with this recall is p05.
Full defect summary
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 feel.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and replace the engine free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about november 18, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
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 with 3.6l engines. These engines may experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Active head rest inadvertent deployment
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe19014 on september 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the active head rest (ahr) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (my) 2014 jeep grand cherokee and dodge durango vehicles.when odi opened the investigation, odi was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.a small number of early warning reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat ahr inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.reported safety consequences resulting from the ahr deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of
Post 14v-391 headliner fires
Summary
In response to this investigation, fiat chrysler automobiles (fca) is conducting a recall to address headliner fires that occur post 14v-391.on december 22, 2015 fca notified the office of defects investigation (odi) of safety recall 15v-879 to remedy potential headliner fires occurring in 389,252 model year (my) 2011-2013 dodge durango and jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured from december 3, 2009 to september 1, 2012.note this recall, which was scoped based on vehicle design level and field events, does not include all my 2013 or any my 2014 durango and grand cherokee vehicles; odi and fca will continue to monitor the field experience for this population.odi opened this investigation
Totally integrated power module failure
Summary
In a letter dated august 21, 2014, the center for auto safety (cas) petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the totally integrated power module (tipm) installed in chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that tipm defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On september 25, 2014, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened dp14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. Odi analyzed complaint data provided by cas as
Headliner fires
Summary
On july 1st, 2014 chrysler group llc (chrysler) notified the office of defects investigation (odi) that it would conduct a safety recall to remedy a wiring-related fire hazard on the headliner of approximately 661,888 model year (my) 2011-2014 jeep grand cherokee and dodge durango vehicles manufactured between january 5, 2010 and december 11, 2013 (see NHTSA safety recall 14v-391), with notifications to begin in august 2014. According to chrysler, the fire is caused by an electrical short in the vanity lamp wiring for either one of the sun visors mounted on the vehicle. The sun visors are mounted to the roof of the vehicle through the headliner with three metal screws. It is possible for the
Headliner fires
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has identified 5 reports of vehicle headliners catching fire at the front of the vehicle near the sun visors on jeep grand cherokees.customers reported a range of fire conditions ranging from minor overheating to an open flame at the headliner and/or sun visor material while driving the vehicle. In some reports the fire spread to the front seats and/or door panels of the vehicle.in one report, the sunroof was damaged causing the glass to shatter.the cause of these fires is an electrical short in the vanity lighting wiring circuit that is routed to either one of the sun visors.the sun visors are mounted to the roof of the vehicle through the headliner
Questions about the 2012 Dodge Durango
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Durango?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (347 complaints, typically around 70,500 miles); engine (149 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); fuel system (99 complaints, typically around 59,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Durango have?
- 10 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 14, 2019 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Dodge Durango?
- It is 8th of 26 Durango model years by number of complaints, with 640 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.