2012 Dodge Durango: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Dodge Durango: 10 recalls, 640 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
10 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #11V487000 · 2011 · 667 vehicles
What's wrong: 6l engines. These engines May experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block.
Why it matters: Connecting rod failure May lead to engine seizure which May increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #14V104000 · 2014 · 18,780 vehicles
What's wrong: Under certain braking events, the ready alert braking system (rab) May result in the driver experiencing a hard brake pedal feel.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS module software, free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2014.
Brakes, Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #14V154000 · 2014 · 646,498 vehicles
What's wrong: The subject vehicles have a brake booster with a center shell that May corrode and allow water to get inside.
Why it matters: The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.…
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V391000 · 2014 · 653,562 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor May short circuit, after a service repair is performed.
Why it matters: If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.
The 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V634000 · 2014 · 435,081 vehicles
What's wrong: 6l engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator May suddenly fail.
Why it matters: If the alternator fails, the vehicle May stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015.
Electrical Vehicle recall #15V115000 · 2015 · 339,525 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Interior lights, Electrical Vehicle recall #15V879000 · 2015 · 389,252 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The vanity lamp wiring May short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
The 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #17V435000 · 2017 · 442,214 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Brakes, Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #17V572000 · 2017 · 646,394 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability May be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #19V813000 · 2019 · 528,594 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
The 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 32 mention a fire, 16 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (347): the most common themes are electrical failure (213), stalls / loses power (148), warning light on (77).
- Engine (141): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (68), warning light on (37), electrical failure (35).
- Fuel & propulsion (89): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (41), electrical failure (26), won't start (18).
- Brakes (71): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (8).
The 2012 Dodge Durango has 640 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 29 Durango model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 475). Complaints peaked in 2015 (121 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 66,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (800 complaints, 8 recalls), 2013 (640 complaints, 11 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Midgrade |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 20 | 15 | Midgrade |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Dodge Durango.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Dodge Durango have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Dodge Durango. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Dodge Durango problems?
Owners have filed 640 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (347), engine (141), fuel & propulsion (89).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Dodge Durango get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (3.6 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Dodge Durango repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.