CarModelProblems.com

2012 Dodge Durango Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 4.9× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
637Complaints
10Recalls
16Crashes
32Fires
16Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System (52.9% of complaints) — is covered by 6 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Electrical System complaints here are 4.9× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System337 · 52.9%RecalledRecall 17V435000 · Recall 15V879000 · Recall 14V391000 · Recall 15V115000 · Recall 14V634000 · Recall 19V813000
Engine141 · 22.1%RecalledRecall 11V487000
Fuel/propulsion System89 · 14%not available
Service Brakes70 · 11%RecalledRecall 17V572000 · Recall 14V154000 · Recall 14V104000
Steering40 · 6.3%not available
Power Train36 · 5.7%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM337 · 52.9%
ENGINE141 · 22.1%
STEERING40 · 6.3%
POWER TRAIN36 · 5.7%
Unspecified / other36 · 5.7%
AIR BAGS28 · 4.4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL24 · 3.8%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING19 · 3%

Percentages are the share of the 637 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 10 campaigns

Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

NHTSA campaign 17V435000 · 2017 · reported 07/10/2017

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:wiring

NHTSA campaign 15V879000 · 2015 · reported 12/28/2015

The vanity lamp wiring may short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes

NHTSA campaign 17V572000 · 2017 · reported 09/18/2017

If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes

NHTSA campaign 14V154000 · 2014 · reported 04/01/2014

The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:wiring

NHTSA campaign 14V391000 · 2014 · reported 07/02/2014

If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System

NHTSA campaign 15V115000 · 2015 · reported 02/27/2015

A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

NHTSA campaign 14V104000 · 2014 · reported 03/04/2014

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 11V487000 · 2011 · reported 09/29/2011

CONNECTING ROD FAILURE MAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

NHTSA campaign 14V634000 · 2014 · reported 10/08/2014

If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System

NHTSA campaign 19V813000 · 2019 · reported 11/14/2019

A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“VEHICLE WILL JUST TURN OVER AND NOT START. TIPM IS WHAT DODGE SAYS BUT THEY CAN'T FIX IT.”NHTSA complaint 10668497 — filed 12/27/2014 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BATTERY WOULD HAVE…”NHTSA complaint 10667745 — filed 12/22/2014 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V634000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING…”NHTSA complaint 10664812 — filed 12/17/2014 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

7201281452014160742016126952018748420206833202221102024732026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Durango?

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 337 of 637 NHTSA complaints (52.9%), followed by engine (141), fuel/propulsion system (89), service brakes (70). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2012 Dodge Durango have?

637 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 16 involved a crash, 32 involved a fire, and 16 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2012 Dodge Durango have any recalls?

Yes — 10 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 17V435000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2012 Dodge Durango's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.