The Lemon Index2012 Dodge Durango.
The 2012 Dodge Durango is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 242 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 469, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 15 to 19 mpg combined. The best Dodge Durango year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 640 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Dodge Durango year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 43K to 100K miles on the car (471 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 49K–100K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 50K–103K miles
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 42K–94K miles
Recalls 10
- electrical 2019
The fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.
- brakes 2017
The affected vehicles had brake booster shields installed under a previous campaign to prevent water from entering the brake booster and limiting braking ability.
- electrical 2017
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.
Show all 10 recalls
- electrical 2015
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.
- electrical 2015
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 2014
In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
- electrical 2014
In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after a service repair is performed.
- brakes 2014
The subject vehicles have a brake booster with a center shell that may corrode and allow water to get inside.
- brakes 2014
Under certain braking events, the Ready Alert Braking System (RAB) may result in the driver experiencing a hard brake pedal feel.
- engine 2011
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 MA…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 207 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Squeal Noise From Front Of Vehicle When Braking This bulletin involves verifying the front…
- Adaptive Cruise Control Sensor 1) If you are replacing this part due to the cluster displaying…
- Front Brake Squeak/Squeal Noise This bulletin involves replacing the front brake caliper guide…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedActive head rest inadvertent deployment2019–2026
- ClosedPost 14v-391 headliner fires2015–2016
- ClosedTotally integrated power module failure2014–2015
- ClosedHeadliner fires2014
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Durango SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Dodge Durango SUV 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3400–4900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Airbag light, then loss of power. Hard to crank and will lose power while driving.
2012 Dodge Durango owner · NHTSA complaint 10621901
More owner reports
The brake pedal got stuck and I think the power booster was not functioning as the pedal was petrified,
NHTSA complaint 10577099
Car battery is dead, battery is fine, possible faulty tipm.l
NHTSA complaint 10648214
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Dodge Durango reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 4.7× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 469; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Durango year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2012 Dodge Durango problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (51%), brakes (21%) and fuel or ev drive system (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Durango have?
10 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Dodge Durango get?
15 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Dodge Durango safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Durango problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 43,000 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 66,000 miles, from 471 complaints.
Does the 2012 Dodge Durango have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 6% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Dodge Durango cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 to $4900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Dodge Durango have?
3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Durango year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2022 and 2019.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works