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#BS-2012-DODDUR-8F7C2012 Dodge Durango
Based on reports from 914 owners and 10 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 914 complaints, 24 crashes, 43 fires, and 10 recalls. Complaint rate is 2.9x the class average.
Top reported problems
engine wont turnover wont start
25 complaints • Severity 7.8/10
tipm faulty will not start no power
15 complaints • Severity 9.1/10
alternator failure
7 complaints • Severity 8.6/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
337 owners reported electrical issues — failures commonly reported around 71K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 30–60K miles (192 reports) • Median: 71K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Electrical (337 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2012 Dodge Durango: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 37% of all reports filed for the 2012 Dodge Durango, with 337 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 70,599 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 71K-mile mark.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 16% of all reports filed for the 2012 Dodge Durango, with 147 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Fuel System Issues
Fuel System complaints account for 11% of all reports filed for the 2012 Dodge Durango, with 96 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to fuel system-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Brakes Issues
Brakes complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 2012 Dodge Durango, with 75 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to brakes-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2012 Dodge Durango. Recent trend: stable.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (10 recalls)
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 WITH 3.6L ENGINES. THESE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILURE DUE TO DEBRIS INSIDE THE ENGINE BLOCK.
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 feel.
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.
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 performed.
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 vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
+ 5 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Dodge Durango is the 2004 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2012 Dodge Durango vs. Class Average (Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD)
This vehicle
914
Class avg
313
2.9x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical sport utility vehicle - 2wd vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 914 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 10 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Dodge Durango Model Years
2012 Dodge Durango: Frequently Asked Questions
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10 sections of AI analysis based on 914 owner reports. Know before you buy.