2012 Dodge Durango Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 141about this part
- Share
- 22%of 640 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 141 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Dodge Durango, 22% of the 640 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The engine regularly will not start when I push the button. It stalls over and over. Sometimes leaving us stranded. This has been happening since at least 2016 and I have had all recalls repaired. The matter has never resolved! Now I have been informed that the initial recall replacement part was faulty and Dodge currently does not have a fix.”
NHTSA complaint #11297870, filed 2020-01, 42,000 miles“My wife was driving her 2012 Durango and the battery light came on and blind spot warning was going off. The engine started making a loud noise. She was 2 miles from home, so I told her to drive home and take my truck. When I got home I investigated the issue. Within 1 minute of me idling the engine to listen for where noise the alternator started smoking and internal were glowing red.”
NHTSA complaint #11402496, filed 2021-03, 108,000 miles“Engine has cutout (turns off) while driving on 4 occasions. On all four occasions it has occurred while I was exiting a road/ramp. When vehicle cuts out power steering also does not work. In all occasions I have been able to pull off the road or stop before the road ends. The vehicle then starts right back up and functions properly. No check engine lights have come on.”
NHTSA complaint #11291694, filed 2019-12, 105,000 miles“Vehicle started have a ticking noise. So I took it to dealer. Dealer states I need new engine doe to haveing metal shavings in engine oil. Vehicle has 136000 miles on it the oil have been changed every 3000 miles dealer won't help with this issue and don't want 8600 for new engine. There are a many people with this issue”
NHTSA complaint #11269569, filed 2019-10, 136,000 miles“I came to a stop at a stop light to turn right and the vehicle stalled. I didn't have time to record it because there were cars coming down the exit behind me. I immediately kept my foot on the brake and placed the vehicle in park and restarted it. The mileage is at 93,322. The flight recorder the dealership placed on the vehicle didn't work so there was nothing to capture.”
NHTSA complaint #10984592, filed 2017-05, 93,322 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11032984May 19, 2026Cooler - engine oil
- 11032983May 19, 2026Cooler - engine oil
- 10212290Mar 6, 2022Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter…
- 10180203Aug 1, 2020No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle
- 10162466May 3, 2019Oil Filter Adapter If replacing Oil Filter Adapter due to oil leak, please be aware a seal kit is available for repair. If replacing due to missing Spring Loaded Check Valve, a…
- 10130087Aug 24, 2016PSU Exhaust Phaser 05048043AB If replacing the Exhaust Phaser for the following codes: P0340 Cam Missing/Camshaft Sensor Circuit and/or P0345 Cam Missing/Camshaft Sensor Circuit…
- 10144868Mar 31, 2015Idler Pulley Noise During Cold Start This bulletin involves replacing the idler pulley. The customer may describe a loud high frequency noise that happens within 20 seconds of…
- 10148573Jan 7, 2015Idler Pulley Noise During Cold Start This bulletin involves replacing the idler pulley. The customer may describe a loud high frequency noise that happens within 20 seconds of…
- 10141215Jul 4, 2014Flash: Difficult to Start Engine In Cold Ambient Temps When Using the Block Heater. Also Includes Powertrain System Enhancements This bulletin involves selectively erasing and…
- 10141214Jul 4, 2014Flash: Surge, Shudder or Pulsation at Highway Speeds This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new software.This is an…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 7% |
| 2024 | 3 | 21% |
| 2023 | 5 | 16% |
| 2022 | 10 | 17% |
| 2021 | 22 | 11% |
| 2020 | 7 | 13% |
| 2019 | 25 | 17% |
| 2018 | 27 | 12% |
| 2017 | 28 | 13% |
| 2016 | 16 | 10% |
| 2015 | 38 | 8% |
| 2014 | 74 | 9% |
| 2013 | 116 | 18% |
| 2012 | 141 | 22% |
| 2011 | 180 | 23% |
| 2008 | 8 | 8% |
| 2007 | 14 | 7% |
| 2006 | 48 | 6% |
| 2005 | 113 | 7% |
| 2004 | 326 | 29% |
| 2003 | 12 | 4% |
| 2002 | 10 | 2% |
| 2001 | 13 | 2% |
| 2000 | 29 | 3% |
| 1999 | 31 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2012 Dodge Durango
347 complaintsFuel system
99 complaintsBrakes
75 complaintsSteering
42 complaintsOther or unknown
37 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
37 complaintsAir bags
28 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsExterior lighting
19 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Dodge Durango
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology