Dodge Durango: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Dodge Durango problems by model year, from 4,484 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Worst years to avoid: 2023 (52%, 12 drivetrain complaints), 2020 (51%, 22 drivetrain complaints) and 2022 (50%, 17 drivetrain complaints). 11 of the 13 Dodge Durango years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share.
Best years on this measure: 2018 (27%) and 2014 (31%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
The sharpest change between consecutive years is from 2017 (47%) to 2018 (27%), down 20 points. The complaint pattern shifts at that year, so check which year the car in front of you is.
By raw volume, the 2011 drew the most drivetrain complaints (310 of 1,256 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Dodge Durango year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Durango | high | 40% | 310 | 800 | 7/13 | 8 |
| 2012 Durango | high | 40% | 240 | 640 | 8/13 | 10 |
| 2013 Durango | elevated | 37% | 214 | 640 | 9/13 | 11 |
| 2014 Durango | no elevated signal | 31% | 126 | 782 | 12/13 | 11 |
| 2015 Durango | elevated | 35% | 90 | 503 | 11/13 | 4 |
| 2016 Durango | high | 45% | 45 | 161 | 5/13 | 3 |
| 2017 Durango | high | 47% | 60 | 212 | 4/13 | 2 |
| 2018 Durango | no elevated signal | 27% | 46 | 232 | 13/13 | 5 |
| 2019 Durango | high | 42% | 38 | 142 | 6/13 | 4 |
| 2020 Durango | high | 51% | 22 | 75 | 2/13 | 2 |
| 2021 Durango | elevated | 35% | 36 | 202 | 10/13 | 8 |
| 2022 Durango | high | 50% | 17 | 58 | 3/13 | 7 |
| 2023 Durango | high | 52% | 12 | 37 | 1/13 | 2 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Dodge Durango years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Dodge Durango engine and transmission recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns on the Dodge Durango involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 40 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2011 | 11V487000 | engine and engine cooling | 2012 |
| Nov 2016 | 16V814000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 2016 |
| Aug 2017 | 17V541000 | power train: axle assembly: axle shaft | 2017 |
| May 2018 | 18V280000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2018 |
| Mar 2020 | 20V183000 | power train: driveline: differential unit | 2019 |
| Apr 2022 | 22V284000 | engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (egr valve) | 2021 |
| Nov 2022 | 22V866000 | power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly | 2022 |
| Sep 2023 | 23V640000 | power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift | 2023 |
32 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2012 | 12V391000 | air bags | 2013 |
| Dec 2012 | 12V560000 | seats | 2013 |
| Mar 2014 | 14V104000 | service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip | 2012–2013 |
| Apr 2014 | 14V154000 | service brakes | 2011–2014 |
| Jun 2014 | 14V293000 | vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal | 2014 |
| Jul 2014 | 14V391000 | electrical system: wiring | 2011–2014 |
| Sep 2014 | 14V530000 | electrical system | 2011 |
| Oct 2014 | 14V634000 | electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator | 2011–2014 |
| Oct 2014 | 14V636000 | electronic stability control (esc) | 2014 |
| Oct 2014 | 14V643000 | seat belts | 2014 |
| Feb 2015 | 15V115000 | electrical system | 2012–2013 |
| Jul 2015 | 15V461000 | equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/cd etc. | 2014–2015 |
| Jul 2015 | 15V469000 | suspension: rear | 2015 |
| Dec 2015 | 15V879000 | electrical system: wiring | 2011–2013 |
| Mar 2016 | 16V168000 | service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper | 2015–2016 |
| Jul 2017 | 17V435000 | electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator | 2011–2014 |
| Sep 2017 | 17V572000 | service brakes | 2011–2014 |
| Nov 2017 | 17V741000 | electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator | 2014 |
| May 2018 | 18V332000 | electrical system: wiring | 2014–2018 |
| Aug 2018 | 18V524000 | electrical system: wiring: front underhood | 2018 |
| Nov 2019 | 19V813000 | electrical system | 2011–2013 |
| Sep 2020 | 20V191000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2019–2020 |
| Apr 2021 | 21V280000 | air bags: critical fasteners | 2020–2021 |
| Oct 2021 | 21V842000 | structure: body | 2021 |
| Mar 2022 | 22V140000 | service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module | 2021–2022 |
| Mar 2022 | 22V154000 | steering: rack and pinion | 2021–2022 |
| Jun 2022 | 22V426000 | service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module | 2018–2019 |
| Feb 2023 | 23V115000 | structure: body: hatchback/liftgate | 2021–2022 |
| Jun 2024 | 24V415000 | electronic stability control (esc): control module | 2022 |
| Jun 2024 | 24V436000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2021–2022 |
| Nov 2024 | 24V838000 | service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module | 2018–2019 |
| Aug 2026 | 26V528000 | structure: body: hatchback/liftgate | 2021–2023 |
What the free pages leave out on the Dodge Durango
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Dodge Durango
What are the worst years for the Dodge Durango?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Dodge Durango years are the 2023 (52% of relevant complaints, high), the 2020 (51% of relevant complaints, high) and the 2022 (50% of relevant complaints, high). 11 of 13 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Dodge Durango?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Dodge Durango years are the 2018 (27%) and the 2014 (31%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Dodge Durango have engine problems?
In some years. Across the 13 scored years, 1,256 of 3,339 relevant NHTSA complaints (38%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is engine. The years with an elevated share are 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Is the Dodge Durango reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 11 of 13 Dodge Durango years we score have an elevated complaint share and 2 do not. Pooled across those years, 38% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Dodge Durango?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Dodge Durango years we track, out of 40 in total: 22V284000 (Apr 2022, 2021), 22V866000 (Nov 2022, 2022), 23V640000 (Sep 2023, 2023), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.