Most common 2011 Dodge Durango problems
Share of the 800 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Durango complaints by model year
Best Durango years: 2020, 2024, 2022. Years to avoid: 1999, 2005, 2000, 1998. Compare all years →
2011 Dodge Durango recalls (8)
Electrical system
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 3.6, 5.7, or 6.4 liter engine and previously recalled under NHTSA Recall 14V530 or 15V115.
Remedy: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) will replace the affected fuel pump relay and related wire harness. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed beginning December 19, 2019.
Service brakes
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles had brake booster shields installed under a previous campaign to prevent water from entering the brake booster and limiting braking ability.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster shield, correcting the installation as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November10, 2017.
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. 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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018.
Interior lighting
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured December 3, 2009, to September 1, 2012. 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…
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealer will install clearance for sun visor wiring, protection from sharp edges, and replace the sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016.
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.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical system
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 5, 2010, to July 20, 2011, and equipped with either a 3.6L or 5.7L engine.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump relay with one external to the TIPM, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2014.
Show 2 more recalls
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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any damaged wiring, and install a new sun visor that properly routes the wire, free of charge.
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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a water diverter shield to the booster after the booster has been tested to confirm it can hold an acceptable amount of vacuum pressure.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 5 possible defects involving the 2011 Dodge Durango:
Post 14V-391 Headliner Fires
In response to this investigation, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is conducting a recall to address headliner fires that occur post 14V-391.On December 22, 2015 FCA notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of safety recall 15V-879 to remedy potential headliner fires occurring in 389,252 model year (MY) 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from December 3, 2009 to September…
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early…
Headliner Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified 5 reports of vehicle headliners catching fire at the front of the vehicle near the sun visors on Jeep Grand Cherokees.Customers reported a range of fire conditions ranging from minor overheating to an open flame at the headliner and/or sun visor material while driving the vehicle.
Headliner Fires
On July 1st, 2014 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it would conduct a safety recall to remedy a wiring-related fire hazard on the headliner of approximately 661,888 model year (MY) 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured between January 5, 2010 and December 11, 2013 (see NHTSA Safety Recall 14V-391), with notifications to begin in…
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year.
What 2011 Dodge Durango owners say
Electrical system all 514 →
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact's wife detected an abnormally strong smoke odor inside the vehicle. The windshield wipers were inadvertently activated, and the instrument panel flickered. The battery warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact, his wife, and his mother-in-law were able to exit the vehicle safely. No injuries were sustained. The contact checked under the hood and saw flames coming from the alternator; however, the flames extinguished themselves before the firefighters arrived on the scene. A fire department report was filed. …
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while exiting her residential driveway, driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that several warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that she heard a noise that came from the engine compartment. The contact stopped the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle to perform an inspection under the hood. The contact stated that when the hood was raised, the contact noticed smoke and fire. The contact immediately closed the hood and the fire burned out. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed alternator. The contact was advised that due to the failure and the fire, the PCM, the valve cover gaskets, the battery, and the alternator needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact was informed that due to the fire, the labels for the alternator were not visible. …
Engine & cooling all 185 →
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and became aware there was smoke coming from under the hood. No warning light was illuminated. The contact opened the hood and saw that there were flames coming out of the alternator. The contact stated that her husband blew on the alternator and was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact was unaware if the vehicle was considered a total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated after driving at approximately 40 mph approximately three miles the vehicle was parked. The contact stated there was a burning odor present. The contact was informed that the vehicle was smoking. The contact witnessed smoke emanating from the engine compartment and opened the hood. The contact observed fire emanating from the engine compartment. The fire was extinguished with a fire extinguisher borrowed from a nearby service station. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Fuel & propulsion system all 135 →
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 136,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The electronic throttle control (ETC) warning light was illuminated. After the vehicle cool down the contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 164,000.
2011 Dodge Durango engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD | 13 / 20 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Dodge Durango a good car?
Based on 800 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Durango rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Durango at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Dodge Durango?
The electrical system — 514 complaints, 64% of all complaints for this model year, most often about alternator/generator/regulator. Next are the engine & cooling (185) and fuel & propulsion system (135).
How many recalls does the 2011 Dodge Durango have?
There are 8 recalls for the 2011 Dodge Durango, the most recent from November 14, 2019 (electrical system). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Durango?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2024 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 2005, 2000 and 1998. See the full Dodge Durango years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 Dodge Durango problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 67,000 miles; 27% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.