Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Dodge Durango owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Durango was T-boned on driver's side. Durango was turning left into a parking lot from a county road. Tahoe was going 50-55+mph in the same lane and direction as Durango. Durango put on left turn signal, slowed down to ~10mph, and turned left towards parking lot. At the same time, Tahoe sped up behind Durango, Tahoe tried to pass Durango on the left. Tahoe collided with left side of Durango, pushing it 30+ feet into the ditch. Tahoe drivers airbag deployed. No airbags deployed in the Durango. The Driver of the Durango smashed head/face into door column, causing concussion, whiplash, contusion to forehead/eyebrow requiring 8 stitches.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that after start-up, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the wiring on the inside of the driver's side belt buckle was defective. The contact was informed that the defect was related to the air bag failure and that the buckle needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle and that she would be responsible for repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 224,000.
While driving lights on dash all flash, windshield wipers come on, horn won't work, windows won't work, headlights will turn off, speedometer drops to zero. Problem started a year ago. Took it to dodge and 2 independent auto repair places, with no fix. We were without the car for 4 months while waiting to see if anyone could find a fix-as far as we were told there was none. Car drove fine for a couple of months with some "minor" issues-lights flash speedometer drops- pull over turn car off- everything ok. Today full electric failure! EVERYTHING stated above happened at once, in addition to feeling like I could not accelerate.
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Dodge Durango. While driving various speeds, the contact fell asleep and crashed into a barricade pole. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the head and the front passenger sustained knee injuries; however, medical attention was not required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a towing lot. The contact called stew hansen Dodge Ram Chrysler Jeep at [phone] (located at 12103 hickman rd, urbandale, ia 50323) and was advised to have his insurance company test the air bags. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000. The VIN was not available.
I have different problems, the airbag warning sometime comes on, the car doesn't start sometimes and stall too. The back door open when nobody is in the car. Backup camera doesn't turn on sometimes. The leather cracked in all seats. Last Sunday July, 23 2017 @ 2:00 pm got on fire. Total loss of my vehicle.
While driving, the airbag warning light came on. I took the car to papa's Dodge in new britain, ct. After investigating for 3 days, they told me a wire in the a-pillar was compromised and that car's airbag system May not operate in the event of a crash. I was given two options for repair. The first was to order a new wiring harness that would put the repair cost close to $800. The second was to have the wires spliced and repaired with no guarantee for $450. I opted for the second option and the repair has held up now for a month. This is an obvious design flaw through no fault of my own that could put my family and I at risk in the event of a crash. These wires are compromised by simply opening and closing the door to enter the vehicle. When I contacted Chrysler about reimbursing me for the repair, I was given 4 free oil changes and told there was nothing else they could do.
I was driving home from work at night. My battery light came on. Just got a new battery a few months ago when wiring harness was replaced, because of headliner fire, due to sun visor recall. So, I pull into a parking lot, all kinds of strange lights started flashing car completely lost all power, no lights no emergency lights, nothing! Looked under hood and the alternator was smoking. Called corporate said it was a recall but they do not have a fix for it. I have to come out of pocket and pay for repairs and be reimbursed by Dodge. It also ruined my battery. Car is still being serviced so don't know if anything else was damaged as of yet. I will update.
Driver lost control of 2011 Dodge Durango, traveling approximately 35-45 MPH, and hit a tree head on. Vehicle purchased on 8/25/2011 new, and had approximately 5,000 miles on it at time of collision. Driver was wearing his seat belt. No air bags deployed. All emergency personnel, wrecker driver, body shop, and insurance claims adjuster indicated that there was no reason air bag should not have deployed, the crash definitely hit the sensors. Vehicle still being assessed, but is probably a total loss.
My airbag light kept flashing on and off then came on and has been on every since the seatbelt light doesn't work- and was told the airbag wont work in a crash until I get the part fixed and they are asking alot to fix it at dealership was wondering if it was on recall? Anyone else having issues? Only on my passenger side-.
The air bag light goes off and on and also dings...very annoying. I see other complaints regarding this issue. Should be a recall!!!! I have only owned the vehicle 2 month and have had to replace the cluth fan on the A/C and the visor recall..not happy with Dodge so far. Wish I would have kept my GMC, I had no problems.
Airbag complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2011 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Dodge Durango, 3% of the model year's 800 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Dodge Durango airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2011 Dodge Durango, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Dodge Durango airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.