Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
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. …
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from above the driver's side sun visor. The contact lowered the sun visor and saw red coals and black smoke coming from the headliner. The contact pulled into a parking lot to get water to extinguish the fire. Upon returning to the vehicle the contact saw flames coming from inside the vehicle. The emergency services were contacted and notified of the fire. The fire department arrived on the scene. When the fireman pulled down the headliner there were flames underneath the headliner. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police and fire report was filed. There was an injury reported. The fire department determined that the fire was caused by an electrical fault. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. …
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 45-55 MPH in the rain, the instrument panel lights, the interior and exterior lights of the vehicle inadvertently turned off. The contact also stated the defroster failed to work and the windows were foggy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated his wife was able to drive to their residence as it was 1 mile away. The dealer was made aware of the failure and advised that the contact would be responsible for the cost of repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer, however the contact replaced the TIPM himself. The contact stated while his wife was driving, she noticed a burning odor and the vehicle inadvertently lost power. The battery warning light illuminated. …
To whom it may concern, On [redacted] at around [redacted] PST, I was taking my car to get a car wash at Quick Quack Car Wash located in [redacted] . While waiting in line for the other cars to go in, all of sudden I see a huge fire flame shoot out from under the hood. My car was on full fire extremely rapidly, in front of the multiple cars and near the entrance of this car wash, while this car was in fire I ran inside and asked the personnel for a fire extinguisher, to consume the flames coming out of the hood, as I was extremely concerned about the safety and personnel of this location. As soon as I got the extinguisher, I ran towards the car and started spraying powder everywhere I saw flames coming out from top of the hood and under the car, as flames and melted material dropped down from under the car. …
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while reversing into a parking space, the vehicle shut off and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where the fuel pump relay was replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System); however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the fuel pump; however, the failure persisted. The mechanic informed the contact that power was reaching the relay but not exiting the relay, and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V530000 (Electrical System) by another dealer who incorrectly rewired the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that a diagnostic fee was required to perform a diagnostic test. …
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start and drained the battery. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The following day the vehicle was started and driven to the local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed with needing the fuel pump relay to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000. Parts distribution disconnect. …
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled into a parking lot and stated that smoke was entering the cabin of the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and raised the hood. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the alternator. The contact stated that the alternator had melted in some areas. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V435000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was shifted into the park, restarted, and resumed normal functionality. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Parts distribution disconnect. (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT)
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently stop as the forward collision avoidance warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) and took the vehicle to a dealer for the recall repair. Upon return of the vehicle, the contact stated that the failure recurred on three separate occasions. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer where they were unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
Related recalls
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.
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.
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 1 more recall
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.
NHTSA investigations
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…
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.
Electrical complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2011 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 514 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 Dodge Durango, 64% of the model year's 800 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Dodge Durango electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-813 (electrical system, Nov 14, 2019); NHTSA recall 17V-435 (alternator/generator/regulator, Jul 10, 2017); NHTSA recall 14V-634 (alternator/generator/regulator, Oct 8, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Dodge Durango electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 51 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.