Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 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.
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. …
I was in a blizzard a few days ago on the freeway & got caught in a ditch, but thankfully got out. I wasn't going that fast & couldn't due to not being able to see through the snow well so I can drive safely. In order not to crash because there were semi trucks around, I had to whip the steering wheel along with the weight of the car on the snow in order not to crash due to the car being big & it was sliding pretty heavy & somehow a couple things went out of wack after turning my steering wheel. Definitely a scary experience. It is very hard to turn out of no where, as well it's rare at times when it turns just a little smoothly. Also, once when first pulling off, it makes a consecutive clicking noise coming from or by the tires. When I give it acceleration while turning, as well, it makes that clicking sound. …
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an engine misfire with a ticking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer confirmed that the failure was associated with a previous issue with the left side of the engine. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired by the dealer. The contact stated that the failure persisted after a previous engine repair and that the failure persisted. The contact was concerned that the manufacturer was aware of the failure and covered the repair under a warranty instead of replacing the engine. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure via the telephone. The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine overheated after idling for 10 minutes. A mobile mechanic arrived at the residence and replaced the upper and lower coolant hoses and the thermostat; however, the failure persisted, and the coolant reservoir was significantly hot. A second mechanic diagnosed that the head gasket had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another mechanic to be diagnosed. The used car dealer where the vehicle was purchased was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 260,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the temperature gauge was rising and the vehicle was overheating. There was also an antifreeze odor coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled off the road safely and added antifreeze to the coolant reservoir, and then drove home. A local independent mechanic diagnosed that the radiator and thermostat had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 210,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and making a turn or depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle would stall without warning. The contact stated that after each failure, the vehicle would be restarted and operate as designed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 128,450.
All current recalls have been performed on this vehicle. While making left and right hand turns after coasting down from a highway speed (55MPH or greater) the vehicle will stall. We will loose all power steering and brakes. No warning lights come on and everything appears normal except the engine is not running. Something in the fuel or electrical system is intermittently failing. I suspect it to be a "Dumb" device. Something that is told to turn on or off but there is no feedback to the computer to set a code when it fails. The vehicle is available for inspection at any time. This started occurring after one of the fuel pump relay recalls. It happens at random and is hard to duplicate, while we do have video of it, the dealer has been unable to duplicate it. The vehicle shows no codes, or anything wrong when it happens. …
Chrysler has had a known issue with the ignition module nodes on its Dodge vehicles since 2013. However, they have failed to issue a recall on the 2011 and higher Dodge vehicles. My ignition module node is going out in my vehicle and the dealership will not recognize this as any kind of recall and is making me pay for the reprogramming and for the keys to be replaced in addition to a car rental. I am having to pay $800. This is a well-known and documented ongoing Nationwide safety issue. Dodge employees have received the attached bulletin making them aware of this known issue but has failed to initiate a recall. According to their attached safety recall report for previous Dodge years, The Ignition Node (WIN) Module on your vehicle may have unintentional movement of the Frequency Operated Button Ignition Key (FOBIK) from the "ON" to the "Accessory" position while driving. …
Engine complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2011 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 185 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2011 Dodge Durango, 23% of the model year's 800 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system › radiator assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Dodge Durango engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 12 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.