Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Dodge Durango owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated. Approximately three weeks later, while stopped at a light, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The gear shifter was shifted to park(P) to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the timing chain was blown. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was subsequently taken to an independent mechanic on several occasions, where it was diagnosed and determined that there were failures with Oxygen sensors, head gaskets, oil pan, oil pump, B2S1 heater, that the intake manifold was cracked, there was cylinder #2 misfire, and the circuit harness needed to be repaired, and DTC: P0300 was retrieved. …
I purchased my 2012 Dodge Durango two years ago and it has been one of the most stressful issues I have ever hadz. Two days after purchasing it all the lights lit up my dash board the head lights wouldn't go on the heater or air wouldn't work and my windows in front would not roll down. This usually happens when I start it in the morning but it also will happen when I'm driving I almost got into a accident on the HWY at 530 in the morning coming to work when my head light just shut off. It has been back to the deal shop I bought it 3 dodge dealer ships and my personal mechanic and they can not find out what the issue is. Over the past two years it has been in the shop bout 10-15 times It has been parked more than I have been able to drive it. I am in a loan I can not get out of.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle accelerated independently. As a result, the vehicle crashed into trees and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v1540000 (service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic). The failure mileage was 25,000.
T38 recall: I've taken my vehicle into prestige Chrysler Dodge, las vegas on three separate occasions concerned about loss of power and stalling while turning and have been informed that no parts are available to fix the problem for the t38 recall. Yesterday I was almost rear-ended because my vehicle lost power during a turn off the interstate. They have however, charged me for other issues like an oil pressure sensor (see attached) that has not fixed my loss of power. I called FCA recall and they have sent me to an alternative dealership for a replacement alternator. Prestige Chrysler Dodge of las vegas is refusing to fix known safety issues and advised me that they had tested my alternator and knew it was faulty, yet could not repair it without the recall parts. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V813000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called three unknown dealers and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle independently decelerated from 30 MPH to 10 MPH. The contact stated check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle resumed normal operation after the vehicle was turned off and restarted. The vehicle was taken to independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and the mechanic retrieved the fuel failure detection code. The dealer was contacted, and stated that currently there was no fix for vehicle. …
The check engine bulb is functional (lights up initially when turning on the vehicle), but does not illuminate when there is an engine code reported. I've encountered 2 different problems where the check engine light didn't illuminate. The electronic throttle control was malfunctioning, and the car occasionally went into limp mode, usually on highways while driving straight, sometimes at high speeds, risking a rear end collision. Fortunately the throttle control light illuminated, but there was no check engine light. The cruise control is malfunctioning, disengaging at random times at high speeds on a highway, again risking a rear end collision. No indicator lights illuminate, and there is no check engine light. An engine code read reports error p0572, which indicates a problem with the cruise control, but there is still no check engine light illuminated.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently and all the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle decelerated and then stalled. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called south county Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram at [phone] (7127 s lindbergh blvd, st. Louis, mo 63125) and was informed that they were not accepting recalls. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V435000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 109,850.
I was taking my children to school. We were in morning traffic on a major highway going north. We were in the second farthest left lane. I was driving about 65 MPH when the car suddenly began to slow down on its own. The steering wheel locked up. This time we were in a bulk of traffic and an 18 wheeler was behind us. I turned on our emergency lights, looked to the left and had to stick my left arm out the window to signal to the other cars behind us to let us over to the left shoulder. I was able to guide the vehicle to the left shoulder. The radio was still playing. I turned the car off, sat for a moment to calm down and called my husband. I then restarted the car and continued taking my children to school.
As I turned right, the vehicle once again stalled. The engine turned off, but all the electrical systems continued to work. I placed my foot on the gas to demonstrate that it would not move while the vehicle was still in drive. Then I did the same with the break to demonstrate that it wouldn't respond. I put the vehicle in park with my foot on the brake and the vehicle restarted. My children were in the vehicle and my oldest son recorded until we reached the intended stopping point. The mileage on the vehicle was 94,624. The vehicle had a trigger box / flight recorder, but it quit functioning the previous week when the car also stopped last week.
Several times while driving, the electronic throttle light comes on along with the check engine light and immediately begins to jerk while on the freeway/surface streets. It nearly caused an accident once due to the drastic reduction in power and speed. Service people found nothing wrong and were no help. It has repeated this several times with my kids in the car. When it first happened, we were on a road trip 2200 miles away from home...limited options. Each time we had to stop and rest by turning off engine, waiting/or restarting in neutral. Truly a danger/safety issue and major inconvenience.
Acceleration complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2012 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2012 Dodge Durango, 4% of the model year's 640 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Durango acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2012 Dodge Durango, though it has 10 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 2012 Dodge Durango acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.